Biologists tag Jackson Lake lake trout

Wyoming Game and Fish biologists captured 161 lake trout from Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park this October.

Fish managers set 28 short duration gill nets over four nights from October 15-18.

Lake trout often live to over 50 years of age. All captured fish are marked with a permanent tag so managers can determine annual growth rates.

This year, of 161 captured, 43 fish were recaptured from previous years and 98 new fish were tagged.

For the past two years, managers have noticed an increase in the number of fish caught.

The biggest fish caught this year was 29 pounds. 17 fish weighed over 15 pounds and 40 broke 10 pounds. Two of the fish were tagged 11 years ago. The nets also trapped a Utah Sucker. Native to Wyoming, the fish would have shattered Wyoming records. It was 26 inches long and weight 9.25 pounds. The state record was caught in 2003 and measured 28 inches and 8 pounds 4 ounces.

Jackson Fish Biologist Clark Johnson said he wasn’t sure whether the increased number of fish reflected an increasing population or if crews were just more effective at catching fish. In any case, the population is healthy.

Anglers who catch a tagged fish are asked to measure its length and weight and take a close-up photo of the tag. There is a reward for reporting yellow, pink, or red tags. No monetary awards are attached to green tags.