(Soldotna) – The retention of Arctic char/Dolly Varden is prohibited from Stormy Lake due to continued restoration of native fish stocks. This restriction is effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, January 1 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, December 31, 2021.

Stormy Lake was successfully treated with rotenone to eradicate nonnative northern pike in September 2012. Prior to the treatment, eggs were taken from native Arctic char and reared in the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery. During the summer of 2013, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) staff released the resulting Arctic char fingerling into Stormy Lake. Post-treatment surveys of Stormy Lake to determine if the native Arctic char restoration project was successful are encouraging. Arctic char restored to Stormy Lake are now age eight. As shown by sampling surveys through the fall of 2020, some Arctic char have reached maturity, but only one major spawning event has occurred. Arctic char are a species with slow growth rates and low population densities and it is unknown how long it will take for these fish to become sexually mature and to reestablish natural production in Stormy Lake. To allow for the restoration of native fish in Stormy Lake, it is prudent to prohibit harvest of Arctic char until a sustainable population is established.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka or Assistant Area Management Biologist Jenny Gates at (907) 262-9368.

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