Parks Canada has achieved a significant milestone in the restoration of the westslope cutthroat trout, a threatened fish species, to its native habitat in Banff National Park. Following over ten years of dedicated efforts, the federal agency has reported that these trout are now starting to reproduce naturally and repopulate Hidden Lake near Lake Louise.
Shelley Humphries, an aquatics specialist for Parks Canada’s Lake Louise, Yoho, and Kootenay field unit, expressed excitement over the self-sustainability of the westslope cutthroat trout population. She emphasized the success of the project, citing similar endeavors in the United States that have led to the removal of the species from endangered lists.
The initiative to eradicate brook trout from the area began in 2011 but proved unsuccessful. Subsequently, the use of rotenone, a natural fish poison, effectively eliminated brook trout in 2018 and 2019. Starting in 2021, Parks Canada introduced westslope cutthroat trout eggs into Hidden Lake for four consecutive years, resulting in successful spawning and the appearance of mature fish this year.
Humphries highlighted the organization’s ongoing monitoring efforts and expressed hope that the trout population will expand beyond Hidden Lake to utilize streams and creeks. She stressed the importance of observing the fish spawning in various locations to ensure the sustainability of their growth.
Historically, westslope cutthroat trout inhabited a vast area from the northern to the southern regions of Banff National Park. However, human activities such as recreational fishing and the introduction of non-native species like brook trout led to a decline in their population, restricting them to just 10% of their traditional waterways.
Parks Canada’s restoration efforts aim to rectify past mistakes and safeguard the westslope cutthroat trout, which Humphries believes are salvageable with corrective measures. The agency is also undertaking similar preservation projects in locations such as Helen Lake, Cascade Creek, Katherine Lake, and Corral Creek, with plans to extend conservation efforts to the threatened bull trout species.
Humphries emphasized the ecological benefits of protecting the westslope cutthroat trout for other wildlife species like birds of prey and bears, underscoring Parks Canada’s commitment to preserving endangered species and ensuring their survival.