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[cool][#0000ff]Not sure how many BFTers saw this report when it came out in 2005. Thanks to Saberfish for bringing it to my attention. Thought a few others might be able to wade through the 84 pages and get something useful from it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][url "http://www.waterquality.utah.gov/TMDL/UtahLake_Task1memo07-15-05.pdf"]LINK TO REPORT[/url][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]A lot of the charts, graphs, diagrams and technobabble are related to water chemistry, etc. However, much of it relates to our fishing pleasure...especially if we eat what we catch.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One of the more interesting charts in the report was about the current fish species in the lake and their various lifestyles. I copied and pasted the charts and made a separate PDF file (attached) for those who might like to have it for faster reference.[/#0000ff]
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What is PCB and i've only heard of it being in carp are do any other types of fish have it and what does it do?
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[cool][#0000ff]PCBs are chemicals that are not found in nature. They are manmade nasties, associated with the electronics industry, electrical transformers, hydraulic fluid, etc. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][url "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_biphenyl"]LINK TO WEBSITE[/url][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]While there is no specific finger pointing at any company or industry, many feel that we have the former Geneva Steel to thank for much of the ugly stuff still remaining in Utah Lake.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It has been found to be in higher quantities in large channel cats, but does not seem to have eleveated levels in white bass, walleyes or other fish from the lake.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Will it kill you? Probably...by the time you are 80 or 90 years old. While PCBs have been tested in laboratories, for harmful effects on humans, there have been few definitive results from people eating PCB laced fish. In fact, some Utah County families have relied on Utah Lake fish for generations as a big part of their diet, and there have been no illnesses or other problems attributed to fish ingestion.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It is a personal call. If you just don't like the idea of taking drugs not prescribed by your physician, don't eat Utah Lake fish. But, there are plenty of other Utah waters with high levels of mercury, arsenic and smelly jelly in the water.[/#0000ff]
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My brother-in-law is a chemical engineer who worked for Geneva for many years. One of his duties was compliance officer to ensure that the chemicals Geneva dumped into Utah Lake were within the FDA guidelines. According to him, and he does err on the extreme side of caution, Geneva was responsible for an amazing amount of PCBs that are now present in the lake.
I'v eaten cats and whites out of the lake and I still can't get him to eat anything out of there. As of yet, I don't have any extra eyes or limbs growing, but it does cause one to take pause for concern.
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Thanks for the summary info... Cool information. Who knew that UL had a documented mosquito fish population?? I didn't..
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[cool][#0000ff]You haven't been using small enough flies.[/#0000ff]
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I got bad eyes.. Plus, I usually don't carry a microscope w/ me when I'm fishing.. [  ]
Have you caught one?
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[cool][#0000ff]Never fished fer 'em. But, I have noticed small groups of them in shallow weedy spots...where they are doing what they are supposed to: eating mosquito larvae.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have heard that there is an aggressive program in the state to supply gambusia (mosquito fish) for all stagnant ponds or waterways where mosquitoes can breed. I am sure they dump a few around Lincoln Beach and other areas with backwaters and stagnant areas.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Those little tykes need to stay inside the cover or they get munched fast.[/#0000ff]
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Actually, the reason those mosquitofish are there is because the state has tried to use them as natural mosquito abatement tools for decades. I have heard that recently they've been trying to use native chub/sucker type fish instead because the mosquitofish are have threatened the survival of some of Utah's endangered fish -- specifically some out in springs in the west desert.
They are everywhere in Powell Slough and other thickly weeded areas in Utah Lake, and I'm sure they are munched all night by catfish and walleye.
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[cool][#0000ff]Hey folks, I figured out how to copy individual pages from a PDF file, making them a separate PDF file. So, here are a couple of other things from the big report that some of you might like to have as personal reference items.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That FISH SPECIES chart is really interesting from the standpoint of listing when the different species were introduced and what happened to them. There were some other species that never made it and are not listed here. One of those is the northern pike. I am sure they were put in the lake and a few were caught, but they never took hold.[/#0000ff]
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I see lmb boil on the gambusias every year on Utah lake in places that i fish. Yes, they chase the schools and pound them right on top.
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Just out of curiosity TD, which of the tributaries on that map is considered Battle Creek? I have always wondered what the name of the tributary that comes in from Springville is? It looks as if there is about 4 or 5 that are all called Spring Creek? Any clarification from you guys that know the lake well would be appreciated.
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One point of note from the report that was interesting to me was that there is more water coming into the lake from springs, than from the Provo River.. That's a lot of water. Spring water accounted for 20% of the inflow into utah lake
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One point of note from the report that was interesting to me was that there is more water coming into the lake from springs, than from the Provo River.. That's a lot of water. Spring water accounted for 20% of the inflow into utah lake [/reply]
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[cool] [#0000ff]Battle Creek comes in just north of Lindon Harbor. It runs beside the waste transfer station and is affectionately called the "dump ditch". That is not to be  with the inlet further to the northwest, coming in from the sewage treatment plant. That is UNAFFECTIONATELY called the $#&% ditch.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The main tributary at Springville is Hobble Creek.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There is a Spring Creek that comes down from little Spring Lake, near Payson. But, I think the others are small and just generically named. On the map, Beer Creek is the name of the tributary many of us know as Benjamin Slough.[/#0000ff]
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So the tributary in which many BFTers are calling amigo bay, is the hobble creek tributary? Sorry about all the questions, I am really weird about knowing the correct names of where I fish! The other info you gave was great, thank you, just still a little about the correct name of this one. I just didn't know Hobble creek came down that way. I thought it would flow in a little more to the south, or join with Spanish Fork river somewhere. One more question while we are on the subject. Is it legal to fish where hobble creek comes in? I always see people fishing there between the dates of march 1rst and May 1rst. Is this considered a tributary or not? Thanks TD [laugh]
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[cool][#0000ff]Legal as long as you are not casting into what could be considered the main channel of the inlet. A CO would have to make their own interpretation as to just where the creek ended and the lake began. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have not fished it. I like a bit more solitude. I just hate it when my neighbor is standing on my foot. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Wherever any numbers of fish show up within casting distance of shore, you will find hordes of happy harvesters. I have no problem with them yanking out a bunch of white bass, but it really sets me off when they keep all the largemouths...regardless of size...and everything else they hook. Makes you wanna stay away from their lines to avoid being snagged and dragged home for the cooker.[/#0000ff]
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Thanks for the clarification TD, your input is always appreciated! I don't fish there much anymore now that I own a boat, but I used to fight the poaching crowd to get my fishing addiction in! I just always wondered whether it was closed or open during this time of year! I have actually seen a DWR officer down there during March and April and people were fishing so I figured it must be legal. I just wasn't 100% sure! Now I know, thanks
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Ok, the official designation of where the tributary starts and the lake begins is the "standing water level of the lake" at the time you are fishing it. If you are casting into the standing water level even though the current may be running into it, you are fishing the lake. If you are fishing in the obvious creek channel before it hits the standing water level, you are in the tributary. TD is right on the money in terms of personal interpretation. In most of the tribs, the channel itself is considered by some co's to be open for an ambiguous distance contigent upon the individual. But if you interpret the law as objectively as possible what I reiterated in the beginning will prevail in a court of law.
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Thanks Fin-S-Fish, that makes it clear as mud! Im just kidding that makes sense thanks for the responses guys!
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