Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  •  

Cutthroat Trout Return To Truckee River

  •  Ky Plaskon 
Monday, June 9, 2014 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Ky Plaskon / Capital Public Radio

Liksa Heki with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Ky Plaskon / Capital Public Radio

The Truckee River was once home to enormous 40-pound Pilot Peak Cutthroat Trout. Over-fishing devastated the population.

But the species was kept alive in fish hatcheries. In 2006 they were reintroduced into Pyramid Lake, which is the terminus of the Truckee.

This year those fish matured reproductively and in April, they dug spawning nests and the females laid eggs.

“They can take advantage of habitat and in stream flow and make it happen," says Lisa Heki with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "They are a wild strain and they still know how to do it.”

Heki says the trout are making a comeback even in a drought.

“The Pyramid Tribe has done a phenomenal job of maintaining and protecting that ecosystem," said Heki. "I mean without their dedication to security, their resource, this opportunity wouldn’t be here.”

The trout can grow to be 40 pounds. Heki says, now it is up to federal and state fisheries managers to expand breeding grounds all the way to Lake Tahoe.

Another challenge is preventing the interbreeding with non-native species.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

 lake tahoecutthroat troutPyramid TribeUS Fish and WildlifeLisa Hekienvironment

Ky Plaskon

Former Contributing Sierra/Reno Reporter

Ky was a contributing reporter to Capital Public Radio through June 2015.  Read Full Bio 

 Email Ky Plaskon

More Environment Stories

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

How California’s record snowpack plays a part in wildfire season

May 30, 2023

AP Photo/Terry Chea

Almond hulls in your coffee? Some growers look to upcycle almond byproducts into food

May 25, 2023

Lauren Justice / Cal Matters

California becomes the first state to phase out toxic hexavalent chromium

May 30, 2023

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a Tip / Story Idea
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.