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It is not certain how they appeared, but there has been speculation fishermen who migrated from the Midwest and missed going after them illegally introduced the fish.
The interesting thing is:Get real, lets deal in facts only please. Why propagate a theory some migrant caused this without proof, giving the public ammunition for false blame. From what I remember, years prior to a sizable population of Walleye in Buffalo Bill there was a decline in Cutthroat populations and creel limits were lowered over the years due to this. While an invasive species can have effect on native species it is hard to believe the walleye would not forage on their natural food sources such as the abundant populations of suckers and yellow perch that are in the lake. It would be interesting to see a concise study as to the stomach contents for average walleye forage habits. Maybe by a "non bias" independent entity. Lake trout are also considered an invasive species and have been there many years prior to the walleye, populations of cutthroat were in decline at that time or prior to. Why haven't the same practices been taken to eradicate the lake trout if the only reason cutthroat are in decline is due to an invasive species issue?There has also been a number of other reasons cutthroat populations have been in decline. Snow pack or lack of and over a decade of drought causing lower water levels in streams as well as warmer water temps where the fry nurse before making the journey back to the lake. Some important tributaries over the years were slowed to a trickle during the cutthroat juvenile stage. The fact other invasive species were introduced such as rainbow trout, cut-bows and as they state "other hybrids" has to have an impact. These species also forage on fry when abundant, especially the sizable populations of invasive trout in the North Fork drainage.To have an all out war and bounty on walleye in Buffalo Bill as the cause of the plight to cutthroat seems to be a loss of focus on the real issue, on going, for years prior to walleye introduction. Only to be the "NEW" priority to a problem that has evaded answers for decades. Yet its disturbing to hear an active public announcement promoting the want and waste of any species. Not that I could believe anyone would throw a walleye in a "trash can" other then the promoters of the concept.
Somewhere I have a photo of a 6 to 7 lb walleye that had 15 trout in its stomach that were four to six inches long. The trout were in various stages of digestion, some were pretty far gone while a couple looked like they could swim off if you put them back in the water.There is no doubt walleye eat trout. If the body of water does not hold adequate forage for fish they will prey on whats readily available including eating their own. Survival of the fittest takes over.ClearCreek
well i'm going to make some phone call's to Mr. Jason Burckhardt. at the Cody Office of the Wyoming Game and Fish, I know in the past they have netted them and thrown them away in the garbage.. I would like to ask him if or when they do that to at least think about taking them to one of the present lakes/pond/reservoirs that lye within 30 miles of cody- Deaver, Harrington or Wardell and put them in there. I know there are hundreds of folks that would rather catch walleye in northern wyoming than trout.I'll let you know what I find out and if moving some of them they capture to some other bodies of water is an option.. You to can call and recommend they do something with them other than just haven them thrown on the bank or garbage can..Thanks.........
It has been my personal experience that walleyes netted by Game and Fish employees end up being eaten by Game and Fish employees, I seriously doubt they are being thrown away, so I believe they aren't being wasted. If they are being discarded, I'm sure nursing homes, and soup kitchens would gladly take and should probably be given these fish.
