12-17-2017, 06:21 AM
[quote Springbuck]
So, why aren't the "happy harvesters" we see at Utah lake tanking up on white bass up there targeting lakers? Can't we get them up there taking trout?[/quote]
I am sure that I will come across as a "Downer", but even the "happy harvesters" and their full buckets of fish do not notably affect the white bass population in Utah Lake. It is affected by spawning success and water levels, but harvest does not change things much at all. Sadly, this is almost always what we have seen with other DWR initiatives to increase harvest. Whether it is smallies at Jordanelle and Deer Creek, Brown trout in the middle or lower Provo, perch at Fish Lake, walleyes in Starvation, FG lakers or other examples, we never see enough harvest to make much of a difference. As has been noted, since FG is far away from population centers and a boat is required to really effectively hammer them, the hope that harvest will control them is even more unlikely. Even in places like Yellowstone lake, which has mandatory catch and kill plus netting and other measures, there has only been slow population reductions.
So what to do? In spite of the above pessimism, here is what I would consider.
1. Either no limit or a very high limit, like 40-50 fish for lakers under 20-24 inches. This would allow those that do want to really take a lot of fish and have the skills to do so, a chance to not be hindered in their efforts. It would also allow you to have contests like the burbot bash for the lakers. The burbot bash would not have what success it has if there was a limit on them.
2. I hate to say this, but netting and some of the things learned in Yellowstone lake may be the only thing that would make a large difference. I am not much of a laker guy, but it is my understanding that the pups often inhabit different areas than the larger ones. It might be possible to do it without too much bycatch. FG is a lot larger than Blue Mesa. However, some loss of bigger fish is inevitable, but it may be the price needed to be paid to improve the situation.
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So, why aren't the "happy harvesters" we see at Utah lake tanking up on white bass up there targeting lakers? Can't we get them up there taking trout?[/quote]
I am sure that I will come across as a "Downer", but even the "happy harvesters" and their full buckets of fish do not notably affect the white bass population in Utah Lake. It is affected by spawning success and water levels, but harvest does not change things much at all. Sadly, this is almost always what we have seen with other DWR initiatives to increase harvest. Whether it is smallies at Jordanelle and Deer Creek, Brown trout in the middle or lower Provo, perch at Fish Lake, walleyes in Starvation, FG lakers or other examples, we never see enough harvest to make much of a difference. As has been noted, since FG is far away from population centers and a boat is required to really effectively hammer them, the hope that harvest will control them is even more unlikely. Even in places like Yellowstone lake, which has mandatory catch and kill plus netting and other measures, there has only been slow population reductions.
So what to do? In spite of the above pessimism, here is what I would consider.
1. Either no limit or a very high limit, like 40-50 fish for lakers under 20-24 inches. This would allow those that do want to really take a lot of fish and have the skills to do so, a chance to not be hindered in their efforts. It would also allow you to have contests like the burbot bash for the lakers. The burbot bash would not have what success it has if there was a limit on them.
2. I hate to say this, but netting and some of the things learned in Yellowstone lake may be the only thing that would make a large difference. I am not much of a laker guy, but it is my understanding that the pups often inhabit different areas than the larger ones. It might be possible to do it without too much bycatch. FG is a lot larger than Blue Mesa. However, some loss of bigger fish is inevitable, but it may be the price needed to be paid to improve the situation.
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