Mount Rainier’s lakes originally did not have any fish but were ecosystems rich with amphibians. Though fish stocking ended in 1972, mountain lakes that were stocked with fish still have altered aquatic ecosystems, with fish replacing amphibians as the top predator and altering the food web. Amphibian behavior is known to be significantly altered in lakes with fish presence, and for some species, declines have been reported. This is particularly concerning in the context of climate change, as several studies have indicated that currently fishless shallow lakes that provide habitat for amphibians are in danger of drying out. Many of the deep water lakes that could provide potential refuge for amphibians are filled with fish.
Mount Rainier National Park is targeting 10 lakes within the park to conduct complete fish removal to restore habitat for native amphibians. This is accomplished primarily by gill-netting the lakes for multiple years in a row until fish eradication is complete.
Anglers are also encouraged to fish in Mount Rainier’s lakes. Learn more about fishing regulations.
NPS Photos of park staff preparing a gill-net and recording observations of a fish caught in a Mount Rainier lake. ~kl
