We Love Nevada: Walker Lake
David releasing a Lahontan Cutthroat Trout in Pyramid (not Walker) Lake.
Local website “Fish the West” has a post today about fishing at Walker Lake, and the challenges the lake’s ecosystem faces.
As my time on the water has decreased in the midst of all the campaigning, it’s nice to know Nevada’s still out there waiting for me. I appreciate sites like this, as well as the regular fishing reports I’ve been getting from friends for spots like Pyramid Lake (fishing dropped off after the New Year’s flooding, picked backed up, and now may be on hold again with this recent round of weather.)
Walker Lake is one more reason why so many of us love this state. And, similar to other things we love about Nevada, we’ve got to protect it as our state continues to change. Fish the West sums up the challenges:
The native Lahontan cutthroat trout still inhabit Walker Lake, but the fishery is now maintained by hatchery stocks. River barriers prevent any natural reproduction. Upstream water demands have decreased lake levels by 130 feet since the turn of the century and the decreased water levels have led to increased levels of dissolved solids (salts) and increased the alkalinity to near lethal limits for all fish life in the lake. An increase in lake elevations or a decrease in dissolved solid levels is needed to secure the future of the lake.
Check out their post for more on Walker Lake and how you can work to protect it. Be sure also to visit their photo gallery.
March 1st, 2006 at 5:04 pm
If there is more that I can do to help promote the cause for saving Walker Lake through fishthewest.com - please let me know.
March 2nd, 2006 at 9:47 pm
Walker Lake will be up for discussion at the next meeting of the interim
legislative commission on the protection of “Natural Treasures” next Friday the 10th, at the El Cap in Hawthorne. Here’s the agenda (pdf), and the meeting notice. Representatives from the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, NDOW, and Senator Reid’s office will be making presentations on what can be done to improve the situation at Walker Lake.
It all comes down to water, and the need for more of it to get to the lake. How we get it is, of course, the problem. The Walker Lake Working Group is definitely the group to connect with for how to get more involved, either in on-the-ground efforts or advocacy of any initiatives to obtain more water for the lake.
Thanks for stopping by and keep it up the great work at Fish the West. It’s a great site. Just don’t give away too many spots.
March 7th, 2006 at 8:50 pm
We only talk about the spots that the Nevada Department of Wildlife talks about…all other ‘Secret Spots’ are still ‘Secret’. Thanks again!
April 20th, 2006 at 8:24 pm
I heard we have the same friends in common.
April 21st, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Yes we do!