CASPER, Wyo. — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is seeking the public’s assistance in finding the person or persons responsible for illegally introducing yellow perch into Saratoga Lake. The species is not native to the upper North Platte River watershed.
Game and Fish said that the yellow perch are likely to disperse downstream into other water bodies, including Seminoe, Pathfinder, Alcova and Gray Reef reservoirs, as well as into the Sweetwater and Medicine Bow rivers. The spread of the illegally introduced species “could do irreparable damage to the sport fisheries and native fish species,” the department said.
“Illegal fish introductions are a serious problem throughout the country,” Game and Fish Chief of Fisheries Alan Osterland said. “This particular introduction is concerning given its location and the potential for the species to spread throughout the North Platte River drainage. Game and Fish takes illegal introductions seriously because of the potentially detrimental impacts to Wyoming’s natural resources.”
The yellow perch was discovered in Saratoga Lake during routine Game and Fish sampling in 2021.
“This species was not present anywhere within the North Platte River upstream of Glendo Reservoir, so we know it didn’t arrive in Saratoga Lake by happenstance,” Laramie Region Fisheries Biologist Chance Kirkeeng said. “The nearest neighboring populations are in the Upper Laramie River drainage, including Lake Hattie, or in the South Platte drainage, including Crystal and Granite Reservoirs. Someone put these fish in Saratoga Lake — and that has a serious impact on the fishery.”
Game and Fish said that a high abundance of yellow perch can lead to slower growth rates in other species due to increased competition for food. The department said that it recently abandoned trout management efforts at Black Hills Power and Light Reservoir near Newcastle after illegally introduced yellow perch ended up taking over the water. At Saratoga Lake, Game and Fish has cut off the fresh water flow in an effort to prevent the species from moving into the North Platte drainage and is assessing further response.
“Time and resources spent on illegal fish introductions could be better spent on managing other fisheries in the region,” Osterland said. “This is a frustrating and disappointing discovery for anglers and anyone who enjoys recreating at Saratoga Lake.”
Game and Fish asked that anglers fishing at Saratoga Lake harvest as many yellow perch as they legally can, including smaller fish that they might not otherwise choose to keep;. Anglers are able to keep up to 50 yellow perch under state regulations.
The department is also asking the public to submit any information they may have about the illegal introduction of the yellow perch into Saratoga Lake.
“To submit information, contact the Stop Poaching Hotline at (1-877-WGFD-TIP). A reward is available and your identity will remain confidential,” Game and Fish said. “Illegal fish stockings are a high misdemeanor punishable with up to one year in jail and fines up to $10,000.”
