Paiute Cutthroat in Silver King Creek

Paiute Cutthroat Trout have survived for thousands of years exclusively in the watershed of Silver King Creek and its isolated tributaries in Alpine County. By the early 1970's, Paiute cutthroat trout had reached such low population levels that they were near extinction. The US Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the Paiute cutthroat trout be placed on the Federal Endangered Species list.

The main causes of the Paiute's demise were; hybridization, competition with introduced trout species, and habitat degradation caused by poor range management. The introduction of rainbow trout to Silver King Creek by unnamed sources in the 1950's and 60's had caused hybridization and the loss of important pure Paiute cutthroat genetics. Small tributaries to Silver King Creek still hold a pure strain of Paiute cutthroat trout. Hybridization can be a double- edged sword, by not only losing important genetics, but also the competition for valuable food sources.

Sheepherders have utilized Silver King Creek since the late 1800's and cattle grazing began in the 1950's. However, poor range management has led to extensive habitat degradation.

Finally, in 1985, the United States Forest Service (USFS) developed a Paiute Cutthroat Trout Recovery Plan that involved the California Department of Fish and Game, and Trout Unlimited volunteers, spearheaded by the North Bay Chapter. The plan focused on habitat restoration above Llewellyn Falls at Silver King Creek. From 1986 to 1993, over 400 TU volunteers worked tirelessly on restoration projects to improve the Paiute habitat. In-stream log structures were installed in the creek to stabilize the bank and reduce siltation, and solar powered exclusionary fencing was erected to prevent further habitat degradation from grazing. The majority of hybridized fish in the area above the falls were removed through electro-shocking and transported to high mountain lakes. Almost ten years later, all the hard work resulted in an increased population of only pure strain Paiute Cutthroat trout above Llewellyn Falls.

Trout Unlimited continues to spearhead the work on Silver King Creek while relying on the cooperative agencies for scientific and logistical support. We are planning the next phase of the project in conjunction with the agencies and will provide an abundance of volunteer labor as well as funding for equipment, materials, and transportation. The project for this year will extend the range of the Paiute trout below Llewellyn Falls to an additional six miles of native stream. The same successful methods will be used as in 1993. Most of the hybridized fish will be removed by electro-shocking (see photo at right). The fish will be moved downstream below the barrier falls for angling. Any remaining hybrids will be eradicated from the six miles of stream. Healthy Paiute trout will then be reintroduced to their original habitat. A successful reintroduction of the Paiute Cutthroat Trout to the entire length of Silver King Creek could ultimately result in the Paiute Cutthroat being the first fish species removed from the Federal Endangered Species List.

Video, photos, and printed word in the local news media will document the project, and press releases will be sent to the larger regional media.  Our membership will be kept abreast of plans and progress in "Trout Tactics", our chapter newsletter. Articles will appear in the Trout Unlimited of California state newsletter, California Cast, as well as in Trout, TU National's magazine that has a circulation of over 125,000 nationwide. With the involvement of members of the local community and the continuing cooperation with governmental agencies and the scientific community, the news of our efforts will spread.

Above all, the greatest benefit will be to the survival of the Paiute Cutthroat trout by restoring the species to their native runs and ultimately being de-listed from the Endangered Species List, a first in fisheries.

Detailed Project Scope
The Paiute Trout recovery project has taken many years and much dedicated hard work by Trout Unlimited volunteers and cooperative agencies to successfully reintroduce the Paiute to a portion of their native range in the Sierras. The California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has invited the North Bay Chapter of Trout Unlimited to resume the project's final phase in late summer. The target date is August 23 and 24, 2003.

The project site is located in a remote wilderness area where vehicles are prohibited.  Logistically, this means that a local pack station, experienced in the Silver King Creek wilderness area, will be contracted to transport all the necessary equipment, gear, and supplies to and from the site by pack horses. Completion of the project will take two full work days by 30 Trout Unlimited volunteers and 10 agency and support staff.

To limit human impact in this pristine area, the Forest Service limits the number of volunteers to 30. Hearty meals and refreshments were provided on both days.

All work parties will assemble on Friday afternoon at the designated pack station. The volunteers will hike over seven miles of rugged terrain into Silver King Creek to set up camp, followed by the pack train, comprised of two strings of pack horses, each horse carrying a maximum 150 pound load.

Early each morning, the project will commence with electro-shocking of the hybridized non-native fish in the designated six-mile section of Silver King Creek that starts at a natural fish barrier and extends upstream to Llewellyn Falls. There will be two fish removal teams starting downstream. Each team consists of two shockers (this process is done by trained professionals only), six netters and eight baggers. The crew, wearing protective waders, creates a net-enclosed area in a portion of the creek to be electro-shocked.  The electro-shocker is a backpack device that sends a small current of electricity through a hoop placed in the water, which stun the fish long enough to be captured by nets. The netting crew captures the fish and places them in large water filled containers. When there is a substantial catch of the fish, the bagging crew will load the catch into coolers for transport by horseback to areas below the next natural fish barrier, or to nearby lakes as quickly as possible to insure the survival of the fish.

We look forward, in great anticipation, to achieving the goals set forth for this project—

to return the Paiute Cutthroat Trout to their native habitat, thereby increasing their numbers in the wild to the extent that will lead to their eventual de-lising as an endangered species.

From its very inception, the North Bay Chapter has been committed to grassroots volunteer projects that have produced strong public support over the past four decades. Our mission to protect, conserve, and restore native fish habitat and their watersheds has been a proven success.

Article and photos courtesy of the North Bay Chapter