[cool][#0000ff]There was a notice by Brett Prettyman in the Salt Lake Tribune this morning about the upcoming early RAC meetings...where all new ideas are to be submitted for review through the summer and voted on in September. [url "http://www.sltrib.com/ci_12256223"]LINK TO ARTICLE[/url][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been thinking that there are a couple of things on my personal agenda I would like to bring up, and I would be interested in hearing more about a couple of the issues mentioned in the article. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]So...I will be going down to the Springville meeting on the 19th. Anybody who wants to ride share (or drive) can PM me and we will split ride expenses.[/#0000ff]
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Lowering the limit from 4 to 2 fish on the community ponds is a good idea; however, IMNSHO a bigger problem is anglers keeping way over their limit. This is done in the same trip or the same angler taking a limit home and immediately returning to the water and keeping multiple limits in the same day. The obvious solution is more enforcement; however, more enforcement is probably cost prohibitive. Perhaps having the fishing-related fines go back into funding enforcement costs (correct me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that all fines go into the general fund) might help.
They should change the rules and only allow anglers to fish with one rod on community ponds.
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[cool][#0000ff]What you did not say...but probably meant..was that the regulations are for those who pay attention to them and obey them. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Most of us who have visited the community fisheries have witnessed large groups who show up right after stocking and block of the best areas while their group keeps catching (and keeping) fish after fish. And then members leave for awhile...with a lot of fish...and are seen to return within an hour or so and resume fishing. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It is unfortunate that there are some folks who view the planted waters as their own private fish market. The kids in the Youth Fishing Program often have their sessions on these lakes several days after the last plantings and sometimes fail to catch a single fish after they have all been caught out already.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Enforcement is a major weakness of the program. Officers are stretched thin and there are too many violators to catch. Not sure if "rerouting" the fines for violators directly to the local program would help a lot. But as long as all the moneys go into the general fund...for miserly allotment back to the Division...DWR is going to have to try to make the money go a lot farther than it should have to.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I would definitely be in favor of a one rod rule for the community ponds...along with the 2 fish limit. These ponds are a tremendous potential resource but are being grossly abused by a few fish hogs.[/#0000ff]
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Thanks for the link, Pat.
I have been a big supporter of the lower limits at Community Ponds.
Lowering the limits and stocking fewer fish, but more often,
will go a long way in helping Community Ponds become more consistent fisheries.
As far as illegal limits go, it's up to us to turn in those that poach.
If we see someone taking more that a limit of fish anywhere or anytime, get as much info as you can and then call it in.
You can call the DWR or Local Law Enforcement to report poaching.
I like the release of all bass idea, because these ponds are too small for much natural reproduction to be counted on.
The ponds in Saint Gorge have had these regs for years and you can catch some decent LMB in their ponds.
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[cool][#0000ff]Another excellent proposal...a "NO BASS" restriction on the ponds. Even after DWR has more bass available for stocking, they will never be in the numbers of trout or catfish. And, they do not seem to last long among the happy harvesters.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]A couple of weeks ago my wife and I were taking a casual walk around Willow Park Pond. Not many trout being caught, but those that were caught were often quickly taken over to nearby grills where they were placed for quick cooking and consumption. I saw one "Anglo" almost get assaulted when he released a trout his small son brought in.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As we walked around the lake, we looked out and saw 3 largemouth bass...about 14" - 16" swimming slowly near shore in the still cold water. They were spied by a group of the "predominant racial group" fishing the lake that day and the chase was on. These guys were running down the bank, running over other anglers, casting lures and trying to snag those bass. Thankfully, they did not succeed before the fish moved out into deeper water or I would have likely been involved in an international incident.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In short, there are too many "subsistence" anglers fishing for food out of the ponds. That is wrong. A fishing license is not the equivalent of food stamps.[/#0000ff]
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I was told of a guy who lives less than a mile from my house keeping over 100 trout from Bountiful Lake last year after one planting. He was generous and shared his take with all of his neighbors (it was a neighbor who told me about it after the fact).
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I'll do my best to be there. I'll find ya there Pat since I live close.
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This is a great thread with some fine posts.
From what I'm hearing, these community fishery abuses are quite commonplace? Unfortunate, but not surprising...
It seems to me that sufficient enforcement by the DWR is not likely to happen because of resource limitations - an unfortunate reality. So what can be done? A common and productive solution when there isn't enough law enforcement is for local interested parties to organize themselves into groups that are assisted and encouraged by local law enforcement agencies. The cell phone is an incredibly powerful communication tool and can go a long way in assisting with law enforcement efforts.
Why couldn't the DWR sponsor a Neighborhood Watch type of program for community fisheries? Of course, local volunteers would have to provide the manpower, but they could be assisted in organizing, training, and educating the citizenry to greatly expand enforcement efforts.
Or, maybe the mechanism is already in place (Neighborhood Watch), but it simply needs to expand its vision to natural resource law enforcement as well. Maybe a solution could be as simple as a partnering effort by the DWR with exisiting enforcement efforts.
Just thinkin' out loud.
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[cool][#0000ff]Good observations & ideas.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I think most true sportsmen are upset by the abuses they witness on the community lakes. And most of us are frustrated by the seeming lack of enforcement. We realize there are limitations in manpower and priorities. But there has to be some kind of solution. Maybe a partnering or "designated hitter" program could be implemented.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The cell phone is about the only resource we have to report and catch some of the offenders. But, there have been too many instances where BFTers have called in on violators and waited for over an hour without having anybody show up to nab the bad guys. And, just getting a license number is good, but not good enough. It would help if we also had pics of the violation. The big problem is that you never know who is "carrying" and if they are wacko enough to prove the old saying that "Dead men tell no tales."[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]This is definitely a topic worth getting everybody's input on...either through emails to the DWR or at the RAC meeting.[/#0000ff]
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Most fisherman, if they see something wrong or see people doing something on the inappropriate side should be pretty quick to stop it. I would rather approach the party that is abusing the fishing than wait an hour. It should be all of our responsibilities to keep this from happening. As far as carrying goes......... I dont see that as a problem, havent heard alot of gang violence at clinton pond. Just dont aggravate any situations and if any testosterone levels start to go up than simply walk away and at least you know you did your part to try to help. This is the tactful and respectful way to do it. There are other ways of getting people to stop disrespecting the places we take our kids fishing, but that is for a later post. K, thats my 2 cents.
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I use to fish alot at highland glen when i lived up north, i saw several people using two+ poles and taking a cooler full of fish home then be back a few hours later,
I think some of the community ponds should go back to Under 12 and only fishing, or do a month or two in the summer where it is kids only fishing
the kids will catch more and have a lot more fun
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[cool][#0000ff]My comments were made for the benefit of those who are hesitant to get in somebody's face, because of size or mild nature.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Me? I am 6' 3" and weigh over 250 pounds. And, I can be pretty nasty. I gots no problem gettin' in their "grill" if I see something. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Some of these folks are just plain thieves...of anything they can get away with. Being confronted by others is only a minor annoyance. Even getting a couple of tickets does not stop some of them. They just keep doing it but are more careful.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]What is a foolproof answer? I wish I knew.[/#0000ff]
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[font "Times New Roman"]I know what you mean TD. I’ve gotten into a few arguments with people there and the
part of it is that I keep seeing these people threre over and over again. They just don’t get it. I think it should be catch and release for anyone who is 15yrs and older. If you really want to catch some fish then go to a lake and let the kids have their fun especially during the summer. Maybe having pictures of the fish like they do in Mantua will help people to identify the bass because there is some people that don’t know the difference between fish species. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to tell people about LMB and how they don’t get stock anymore and there answers is always “LMB what, who”? yeah… [/font]
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I agree with you. Some of these folks are plain thieves, i grew up on Cape Cod Massachusetts, there was no shortage of fish as a kid, but my son and i have been skunked 2 out of 3 times at clinton, roy, and kaysville. It kills me to watch him not catch anything and not have the same joys that i had when i was younger which probably holds true for most of us in here when we were kids. Anyway, if we are all trying to put a stop to it, be it a minor annoyance or not, maybe it will help keep the population up a little bit longer for the kids to enjoy year round. Kids arent even out of school yet and the ponds are empty. Sucks.
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