Adaptive Management and Monitoring of Pyramid Lake, Nevada UT

Pyramid Lake, Nevada, is one of the last remaining strongholds for lacustrine Lahontan cutthroat trout; almost all other large lake populations have undergone population declines or extirpation as a result of habitat degradation, overharvest, and water diversions, all compounded by the stocking of nonnative species. The population depends almost entirely on stocking programs and efficient management. Researchers developed a three-tiered monitoring approach, in which tier 1 represents the most critical and includes monitoring Lahontan cutthroat trout and their primary forage base, tui chub. Lahontan cutthroat trout and tui chub abundance could be monitored annually using two sampling sessions, and the management plan could be adapted as necessary to inform management decisions.