More places receiving lake trout

[Kent]

Kory pointed out that lake trout are being stocked in more bodies of water.  I was pleased to see that there will be a few more places closer than Bear Lake (not the lake trout fishery that it once was), Flaming Gorge and Fish Lake that would have lake trout, where I could fish from my boat.  I am curious if the recently planted lake trout are sterile and question why they were planted in Hobbs Reservoir.  I sent an email, to Chris Penne, asking for clarification on those two issues.

[MrShane]

Kory pointed out that lake trout are being stocked in more bodies of water.  I was pleased to see that there will be a few more places closer than Bear Lake (not the lake trout fishery that it once was), Flaming Gorge and Fish Lake that would have lake trout, where I could fish from my boat.  I am curious if the recently planted lake trout are sterile and question why they were planted in Hobbs Reservoir.  I sent an email, to Chris Penne, asking for clarification on those two issues.

PLEASE say a truckload or three are headed to Strawberry Reservoir!

[chubby chaser]

Kory pointed out that lake trout are being stocked in more bodies of water.  I was pleased to see that there will be a few more places closer than Bear Lake (not the lake trout fishery that it once was), Flaming Gorge and Fish Lake that would have lake trout, where I could fish from my boat.  I am curious if the recently planted lake trout are sterile and question why they were planted in Hobbs Reservoir.  I sent an email, to Chris Penne, asking for clarification on those two issues.

PLEASE say a truckload or three are headed to Strawberry Reservoir!

I second this, and maybe they can thin out all the skinny cutts.

[wormandbobber]

Lake trout in Strawberry would be about the single dumbest thing they could ever do...just sayin'!

[Kent]

I have had discussions, with Alan Ward (UDWR biologist for Strawberry), and he has stated that because in the summer months there is not adequate oxygen, in the deeper water at Strawberry, lake trout would not do well in Strawberry.

[BearLakeFishGuy]

Kory pointed out that lake trout are being stocked in more bodies of water.  I was pleased to see that there will be a few more places closer than Bear Lake (not the lake trout fishery that it once was), Flaming Gorge and Fish Lake that would have lake trout, where I could fish from my boat.  I am curious if the recently planted lake trout are sterile and question why they were planted in Hobbs Reservoir.  I sent an email, to Chris Penne, asking for clarification on those two issues.

Kent,
The lake trout fishery at Bear Lake was artificially high in the late 1990's and early 2000's due to stocking of way too many lake trout.  The entire Bear Lake fishery management plan discussed this in 2009 and then again in 2015 or 16.  The focus of the fishery on Bear Lake will be geared towards native fish, cutthroat trout, whitefish, cisco).  UDWR and USU studied lake trout interactions with cutthroat in Bear Lake and, big surprise, they compete with each other.  The UDWR pushed to keep lake trout stocking but at levels where they will be managed as a trophy fish in the Bear Lake, but the native cutthroat trout population will be emphasized.  People, including yourself, continue to hammer UDWR on why lake trout numbers are lower than 10-20 years ago.  There were several public meetings where all of this was discussed with the public and the outcome of those meetings drove the direction of the fisheries management in Bear Lake.  Lake trout are not native to the western US and have caused many serious problems in just about all of the states and lakes where they are found.  See an article entitled "Western Lake Trout Woes" for more info. which covered just about all the major lake trout waters in the western USA.  Bear Lake was very lucky that lake trout did not decimate the native cutthroat, whitefish or cisco found in Bear Lake.  The research/modelling that was done showed that Bear Lake could sustain lake trout, but at lower levels, which would then allow the cutthroat numbers to increase and thrive.  That is what we have been seeing the last 5 years or so.  In addition, the states now stock only sterile lake trout (triploid) to ensure there is no significant reproduction that cannot be controlled by managment.  Not everyone will agree with the UDWR's management plan for Bear Lake.....ever....... But the public will once again have the opportunity to provide their input in the future.  I think the UT/ID agencies will begin updating the Bear Lake Fisheries Management plan in the next year or two and there will be public meetings to explain things and receive public input.

[Kent]

"People, including yourself, continue to hammer UDWR on why lake trout numbers are lower than 10-20 years ago."

Scott, a little stronger term than I would have used, but you are likely close. I still miss the "good old days", but as always, I defer to the judgment of those who have earned their biology degrees and studied the waters.

[MACMAN]

Hopefully the public input meeting does not happen on a Wednesday night in Garden City again. The balance has definitely shifted to a Cutthroat dominate population.

[wiperhunter2]

I have had discussions, with Alan Ward (UDWR biologist for Strawberry), and he has stated that because in the summer months there is not adequate oxygen, in the deeper water at Strawberry, lake trout would not do well in Strawberry.

I find that hard to believe Kent, I know that is what Alan Ward told you but if that were the case why would they stock them in Hobbs? How deep is Hobbs, hard to believe it is deeper than Strawberry .  Good to see they are stocking them in Porcupine and Causey, maybe they will thin those kokes out and remainder will be bigger.

[Kent]

I have had discussions, with Alan Ward (UDWR biologist for Strawberry), and he has stated that because in the summer months there is not adequate oxygen, in the deeper water at Strawberry, lake trout would not do well in Strawberry.

I find that hard to believe Kent, I know that is what Alan Ward told you but if that were the case why would they stock them in Hobbs? How deep is Hobbs, hard to believe it is deeper than Strawberry .  Good to see they are stocking them in Porcupine and Causey, maybe they will thin those kokes out and remainder will be bigger.

Curtis I'm not sure what you are saying. Alan has said that the deeper water, at Strawberry, is oxygen depleted during the warmer months. Hobbs being shallow would not have that issue; however, I would think that the water would get warmer than desirable for Lake trout in Hobbs.

[wiperhunter2]

I have had discussions, with Alan Ward (UDWR biologist for Strawberry), and he has stated that because in the summer months there is not adequate oxygen, in the deeper water at Strawberry, lake trout would not do well in Strawberry.

I find that hard to believe Kent, I know that is what Alan Ward told you but if that were the case why would they stock them in Hobbs? How deep is Hobbs, hard to believe it is deeper than Strawberry .  Good to see they are stocking them in Porcupine and Causey, maybe they will thin those kokes out and remainder will be bigger.

Curtis I'm not sure what you are saying. Alan has said that the deeper water, at Strawberry, is oxygen depleted during the warmer months. Hobbs being shallow would not have that issue; however, I would think that the water would get warmer than desirable for Lake trout in Hobbs.

That's what I meant, you would think the water in Hobbs would get warmer than Strawberry, especially in the Summer.

[Envenomation09]

That's what I meant, you would think the water in Hobbs would get warmer than Strawberry, especially in the Summer.

It looks to me like Hobbs was stocked with brood stock sized lake trout to provide an unique fishing opportunity, not as an attempt to start a lake trout population in an urban pond.

[Kent]

Reply from Chris Penn:

"Hi Kent,

Yes, with the exception of the fish that went into Hobbs Reservoir, all the lake trout stocked in 2024 were sterile. The lakers that went into Hobbs were older brood fish that were no longer productive - as fish age they produce fewer and less viable eggs and milt, so we move those fish out of the system when they get too old and bring in younger, more productive fish. That said, we don't expect any spawning or recruitment of those fish in Hobbs. It doesn't have the necessary rocky habitat and the fish aren't exactly young anymore. They were simply put there to keep up the numbers of large fish in that reservoir. Hobbs has trophy regulations with a 15" maximum size limit for fish. The anglers that have figured out how to fish it are really happy with the experience and are reporting commonly catching large fish. What I try to do is send Hobbs some it some of these larger old brood fish every year or two when they become available. Feel free to reach out if you any more questions.

Chris"

[SkunkedAgain]

Oh I like the idea of mac in the pig, that will get to be a great fishery I suspect... two thumbs up from me on that decision.... Later J