Bonneville Cutthroat Trout Millcreek Canyon
In partnership with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (“DWR”), the Stonefly Society has been involved in a multi-year project to reintroduce and repopulate native Bonneville Cutthroat trout into Millcreek canyon, an urban resource near Salt Lake City that is popular for hiking, biking, picnicking, snowshoeing, skiing, and, of course, fly fishing. The project started over 4 years ago and, all along the way, members of the Stonefly Society have contributed volunteer hours & funds to make the project a success. On September 17, 2019, a crew of Society volunteers assisted the DWR with an annual “sampling” of the health and size of the trout population in the creek. As the morning storm clouds parted, and the sun came out, Society members used nets to capture trout that were temporarily electro-shocked along a predetermined section of the lower creek. All of the trout captured were Bonneville Cutthroats, including some very small fry which appear to be offspring of some of the original natives that were planted a couple of years ago. The trout were healthy, colorful and had an average size of 9-10 inches. As a result, the project appears to be a success. Everyone is hopeful that the population of these local, native cutthroats will continue to thrive.
