01-01-2015, 03:51 AM
Fishing has never been the same since the first season they opened Henry's for ice fishing. Almost extinct are the huge hybrids what a shame.
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01-01-2015, 03:51 AM
01-01-2015, 04:31 AM
It ends today as well for pheasants. Ironic that with less pheasants ever about the same time the fish and game chose to keep open the pheasant season till the end of December. The year they opened ice fishing at Henry's I was lucky to fish four days in Sept and hooked a ten pounder every day. After ice fishing that year they were nearly extinct.
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01-01-2015, 04:56 AM
Cricket.....cricket.....cricket....
01-01-2015, 09:38 AM
It is a shame the big ones are gone. I would hope the F&G would come up with the plan to close Henrys unless there was 6 inches of ice on it. Then we would see some huge fish come back.
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01-01-2015, 03:18 PM
They need to put immigration in charge of fish and game, there would've game everywhere.
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01-01-2015, 04:28 PM
Was up at Henry's the Saturday before Christmas. We had an opportunity to talk to Damon, Fish and Game Biologist before we started fishing. We asked him about the lack of big fish as compared to years past. His comment was they were planting fewer fish now so the fish in the lake would have less competition for food and could grow larger.
When asked the numbers, he said they are planting 500,000 fewer fish each year. Then he said don't worry, we are still putting about a million fish a year in the lake.
Want big fish from Henry's? Push for fewer to be planted as well as catch and release only. That should give the fish a chance to get big and reduce the number of people fishing the lake.
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When asked the numbers, he said they are planting 500,000 fewer fish each year. Then he said don't worry, we are still putting about a million fish a year in the lake.
Want big fish from Henry's? Push for fewer to be planted as well as catch and release only. That should give the fish a chance to get big and reduce the number of people fishing the lake.
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01-01-2015, 05:47 PM
Maybe the best for the lake would be to institute a lottery permit for summer fishing, much like the draw for the rafters on the Middle fork of the Salmon, then all who drew would get to fish at least one afternoon during the year. [
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That and leave the lake open until March 1 for ice fishermen.
Happy New Year,
Tight Lines,
Ouzel
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]That and leave the lake open until March 1 for ice fishermen.
Happy New Year,
Tight Lines,
Ouzel
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01-01-2015, 05:54 PM
Mt homer, I replied to you because I didn't want anyone thinking I was attacking them. I'm not attacking anyone. Hopefully I can just add some facts to everyone's understanding about Henry's Lake.
Sometimes things happen all at once, but a small piece innocent piece may be blamed for something that is the result of some other event.
Chubbs grew in numbers,
Scudds were significantly reduced in numbers,
The biologist was changed,
Ice fishing was extended
And the tributaries were opened to fish spawning.
The main event that significantly changed Henry's was the reconnecting and repair of the spawning tributaries. The cutts now are naturally spawning in unprecedented numbers. So there were several year classes that were way too big. Those fish will never have the growth that less numerous year classes had.
This shows in the numbers, growth rate, and sizes in the gill netting surveys.
The biologists have reduced the stocking numbers, but have to go with a conservative reduction number. Each year they have reduced it again, and the studies are showing a corresponding growth rate increase. They can’t just do what they want immediately; it has to go by the management plan and approval from further up the ladder too. Studies have to be done and all factors reviewed before they can change the management plan.
The increase in chubbs and fewer scuds are also factors in the reduced growth rate of the fish…. Again too many mouths to feed. These two issues might be the result also of the proliferation of the smaller fish year classes. Fewer big fish to eat the chubbs. Interesting circle.
Even though the fish you catch are fat now, it is that early growth rate that really sets the bar for the trophy size. The quicker a fish grows on insects etc, then the sooner it switches over to being a meat eater or in the case of Henrys… there used to be enough bugs that they didn’t have to be meat eaters. Studies are showing that the larger fish are eating more fish now than ever before. Is there an underlying bug issue too?
I don’t think the brief change in biologists was the issue. Henrys showed its reduced growth rate that first year.. before the new biologist had time to do anything, besides most actions are set by the plan.
I don’t think extending the ice season did any harm. It was probably good. The fish NEED harvest.
A catch and release plan would also be counter to that. Harvest your limit!
Just be patient everyone and give it time to get balanced out a little. There isn’t a quick fix, but the biologists want the big fish back even more than we do. They are not managing it for a family put and take fishery. They never have. Some events they just have to roll with.
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Sometimes things happen all at once, but a small piece innocent piece may be blamed for something that is the result of some other event.
Chubbs grew in numbers,
Scudds were significantly reduced in numbers,
The biologist was changed,
Ice fishing was extended
And the tributaries were opened to fish spawning.
The main event that significantly changed Henry's was the reconnecting and repair of the spawning tributaries. The cutts now are naturally spawning in unprecedented numbers. So there were several year classes that were way too big. Those fish will never have the growth that less numerous year classes had.
This shows in the numbers, growth rate, and sizes in the gill netting surveys.
The biologists have reduced the stocking numbers, but have to go with a conservative reduction number. Each year they have reduced it again, and the studies are showing a corresponding growth rate increase. They can’t just do what they want immediately; it has to go by the management plan and approval from further up the ladder too. Studies have to be done and all factors reviewed before they can change the management plan.
The increase in chubbs and fewer scuds are also factors in the reduced growth rate of the fish…. Again too many mouths to feed. These two issues might be the result also of the proliferation of the smaller fish year classes. Fewer big fish to eat the chubbs. Interesting circle.
Even though the fish you catch are fat now, it is that early growth rate that really sets the bar for the trophy size. The quicker a fish grows on insects etc, then the sooner it switches over to being a meat eater or in the case of Henrys… there used to be enough bugs that they didn’t have to be meat eaters. Studies are showing that the larger fish are eating more fish now than ever before. Is there an underlying bug issue too?
I don’t think the brief change in biologists was the issue. Henrys showed its reduced growth rate that first year.. before the new biologist had time to do anything, besides most actions are set by the plan.
I don’t think extending the ice season did any harm. It was probably good. The fish NEED harvest.
A catch and release plan would also be counter to that. Harvest your limit!
Just be patient everyone and give it time to get balanced out a little. There isn’t a quick fix, but the biologists want the big fish back even more than we do. They are not managing it for a family put and take fishery. They never have. Some events they just have to roll with.
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01-01-2015, 07:17 PM
+1 I agree with CP.
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01-01-2015, 07:39 PM
CP Thanks for that write up. Not blaming anyone, just putting the facts out there to be seen. It's very easy to try to put the blame on one thing, but the facts speak for themselves. Everyone have a happy and safe new years and remember your new fishing license.
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01-01-2015, 08:50 PM
[quote cpierce]Mt homer, I replied to you because I didn't want anyone thinking I was attacking them. I'm not attacking anyone. Hopefully I can just add some facts to everyone's understanding about Henry's Lake.
Sometimes things happen all at once, but a small piece innocent piece may be blamed for something that is the result of some other event.
Chubbs grew in numbers,
Scudds were significantly reduced in numbers,
The biologist was changed,
Ice fishing was extended
And the tributaries were opened to fish spawning.
The main event that significantly changed Henry's was the reconnecting and repair of the spawning tributaries. The cutts now are naturally spawning in unprecedented numbers. So there were several year classes that were way too big. Those fish will never have the growth that less numerous year classes had.
This shows in the numbers, growth rate, and sizes in the gill netting surveys.
The biologists have reduced the stocking numbers, but have to go with a conservative reduction number. Each year they have reduced it again, and the studies are showing a corresponding growth rate increase. They can’t just do what they want immediately; it has to go by the management plan and approval from further up the ladder too. Studies have to be done and all factors reviewed before they can change the management plan.
The increase in chubbs and fewer scuds are also factors in the reduced growth rate of the fish…. Again too many mouths to feed. These two issues might be the result also of the proliferation of the smaller fish year classes. Fewer big fish to eat the chubbs. Interesting circle.
Even though the fish you catch are fat now, it is that early growth rate that really sets the bar for the trophy size. The quicker a fish grows on insects etc, then the sooner it switches over to being a meat eater or in the case of Henrys… there used to be enough bugs that they didn’t have to be meat eaters. Studies are showing that the larger fish are eating more fish now than ever before. Is there an underlying bug issue too?
I don’t think the brief change in biologists was the issue. Henrys showed its reduced growth rate that first year.. before the new biologist had time to do anything, besides most actions are set by the plan.
I don’t think extending the ice season did any harm. It was probably good. The fish NEED harvest.
A catch and release plan would also be counter to that. Harvest your limit!
Just be patient everyone and give it time to get balanced out a little. There isn’t a quick fix, but the biologists want the big fish back even more than we do. They are not managing it for a family put and take fishery. They never have. Some events they just have to roll with.[/quote]
I agree with you 100%.
Also long term I would rather see them make the transition to the creeks being used for spawning over utilizing a hatchery. The issue is that it is hard to predict how successful it was going to be. Now its just reacting to the success level that the natural spawning has.
I wish there was more lakes and reservoirs that we were working to improve the spawning runs out of them instead of promoting stocking.
We do our part to keep some fish out of there to help reduce numbers. Smoked they are some of the best fish you will eat.
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Sometimes things happen all at once, but a small piece innocent piece may be blamed for something that is the result of some other event.
Chubbs grew in numbers,
Scudds were significantly reduced in numbers,
The biologist was changed,
Ice fishing was extended
And the tributaries were opened to fish spawning.
The main event that significantly changed Henry's was the reconnecting and repair of the spawning tributaries. The cutts now are naturally spawning in unprecedented numbers. So there were several year classes that were way too big. Those fish will never have the growth that less numerous year classes had.
This shows in the numbers, growth rate, and sizes in the gill netting surveys.
The biologists have reduced the stocking numbers, but have to go with a conservative reduction number. Each year they have reduced it again, and the studies are showing a corresponding growth rate increase. They can’t just do what they want immediately; it has to go by the management plan and approval from further up the ladder too. Studies have to be done and all factors reviewed before they can change the management plan.
The increase in chubbs and fewer scuds are also factors in the reduced growth rate of the fish…. Again too many mouths to feed. These two issues might be the result also of the proliferation of the smaller fish year classes. Fewer big fish to eat the chubbs. Interesting circle.
Even though the fish you catch are fat now, it is that early growth rate that really sets the bar for the trophy size. The quicker a fish grows on insects etc, then the sooner it switches over to being a meat eater or in the case of Henrys… there used to be enough bugs that they didn’t have to be meat eaters. Studies are showing that the larger fish are eating more fish now than ever before. Is there an underlying bug issue too?
I don’t think the brief change in biologists was the issue. Henrys showed its reduced growth rate that first year.. before the new biologist had time to do anything, besides most actions are set by the plan.
I don’t think extending the ice season did any harm. It was probably good. The fish NEED harvest.
A catch and release plan would also be counter to that. Harvest your limit!
Just be patient everyone and give it time to get balanced out a little. There isn’t a quick fix, but the biologists want the big fish back even more than we do. They are not managing it for a family put and take fishery. They never have. Some events they just have to roll with.[/quote]
I agree with you 100%.
Also long term I would rather see them make the transition to the creeks being used for spawning over utilizing a hatchery. The issue is that it is hard to predict how successful it was going to be. Now its just reacting to the success level that the natural spawning has.
I wish there was more lakes and reservoirs that we were working to improve the spawning runs out of them instead of promoting stocking.
We do our part to keep some fish out of there to help reduce numbers. Smoked they are some of the best fish you will eat.
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01-01-2015, 09:40 PM
We need to get the hybrids back.
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01-01-2015, 10:17 PM
For restoring natural spawning, Henry's Lake and Bear Lake are both great success stories. I would love to see more too. Unfortunately many of our reservoirs don't have streams coming in that have viable spawning habitat.
Fixing the streams to allow fish passage requires a cooperative effort and lots of funds. Usually it has taken an effort on the parts of farmers, F&G, and groups such as Trout Unlimited or the Henry's Fork Foundation.
There are also a lot of projects in the works and being completed on streams off of rivers such as the Salmon, Lemhi, Bear, SF Snake, and Pahsimeroi.
It is great to see the diversions and canals getting fish screens and fish ladders being put in.
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Fixing the streams to allow fish passage requires a cooperative effort and lots of funds. Usually it has taken an effort on the parts of farmers, F&G, and groups such as Trout Unlimited or the Henry's Fork Foundation.
There are also a lot of projects in the works and being completed on streams off of rivers such as the Salmon, Lemhi, Bear, SF Snake, and Pahsimeroi.
It is great to see the diversions and canals getting fish screens and fish ladders being put in.
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01-02-2015, 12:20 AM
Great rational information CP. Always appreciate that over the common knee jerk emotional response our society usually seems to favor.
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01-02-2015, 02:40 AM
Thank you for the great facts regarding Henry's. I couldn't agree more.
Kevin
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Kevin
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01-02-2015, 03:01 AM
I don't mind you replying to me, and I don't disagree with you in the least. I felt it was a random original post (s)...and beating a dead horse. I love fishing Henry's at different stages of the season, particularly ice fishing. Most of us have anecdotal evidence about what we experience as we fish it over the years.....well here's one for all the haters......I have noticed bigger and healthier fish thru the ice the past 3 years (in my opnion)-and more. That's what I've seen. We'll see what next year brings.
On the other hand I would support single barb-less on this lake for starters......
On the other hand I would support single barb-less on this lake for starters......
01-02-2015, 05:36 AM
CP, I totally agree. We do however need to keep up man-helped spawning as far as hybrids go.
Too many fish in the lake for a few years is what has caused this problem.
P.S.........I love the brook trout. Keep them going!
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Too many fish in the lake for a few years is what has caused this problem.
P.S.........I love the brook trout. Keep them going!
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01-02-2015, 01:29 PM
I haven't looked at the stocking # to see where the cuts were made, but I too hope that they keep the hybrids numbers up and reduce the cutts.
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01-02-2015, 04:31 PM
Lets hope we can get the hybrids back. I was told by the legends that they caught hundreds of fish over ten pounds that first November of ice fishing. They were elimated that first winter by ice fishing and have not come back. It is good to have Damen back he will verify what happened that year.
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01-02-2015, 04:45 PM
The "big fish" weren't eliminated by icefishing. They were eliminated by lifespan. Sadly, they weren't replaced by positive trophy management. Hopefully that will change but what is needed now is a serious cutback on planting of all but hybrids and net surveys to really understand the impact natural breeding is having on the lake.
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