Saratoga Lake is managed as a trout fishery and is not stocked with any cool- or warm-water fish, including yellow perch. Yellow perch could escape Saratoga Lake and enter the upper reaches of the North Platte River drainage. They are likely to disperse downstream to other waters in the watershed – including Seminoe, Pathfinder, Alcova, and Gray Reef reservoirs, and the Sweetwater and Medicine Bow rivers – where they could do irreparable damage to the sport fisheries and native fish species. 

Game and Fish is currently assessing the response at Saratoga Lake. The department has cut off the freshwater flow to the lake to prevent yellow perch from moving into the North Platte drainage. Check back frequently for updates on how Game and Fish addresses the illegal introduction.