Pinedale Fish Biologists have been busy sampling several Pinedale area rivers and streams in recent weeks. Pinedale Fish Biologist Pete Cavalli, along with Fish Technicians Ben Wiley and Kristy Smith, collected trout for a population estimate on the New Fork River below the confluence with Pine Creek. Pete reports that trout habitat in this section of river is in good condition and produced many big fish. The largest fish captured was a brown trout weighing 7.7 pounds.


Pinedale Fish Technicians Kristy Smith and Ben Wiley hoist heavy nets as they electrofish on the New Fork River south of Pinedale recently.

Pinedale Fish Biologist Darren Rhea, again along with Ben and Kristy, sampled the 40-Rod section of the Green River, which generally sees the highest use. Darren reported that sampling conditions quite favorable, primarily due to low water levels, which led to the highest total catch in recent history. Most impressive was the catch of brown trout 24 inches and above, which numbered in the dozens.

The fish crew will continue sampling area lakes until rivers and streams clear and they can begin sampling those waters.