Yellowstone Lake and the Yellowstone River support the largest remaining inland population of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The National Park Service has been protecting this population from the predatory threat for three decades now. Gillnetting to suppress non‑native lake trout began in 1994, the same year they were first discovered in Yellowstone Lake, with early removal efforts expanded in 2001. Based on the data provided by Yellowstone Forever, the official fundraising partner for the park, it was noted that over 4.9 million lake trout have been harvested from Yellowstone Lake up until 2024, with 264,650 in 2024 only. This article outlines the history of the invasion, its progression and outcomes, and presents findings from a recent 2024 study that identify additional obstacles in the process.
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