I remember the opinions of many when Mantua was opened up to bait fishing and many were upset and felt this would ruin a great fishery. I have been going quite often over the last ten years and can't help but be impressed with the fishing everytime I go. The gills seem to be doing well and it seems like everyone is having a lot of success and great times with their young children or grandchildren. TubeDude posted some nice pics of his perch and gills recently too and his grandkids are having a ball. I went there again last week with my young girls and they all caught several gills from shore. I was lucky enough to catch a few bass while we were at it. What is the overall opinion of others? Maybe I am looking through rose-colored glasses?
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I think that overall, Mantua has been a pretty good place to go fishing. Especially when you factor in bringing the kids/family.
I also think that it has to be managed better, because lets face it, times change. It seems to me that in the 12 yrs. I've lived in Cache Valley, the fishing pressure for that little pond has really picked up. I predict it to keep growing, like most areas in the state.
Some people have noticed stunted growth going on with the 'gills.
Tubedude and OFT discussed how improvements could be made. One idea that OFT had, was plant a few predator fish in there, possibly some Pike. Walleyes might work as well. The idea here, is that if some of the population of 'gills are reduced, maybe the big 'uns will make their return.
I would like to see more trout ('bows and browns), stocked in there myself, and some of you may or may not agree with that idea. That pond is a shallow one, and a bigger trout population might not take hold. A few browns will help curb the population of 'gills though.
My .02 cents.
D
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I enjoy taking the kids myself. I noticed the last time we went most of the fish were a bit small. We took all the perch we caught even the tiniest of the tiny for bait. But we did throw back most of the gills. We only kept the ones that swallowed the hook.
All in all there are places I take the kids (Mantua) and places I take my friends (Willard). It really depends on the fish catching mood of the people going.
Mantua is on my list of good fishing places.
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