Ok so there was just an update on what can and cannot be used boat wise on the reservoirs around Preston. Glendale and Lamont are a non-motorized (not even trolling motors so better get on the weights, lol) system right now, pending if the check station opens later they may allow boats. Johnson and Foster are trolling motors allowed, no wake/balast boats allowed anywhere. I didn't catch anything on Twin, though. I will post the link from Channel 8 news as soon as it is posted. At least they are allowing some sort of boats/fishing on the water compared to what it could have been. Oh, also have to have proof of boat inspection. Not sure if it means an inspection from this year or just a sticker and inspection from prior year or what.
More to come!!!
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I can live with that, though I still hope to be able to access Condie and Winder.
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http://www.localnews8.com/news/Franklin-...e/39014280
Twin lakes is a different group so they will announce separately.
Doesn't make since to allow trolling motors in some and not the others. They should allow trolling motors in all of them, including twin.
Crappy decision but not the worst scenario. I still don't understand why you are not allowed to take your boat if you get your boat inspected at a check station.
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I know Twin is a different group, but, at least some info out. Thanks for posting the link to Channel 8. I agree that if boat is inspected not sure why it cant be used. They can put some restrictions on type of boat but to not allow doesn't make sense to me either. And it still doesn't address whether or not an inspection from current year or past year and current proof of purchasing the sticker is good. As I have said before, some folks aren't within 100 miles of an inspection station so what then?
It is a start but hopefully the canal company will put out a little more information so we all can understand what will be done. But, at least we can fish
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Update: Just talked with Consolidated on what they put out on a news release last night. No matter where you come from to use the reservoirs, if you don't have a current inspection sticker or proof of current, this year inspection, you will have to go to Franklin to get the inspection done and then you are good to go. They also said that most likely on May 15, when the check station at Glendale opens, then similar restrictions to last year, no ballast type boats will be allowed, but others will be ok. So I guess Franklin station will be pretty busy this spring.
I was also told, but this is from Consolidated, that the Twin Lakes canal company is going to keep their reservoirs CLOSED totally. Now whether or not that means until check stations open or for the year, they could not say. I have an email to them to find out and will post up when I get an answer.
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One thing that I'm finding odd in this is that float tubes are non motorized and under 10' in length meaning they have always been exempt from inspection and have never required an invasive species sticker. With that in mind, it does make me wonder if they might still be allowed. I'm probably grasping at straws in hoping that my favorite places aren't shut down, but it would seem weird to have them banned considering that fact. One thing that I much prefer about Winder and Condie is you don't get as many loud obnoxious people just going up there to hang out as you do at the reservoirs closer to Preston. Fish aside, fishing at those reservoirs is just a much more pleasant experience.
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Ya know, I would call both canal companies and put that out to them. I think it would cause some hard consternation that they haven't thought of. And because you comply with state law, the only way that they really could stop float tubers or under the 10' rule would be to totally close the waters to anyone and that would include even bank fishermen. And I am not sure that is within or what they want to do or could do. I'd call them. The numbers are on the thread here we go again.
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I think I'll do that, especially Twin since the other company has at least presented their plan. A friend of mine just bought a tube and likes to fish these lakes too, so I'll see if he'll give them a call too.
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So I've found that the Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District is the best place or has been the best place to find and get information on what the rules are for boats and the restrictions on reservoirs in Franklin County by the Irrigation Canal Companies. Here is the link to their Facebook page. They answer the question about boats under 10 ft etc.
[url "https://www.facebook.com/FranklinSWCD/"]https://www.facebook.com/FranklinSWCD/[/url]
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Thanks for the link. Looks like someone actually replies on a regular basis so that's a good place to field some questions. Still no info about Twin though, so I'm guessing it's just the same as last fall.
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There is an update in the herald journal today.
Sounds like Twin Lakes reservoirs are open to non motorized.
Also they will open to boats on May 15 but may close again if they don't get more funding. There is some encouraging info in the article though.
No word on Deep Creek.
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That is the best news I've heard in a long time. I know what I'm doing on my next day off
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I got an email reply from Twin lakes Canal today on their plans. Here is what they told me.
"After [#222222]May 15, 2016[/#222222] motorized watercraft (except watercraft with ballast compartments or bladders ) will be permitted on Twin Lakes. All watercraft using Twin Lakes must have been recently inspected by an inspection station operated by and for the ISDA and have in its possession written certification. You have to stop at our lake to show this. (There is an inspection station in Franklin, just 6 miles from Preston)
We regret any inconvenience that may result from these restrictions, but the restrictions are necessary to protect these valuable and necessary resources in our community. Any inconvenience is minor when compared to the potential significant impact from quaqqa mussels. Contamination and infestation of invasive species will be disastrous to the Company's private reservoirs and irrigation system and would only result in more restrictive measures for everyone."
So not sure if it's open now based on what they told me. Better check with them to make sure before you go. I would give them a call.
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Ok, here is the latest on Glendale reservoir and boats. According to the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District, here is the policy for this reservoir and boats.
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Glendale Reservoir update: The barricades will be open tomorrow May 15 at 7:00 a.m. A verification checkpoint will be staffed 7 days a week from 7 am to 7 pm The cost for verification per watercraft will be $10.00 for Franklin county residents and $20.00 for out of county. The license plate of the tow vehicle and driver license will prove residency. No cash accepted just debit/credit cards and local checks.
The verification staff will be asking for proof of a ISDA inspection form/passbook for any watercraft that has left the county AND a 2016 invasive sticker attached to vessel or Idaho boat registration. The ISDA form must then be displayed on the dashboard of tow vehicle. County residents need to visit the ISDA station within 5 days of launching or have an ISDA trailer/boat orange tag.
ISDA stations are open all daylight hours. One is located at Highway 91 in Franklin City. Others at state line roads throughout Idaho."
And to further clarify it, I asked the question does it mean that each time you leave the county you have to have your boat inspected. And the answer I got back is yes, each time you leave the county you have to get a new inspection and the nearest one to Preston and Glendale is south on the Utah border at Franklin. There are no stations in east Idaho except Malad and Franklin and at Henry's lake. Otherwise, everyone is kind of screwed having to travel one he** of a long way out of your way to get an inspection each time you want to go there to fish.
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Now is this fee is for motorized only? I thought up until now you could go to Glendale with a non motorized watercraft.
So if I go up there with my kayak they will charge me 20 bucks?
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I was told that everything they had released prior to May 12th was out the door and that is what they came up with. Not sure if it was just the Consolidated Canal Company or if it was joint with the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District. And it supposedly the $20.00 fee applies to everything that wants to use the water, including having the inspection each time. What makes no sense to me, is that they will have some one at Glendale from 7-7 checking to see if you have been inspected, yet, that same person can not inspect your boat etc. You have to go to Franklin City, Malad or another check station to get the Quagga Mussel inspection done. Just another kink in the clogs from some one to make it tough for anyone to fish that reservoir. We need more inspections stations throughout the State but no one seems to listen to it.
On top of it, if they keep going this way, why should Fish and Game keep planting any of these reservoirs with our public tax dollars or manage them in any way? Even though it is private property, it has been managed for years as public so fish were planted,managed, and harvested within the Fish and Game regulations. But, now that private land owners, the canal company is putting such restrictions on it, maybe it's time to push to stop any management or future plants of fish. It would be
seening how that fishery has grown and given some great recreation to many people around the country. Just venting and thinking out loud.
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I'm not sure about Glendale, but I was at Twin last week and talked to the camp host about it. She said that non motorized craft like my float tube don't need to be inspected at Twin, but they would appreciate a stop by to say that you will be there launching a non motorized craft. She also said that Condie and Winder are good to go with non motorized craft.
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That is awesome
Thanks for the info.
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Are they charging to launch?
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Just the usual $5 they always charge at Twin. Winder and Condie are no charge.
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