The state is relying on the success at Little Green Pond as a source for whitefish eggs, so additional lakes can be stocked in the future. The long-term goal is to establish at least 10 self-sustaining populations of round whitefish in the state.

"I'm hopeful that within five to 10 years, numbers will be sufficient so they can at least be delisted from endangered to threatened," Preall said, adding that the species may one day be a popular choice for anglers, who are prohibited from taking round whitefish today.

Round whitefish have a silver coloration. Their body shape is similar to a trout, but the lips are turned down similar to a sucker fish. They predominantly feed on insects and snails that live on the lake bottom.

E-mail Jeff Meyers at:

jmeyers@pressrepublican.com