The Decline of Cow Lake, A Once-Great Fishery

The Issue:

Cow Lake was once an exceptionally productive rainbow trout fishery and a valued destination for anglers of all ages and skill levels. However, subsequent years brought on the illegal introduction of yellow perch and the associated decline of the trout population as well as the eventual disappearance of the once-prominent fishery.

Presently, the lake also suffers from lagging interest from accomplished anglers, inhibiting the economic potential of the area while also placing increased strain on smaller surrounding sites.

The Potential:

In the early 1990’s it was assessed that in a two month period, Cow Lake provided a revenue base for the Rocky Mountain House area to the tune of $147,000.00 dollars in just a two month period. If that was extrapolated to dollar values in 2010 it would translate to around $450,000.00 in a two month period, or roughly $2,700,000.00 annually. Imagine what the real revenues would be once a consistent trout fishery was re-established and became very popular!

Objective:

• To foster the economic and ecological sustainability of Cow Lake
• To restore the quality angling experience of Cow Lake

Both of these objectives can be achieved by prioritizing the desirable population of trout via the elimination of recently introduced species (perch, pike) and increased annual restocking

Our Proposed Solution:

• Temporarily reduce water levels to make introduction of rotenone and winterkill more efficient in curtailing undesirable fish populations
• If necessary, take further steps to aid the elimination of introduced species:
  • Dredging
  • Strategic introduction of triploid species (blackwater rainbow and brown trout) that will target any remaining pike and perch
  • Leaving pike and perch retention limits open to consumptive anglers
• The restoration and restocking of trout to the fishery with suitable catch size & retention limits in place.