Whirling disease hit Colorado rainbow trout so hard they no longer can reproduce widely on their own.
Four years ago, a researcher investigating rainbow trout genetics spotted an isolated group at the bottom of a rocky chasm in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River that seemed able to withstand the disease.
The discovery of these disease resistant trout prompted Colorado Parks and Wildlife to launch a captive breeding program with the hope of creating a self-sustaining population.
LINK (via: The Denver Post)
“Whirling disease hit Colorado rainbow trout so hard they no longer can reproduce widely on their own.”
And if Colorado hadn’t been so obtuse about not stocking fish known to come from hatcheries with Whirling Disease when it first hit, they would have saved a lot of money and wouldn’t be in the situation they are in now. Look at Montana.
Thanks, Luke, we should have pointed that out.