In spite of the crazy weather and daily winds, Yuba continues to give up decent fish. My disabled vets backed out at Strawberry due to cold weather so I went to Yuba with 3 vets. A few days earlier I managed a 40 incher and today we ended up with 5 decent fish. The wealth of filets are being transformed into fish tacos as I write this.
It was windy as usual but after four hours of trolling and casting a few fish came to the boat.
The biggest fish was killed because I couldn't get the lure out of his stomach without damaging his gill rakers and the others were killed because A. The anglers wanted to B. Killing the smaller fish is necessary to maintain a balanced population and trophy fish in that population. C, they are great eating and D. The anglers wanted to.
In spite of the DWR Yuba is a very good Northern Pike fishery. For years I have heard the DWR was going to put together a management plan for the reservoir, but unless I am not aware of something recent that plan has not materialized. I have heard that they intend to plant perch and walleye in Yuba. I applaud that move as it will provide the feed necessary to grow more trophy northerns. I would like to see cisco, shad, rainbows and wipers added to the Pikes diet. A few Tiger muskies for competition would be nice as well. Thin out the small pike. Nice.
If the DWR would manage Yuba as a trophy Pike fishery maybe some of the thousands of anglers that head north every year to fish for pike in Canada would come to Utah and leave their money here. Just a thought and before someone starts on water levels and all of the reasons Yuba cannot be maintained as any type of fishery, I am not interested in hearing it. Yuba can be a world class Pike fishery, but not if it is not managed. My 2 bits worth.
[#BF0000]Reminder: Don't check the Inline boxes unless you are going to post the pictures Inline. -- Kent[/#BF0000]
Great job. I need to get down there again. It is amazing the quantity of large northern pike that Yuba turns out.
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Nice report. And for the trophy fishery this is the info per the last RAC meeting. Regs for yuba next year are 20 pike with only one being over 36". Also they said they will transplant perch from fish lake right after ice off to start the perch planting.
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Thats good to hear. I don't think 20 is that great, maybe 10, but only 1 over 36" is very good news.
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[#000080]We have edited your posts before regarding the DWR. Ok to disagree; however, if you can't stop the name calling don't post. Kent[/#000080]
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Attend the RAC and you will have changed your mind.
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[quote zman2][#000080]We have edited your posts before regarding the DWR. Ok to disagree; however, if you can't stop the name calling don't post. Kent[/#000080][/quote]
I'm not sure why you edited dudes post, but is this forum ran by the dwr? If not I would think if he wanted to bag on em it should be his perogotive to do so? I'm not big on bashing them, but if someone else wants to why couldn't they as this is a public site ran by a non interest group as to what utahs dwr does? Is this a discussion forum?
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[quote FattyGreens][quote zman2][#000080]We have edited your posts before regarding the DWR. Ok to disagree; however, if you can't stop the name calling don't post. Kent[/#000080][/quote]
I'm not sure why you edited dudes post, but is this forum ran by the dwr? If not I would think if he wanted to bag on em it should be his perogotive to do so? I'm not big on bashing them, but if someone else wants to why couldn't they as this is a public site ran by a non interest group as to what utahs dwr does? Is this a discussion forum?[/quote]
No this is not a public site -- it is private. I could care less if he or anyone else disagrees with the DWR but we don't tolerate name calling.
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I went yesterday for the first time and struck out. Just one bite on a firetiger shad rap. Man I tried everything except flies and bait. tough 8 hours of fishing for me.
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I feel for you. I've been there many times. Some days the fishing can be good and the next.......Painful.
I've tried to figure out the timing, looked at the solar predictors, read the WeeGee board and even prayed to the fish gods. No rhyme or reason to it. All I know for sure is that I have never caught a pike when I was sitting home.
What has been sort of successful for me and those that I fish with is to be constantly experimenting. I have a plan that works like this. If it is windy I begin by trolling, but always during the time I'm dragging lures I'm changing up speeds, lure types and so forth. With 3 lines in the water we will have three types of lures perhaps; spoons, deep divers and shallow divers. Every half hour I change lures searching for what they may bite. If I get a bite on a spoon, for instance, I will put spoons on all lines. Then I will try different speeds for the spoons. If that don't work I go back to the beginning scenario.
I do not recall ever catching a northern in the deep water. I always work close to the shore in water no deeper than 20'. The other day I ran into Bill Gatley. Bill has, arguably, caught more northerns than any other Yuba fisherman. I meant to ask Bill if he ever catches them in deep water, but forgot, but I do know that Bill trolls almost exclusively and he catches a lot of big northerns.
If the wind permits it, I will fish with my electric trolling motor slowly ( 1/2 to 1 MPH) along the shore line while casting. A silver and blue backed rattle trap is my go to lure so I start with that switching to slash baits and rapalas. The angler in the back of the boat will use something entirely different like a big spinner.
Staying out a long cast to the shore line, we will fan cast both the front of the boat and the stern ensuring that if there is a big northern laying there he will see the lure, getting the fish to bite is another story.
I don't know for sure how many big northerns have been caught on my boat, but a lot. Dozens and dozens over 15 lbs and plenty over 20lbs. I think Yuba has the potential to become one of the best pike waters in America which is why I get so frustrated that the DWR does little or nothing about managing the reservoir. If what I have read is true it appears that they aren't willing to move forward with a real management plan. 20 pike limit with 1 over 36". That reads like a plan to destroy the pike fishery to me.
Maybe its a good thing that the fishing is tough so there are still fish there. If the DWR wanted to create a real trophy fishery there they would use biology, science and the experience of many other state fisheries to come up with a concrete plan that would insure the survival of the fishery even in the most adverse of conditions and drought years. Again, Just my two bits worth but it comes from someone who loves to fish Yuba.
I fished a reservoir in western colorado on friday in the cold rain for just a few hours, and landed 7 fish, all were 18-25 inches. Kept 2 19 inchers, which ended up being a male and female, with lots of fry making material in each. With smaller pike become sexually mature fairly quickly, have a large limit on smaller pike will not hurt the population, hopefully help the perch re-establish and balance the fishery. I wasn't at the RAC meeting, and I probably would have pushed to protect fish over 28 inches or so, but I am all for the liberal harvest of hammer handles.
Once a healthy trophy population has been established, self predation takes care of the hammer handle problem on it's own.
I think I may be chasing toothy water wolves this weekend as well.
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Thanks for the input. Building a world class pike fishery might be problematic, but achievable if the desire is there.
I would like to see everyone that fishes Yuba catch pike, maybe more would advocate for expanding pike waters or seriously managing the reservoir
I too would like to see 28" or 30" the one large fish keeper. I have read many papers on Pike management from throughout the US and Canada and if I'm not mistaken there is evidence and studies that show if the big trophy fish are severely reduced only the hammerheads will remain until different management tactics are taken.
I fully realize that Yuba has unique conditions that makes management of any fish species difficult, but until the DWR takes it seriously, it remains in jeopardy. It is destined to collapse like it always has in the past, a cycle of boom and bust regardless of the species involved.
[quote pezvela] If what I have read is true it appears that they aren't willing to move forward with a real management plan. 20 pike limit with 1 over 36". That reads like a plan to destroy the pike fishery to me.
Maybe its a good thing that the fishing is tough so there are still fish there. If the DWR wanted to create a real trophy fishery there they would use biology, science and the experience of many other state fisheries to come up with a concrete plan that would insure the survival of the fishery even in the most adverse of conditions and drought years. Again, Just my two bits worth but it comes from someone who loves to fish Yuba.[/quote]
Or....maybe you just don't understand the biology, science, and the experience that has been Yuba over the past 100 years. The truth is that right now Yuba is in a cycle of rapidly increasing northern pike...and, if that trend isn't slowed down in a real hurry, the pike will crash much like the walleye have done in the past. Pike numbers are so high in Yuba right now and prey numbers so low that without some harvest or some kind of fish kill, the pike are going to stunt. And, that is exactly what the biology, science, and experience of other state fisheries has shown us about Yuba. But, judging from your remarks, I am sure you will not believe that...
...for those that do understand, they will also understand that good management of that fishery will require lots of harvest of small pike and protection of some of the larger ones. The problem with Yuba (and it seems you already understand some of this but refuse to believe it) is that we have a habitat issue with fluctuating water levels and uncontrollable fish populations. When water levels are high, the water can flood brush and create good habitat not only for spawning northerns but also spawning perch and other prey fishes. But, when water is low, not only is spawning habitat poor but also cover for prey fishes. My hope is that Yuba's water is low enough this next spring that the pike have a really poor spawn to help keep their numbers in check. Otherwise, we are headed for some skinny pike years...somehow their numbers need to be controlled.
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[#0000FF]Hey cap'n, I agree that Yuba has the POTENTIAL of being a fantastic pike fishery. It also has proven its potential for both perch and walleye. But it has also proven to go through ten year cycles in which the predominant species grows and then starves out with dropping water and no food.
I know you have fished it over a period of years. I have fished it going back to the 1970's and I have watched the ups and downs. I'll always have fond rememberies of some of the heydey years...and a pain in my old heart when I remember the inevitable crashes. I became philosophical about it after a few of the down times. I just enjoy the heck out of the good stuff and wait for the bad times to work themselves out during periods of higher water levels and more stable fish populations.
I'm sorry that you want to blame DWR for any potential downfall of Yuba. They can't manage the unmanageable. The water all belongs to the power plant and the farmers downstream and DWR has no control over the lake levels...not even a conservation pool.
I'm afraid I am more pessimistic (realistic) than optimistic about DWR's plans to dump in a lot more perch and walleye real soon. I don't think we have reached the end of the current drought situation and I suspect there will be another crash. Again, the only fish that will survive will be those that are able to find a deep hole upriver until the flows return in quantity to refill the lake.
The end of the last drought cycle was the winter of 2004-2005...when the lake was also drained for dam mods. Good winter snowfall filled the lake the following spring and there were no gamefish in Yuba...only a few carp. Trout were planted and they went gangbusters for a couple of years...until the exploding pike population took over. Without the walleyes as a co-predator the pike had a big buffet of all surviving species...plus tender troutskis and some planted perch. The resulting pike explosion resulted in the largest population of pike that I have ever seen in Yuba. But this too is likely only temporary. And a demise will not be the result of anything DWR has done...or won't do.
I think DWR has done an admirable job over the years of trying to make the best of a bad situation.
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[quote pezvela]I feel for you. I've been there many times. Some days the fishing can be good and the next.......Painful.
I've tried to figure out the timing, looked at the solar predictors, read the WeeGee board and even prayed to the fish gods. No rhyme or reason to it. All I know for sure is that I have never caught a pike when I was sitting home.
What has been sort of successful for me and those that I fish with is to be constantly experimenting. I have a plan that works like this. If it is windy I begin by trolling, but always during the time I'm dragging lures I'm changing up speeds, lure types and so forth. With 3 lines in the water we will have three types of lures perhaps; spoons, deep divers and shallow divers. Every half hour I change lures searching for what they may bite. If I get a bite on a spoon, for instance, I will put spoons on all lines. Then I will try different speeds for the spoons. If that don't work I go back to the beginning scenario.
I do not recall ever catching a northern in the deep water. I always work close to the shore in water no deeper than 20'. The other day I ran into Bill Gatley. Bill has, arguably, caught more northerns than any other Yuba fisherman. I meant to ask Bill if he ever catches them in deep water, but forgot, but I do know that Bill trolls almost exclusively and he catches a lot of big northerns.
If the wind permits it, I will fish with my electric trolling motor slowly ( 1/2 to 1 MPH) along the shore line while casting. A silver and blue backed rattle trap is my go to lure so I start with that switching to slash baits and rapalas. The angler in the back of the boat will use something entirely different like a big spinner.
Staying out a long cast to the shore line, we will fan cast both the front of the boat and the stern ensuring that if there is a big northern laying there he will see the lure, getting the fish to bite is another story.
I don't know for sure how many big northerns have been caught on my boat, but a lot. Dozens and dozens over 15 lbs and plenty over 20lbs. I think Yuba has the potential to become one of the best pike waters in America which is why I get so frustrated that the DWR does little or nothing about managing the reservoir. If what I have read is true it appears that they aren't willing to move forward with a real management plan. 20 pike limit with 1 over 36". That reads like a plan to destroy the pike fishery to me.
Maybe its a good thing that the fishing is tough so there are still fish there. If the DWR wanted to create a real trophy fishery there they would use biology, science and the experience of many other state fisheries to come up with a concrete plan that would insure the survival of the fishery even in the most adverse of conditions and drought years. Again, Just my two bits worth but it comes from someone who loves to fish Yuba.[/quote]
Thanks Sailfish for that insight. It was windy, I might try trolling. I never really have done it in freshwater.
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I realize that it might be an almost impossible task and I do salute the DWR for their management of many waters, but I think that you will have to admit that they have done nothing as far as creating a management plan for Yuba, rather they have talked about it for years,, but done little more than talk.
I have discussed this with Drew Cushings ad nauseum through the years. Whenever I face a difficult task my motto becomes "Start.....The rest is easy".
As difficult as it might be, doing something is a start and the planting of perch and walleye and the liberal limits on smaller pike Is better than anything I have seen for years. For that effort I salute them.
These biologists are smart guys and if they look out of the box and do not resign themselves to defeat before they explore every option, there might be hope.
I appreciate your response and I know that Yuba has been a favorite water of yours through time. I won't give up on them and I will continue to whine in the hopes that it creates dialog and the professionals will look at a real management plan with fresh eyes. Cap
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[#0000FF]Hope you did not think I was taking a shot at you. Not at all. In fact, I have done my own "tilting windmills" about Yuba...with DWR...to no avail. So I do have both empathy and sympathy.
And I agree that it never hurts to state your case...as often and as loudly as you can. Might only torque the opposition but at least they know you are there and vocal...and venting relieves the pressure buildup.
Can't help but compare managing Yuba to the old saying about getting rid of a cold. "If you take care of yourself and take medication it only takes a week to get rid of a cold. If you do nothing about it it will take a full seven days to run its course."
Translation: No matter what we want or what plans DWR puts in place Yuba is still Yuba...and will always go through its boom and bust cycles. Hey, it's a desert lake...subject to drought cycles and the whims of the downstream water users. It was made for them and not fishermen. We gotta be properly grateful for the fishing we get and deal with the bad stuff when it happens...and it will.
I might still put in an appearance down there in the next month or so.
Oh, and for what it's worth, in days of old I followed the perch as they went deeper in the fall and I often caught northerns on the bottom on big jigs...in up to 40 feet of water. But I was also catching perch up to 16 inches and grundles of healthy walleyes. Oh the good ol' days.
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With what the DWR was saying at the rac I think things are going to look up. Lots more perch, walleye, and new limits for pike. Even though the water users are there, I think yuba will start producing again.
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I'm from MN and I can tell you the DWR there is all for harvesting small pike typically under 24" and limiting the catch of bigger pike typically anything over 30". Otherwise the small pike will overrun the lake and eventually crash the whole system. Looks like they are close to using that plan at Yuba. FYI pike in MN love small carp.
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[quote stan55]FYI pike in MN love small carp.[/quote]
They like'm in yuba too
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