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So in light of this, I would like to ask (genuine question - I don't know the answer to this - want to see what everyone thinks), what would be involved in undertaking a high-profile "rehab" project on a lake like Cow? It sounds from the post quoted here that Cow was much more popular as a trout fishery, than it is as perch/pike. So would it be a stretch to think that the angling community would generally be supportive of trying to restore Cow back to being a trout fishery - just Cow Lake, as a first step (for now)? Pike/perch crowd can go to wherever the pike/perch are otherwise.

Don, as usual, despite your impression, on a basic, fundamental level, we agree. For invasives, you say puhtata, I say poe-tay-toe! (Anyone catch the LOTR reference there?) Therefore, by your logic, Brown and Brook trout are invasives as well, as you well know. Lots of native fish in Red Deer / Clearwater - North Sask water basins before the Europeans showed up. The minnows, whitefish, bull trout, suckers, walleye and pike weren't stocked, to my knowledge (by all means clarify the facts if I am wrong...). Funny how you'll tolerate brown and brook, but you have your hackles raised for native-yet-invasive cutts in nearly vacant niche like the Upper Ram... And I know of Cow lake's potential. Another example; Crawling Valley was predicted to have the next rainbow trout record; but according to Kyle McNeilly it was always intended to be a transitional fishery before pike-walleye-perch-whitefish took hold. Yes, I know it was a different intent than Cow, I am simply pointing out that I am well aware of the fertility levels and potential of many of our pothole fisheries. It is sad indeed. Wasn't it Mr. McNeilly also promoting the stabilization of lake levels of Upper and Lower Kananaskis lakes as well? That those 2 lakes have / had the potential to grow huge trout if TransAlta could just stop messing with the littoral zone? Again, correct me if I am wrong on that account. But that was told to me as well from Jim Stelfox. Lots of pothole fisheries going to waste. And, to completely circle back to the original point, zero retention on perch ain't solving nothing until someone cites me some studies or evidence of this much ballyhooed "deterrent effect" improving the quality of our stocked fisheries. Otherwise it's just game of regulatory one-upmanship of "oh yeah, you did that, so we'll do this to show you!" My take anyways... I'll say no more on this dead horse; topic officially beaten to death! -Mike P.S. Anyone know what happened to Kyle McNeilly? After he stopped writing for the AFG, he kinda fell off the face of the earth... P.P.S. No brainer that trophy stillwater trout fisheries attract alot of attention. 20 boats on Muir mid-week by my count last spring...too bad the province isn't quite dialed into this yet in an "all-in" basis...

Once the perch are present, only rotenone will get rid of them. Years of netting in Sundance (Calgary) did nothing to decrease numbers. Now other lakes have been vandalized with perch and some with Prussian carp. There is a very large segment of the population who wants fish meat and have no idea of what stunting is.

Smitty, Perch are invasive as are trout in lakes where they did not occur naturally. The question that should be asked, which lake stocking species draws the most Anglers? All of the lakes with the exception of Burnstick and Swan in the Rocky area were fish free. When trout were in Cow Lake you couldn’t find a place to park. Last year, opening day with illegally stocked perch and Govt stocked pike, there were a whole two of us fishing. Cow Lake raised trout to 15 lbs. Sad - what a waste of Fishing opportunity. Don