North Cascades National Park Ends Fish Stocking

Every year a group volunteers carry buckets full of baby trout to add to the alpine lakes for visiting anglers. That was until 2009 when they were told that it wasn't going to happen. Park officials are no longer allowing this practice, which has been around longer than the park. They may also kill the remaining fish unless Congress tells them otherwise.

The issue at hand is what it means to be "natural" in the park and that introducing fish to these lakes that never had them to begin with runs counter to the parks mission to "maintain and preserve ecosystems in their natural state". The argument about whether there is need for it to be legislated is ongoing between anglers and groups that help to stock the lakes and the park itself. Stocking lakes was previously done in Yellowstone, Mt. Rainer, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, but is no longer allowed. Park officials have been trying for years to phase out the stocking and get in line with national parks policy.

Congress is working on a bill to give the park control over the issue, but it is unsure when the issue will be resolved. Until that happens the stocking will be stopped. The argument by anglers is that it is a legitimate recreational activity such as hiking, since the area has had a stocking program in place for over 40 years and has had such activity dating back to the late 1800's. Until Congress acts it will be a waiting game for the volunteers to see if they will once again hike into the lakes and stock them, or if the program is finished for good.