SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF GAME, FISH AND PARKS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 8, 2005
CONTATCT: Greg Simpson, 394-2391
GFP To Hold Public Meeting On Rapid Creek Trout Decline
PIERRE, S.D. - Game, Fish and Parks officials have scheduled a public meeting to address the recent decline of trout numbers in Rapid Creek. The meeting will start at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 15, at the Rimrock Community Club.
"The topic of discussion will be the recent decline of the trout fishery in Rapid Creek from Pactola Basin downstream to Canyon Lake," said Fisheries Biologist Greg Simpson of Rapid City. "The trout populations, especially the adult brown trout, have declined. The result is that a once self-thriving, wild brown trout population has too few adult fish to meet anglers expectations. In the fall of 2004 GFP began stocking several sections of Rapid Creek with rainbow trout. This summer and fall, GFP biologists will monitor the brown trout populations and evaluate the success of the stocking program on Rapid Creek."
"The decline in trout numbers has prompted the department to initiate stocking of trout after a fifteen
year hiatus," added GFP Fisheries Biologist Jack Erickson of Rapid City. "Numbers of trout stocked (both past and present) and their timing will be discussed at this meeting. Finally, we will discuss the use in radio transmitters to determine fish movements after stocking."-30-