Fishing Forum

Hi BTF'ers.

I attended the Lake Powell sport fishery planning meeting yesterday and can share some brief takeways::

1) Primary goal -- Maintain the Fishery: Lake Mead has had Quagga for 8 years longer than LP. Their Striper fishery is experiencing one of its best years ever. This is a good sign that we still have a decade or more before the Quagga drastically impact the fishery. Stripers are theoretically the most vulnerable and in Mead, they are still going strong.

2) Redear are under consideration for introduction: There is a lot of support for introduction. We still have impact studies (particularly on tributaries with endangered native fish) and other details to complete. But Redear are being studied for introduction in the next couple years (it will take that long to build a stocking program).

In the meantime it is CRITICAL redear NOT be ILLEGALLY introduced. If they are, it prevents the DWR from managing them as a part of the sport fishery. It is better for all of us if they are introduced as part of the plan!

3) Fishing this year: The Striper fishing this year should be AWESOME throughout the lake. Walleye fishing, particularly uplake, should be great as well. LMB are very healthy. Numbers aren't great but the fish are hefty. SMB -- Numbers and size are good.

I'm happy to answer any questions that I can. The DNR wants sport fishermen to be aware of the discussions and actions being taken to maintain, improve and adapt Lake Powell to its new Quagga realities.
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Excellent info, thanks.
Wished I lived closer to LP.
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Yes me too. It's one of my favorite places to fish.
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Thanks for keeping us updated.
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The redear idea is very interesting. Have they been planted anywhere else that already has quaggas, and has there been success with them? Apparently, from a quick google of redears, they're quite a large panfish and could be kind of fun to catch. I'd kind of like to see that happen, especially if they can keep the mussels in check.
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Red ears are already in the lower Colorado River system, mainly Havasu. They are not eliminating the mussels, but they do eat them. IF we can get approval for the stocking of Red Ears into Powell, before the mussels can really get going, they might be able to help slow them down.

Red Ears are a great panfish. In the South they are commonly called Shellcrackers, due to feeding on mussels and snails. They look quite a bit like blue gill, however they have a lot of red on the breast. And they grow big. The world record was recently set at Havasu, 5.78 lbs

Bring on the redears! [cool]

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+1 thanks for all the info, and even though I live in Utah Valley, it's sounding more and more like I'll have to plan a vacation to Lake Powell once those redears get put in... haven't really entered the world of striper/wiper/bass fishing yet, so new sunfish would be the biggest draw for me.
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I strongly urge you to enter the world of Striper Fishing. It isn't difficult and fishing boils in the late summer and fall is a uniquely awesome experience.

A couple notes about the Redears.

Redears are not expected impact the mussel infestation. The mussels far outproduce their ability to eat. They will add both a forage for other sport fish (SMB LMB, Walleye), and another potential sport fish for anglers.... one that can take advantage of the new food source.

Redears reproduce slowly and require cover. If greenlighted, the plan would be to stock lots of fish over several years. Part of the reason it is important they not be introduced illegally -- an established population will grow faster if introduced by DNR in large numbers.

One more goal I should mention:

We'd like to double the Walleye take from Lake Powell in very short order. Walleye are prolific particularly in the northern half of the lake. It is believed they are leaving the lake upstream in the Colorado and San Juan rivers and represent a danger to native fish.

For those who do fish Lake Powell, please take some time to catch some of these delicious fish. And please take them home!
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Thanks for keeping all of us informed on the Lake Powell fishery.

There are a lot of folks that enjoy Lake Powell for the variety of fish that are already in there. One more species will be even better.
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