Parks Canada has reported a positive development for a threatened fish species making a comeback to its original environment in Banff National Park. Following over ten years of effort, the federal agency announced that westslope cutthroat trout are starting to naturally spawn and repopulate Hidden Lake, near Lake Louise. Shelley Humphries, an aquatics specialist with Parks Canada’s Lake Louise, Yoho, and Kootenay field unit, expressed satisfaction that the fish are now self-sustaining. She highlighted the success of the endeavor, citing similar achievements in the United States leading to species delistings.
The initiative to remove brook trout began in 2011 but proved unsuccessful. Subsequently, the use of rotenone, a natural fish poison, effectively eradicated brook trout in 2018 and 2019. Eggs were introduced into Hidden Lake annually from 2021 for four consecutive years, resulting in successful spawning and the appearance of fully grown fish this year. While ongoing monitoring is planned, the ultimate goal is to observe the fish utilizing streams and creeks beyond Hidden Lake.
The westslope cutthroat trout, which once thrived across Banff National Park and southern Alberta, faced habitat disruption due to recreational fishing and the introduction of non-native species like brook trout in the 1900s. This interference limited the westslope cutthroat trout’s presence to only about 10% of its traditional waterways. Parks Canada is rectifying this historical mistake through conservation efforts, viewing the fish as highly salvageable. The agency is undertaking similar conservation projects in various locations, including Helen Lake, Cascade Creek, Katherine Lake, and Corral Creek, while also planning to address the conservation of threatened bull trout.
Shelley Humphries emphasized the ecological benefits of these efforts, stating that they can positively impact other species like birds of prey and bears more than the presence of brook trout. Protecting endangered species is a primary objective for Parks Canada, with a firm commitment to safeguarding at-risk species and ensuring they do not disappear without a fight.
