03-29-2022, 07:32 PM
I got a PM from Pisco asking for my input. I don't claim to know exactly what the problem is, but this is not the first time there has been a dieoff of white bass. The last was several years ago after a prolonged ice cap over some shallow areas of the lake...like Mud Lake (Provo Bay). That was due to oxygen depletion and winter kill...not only of white bass but even a bunch of bullheads.
Since this latest dieoff is happening well after ice off...and even in areas of deeper water...I doubt that it is a "delayed winter kill". It is most likely something similar to what happened to the perch in Starvation in 2013 and in Jordanelle a few years earlier. The dieoff after iceout was witnessed by lots of early iceoff anglers and reported to DWR but to the best of my knowledge there was never a definitive cause established. The general consensus was that it was some kind of species specific pathogen (virus or bacteria) that affected only the perch. Maybe some kind of Covid crud.
Pisco mentioned that he had taken a sample of a dying whitie and had shot some video of their death throes. And that he wanted to get those to someone in DWR. I suggested he contact Chris Crockett in the Springville office. I'm sure he will report back on whatever he finds from Chris.
I just cancelled personal plans to hit Utah Lake out of Lindon tomorrow. Call me a wimp, but I have a strong aversion to fighting wind and waves while trying to enjoy my fishing. I fish for enjoyment...not endurance. Still, I hope to check out that portion of the lake as soon as possible to see if the dieoff is lakewide...or limited to small areas only. From past experience I can attest that a major white bass dieoff in Utah Lake will upset the whole ecology. White bass are the primary food source for all the predators...including other white bass. And if the numbers of adult white bass dying means a poor spawning population there ain't gonna be enough groceries for all the meat eaters in the lake for several years to come.
Since this latest dieoff is happening well after ice off...and even in areas of deeper water...I doubt that it is a "delayed winter kill". It is most likely something similar to what happened to the perch in Starvation in 2013 and in Jordanelle a few years earlier. The dieoff after iceout was witnessed by lots of early iceoff anglers and reported to DWR but to the best of my knowledge there was never a definitive cause established. The general consensus was that it was some kind of species specific pathogen (virus or bacteria) that affected only the perch. Maybe some kind of Covid crud.
Pisco mentioned that he had taken a sample of a dying whitie and had shot some video of their death throes. And that he wanted to get those to someone in DWR. I suggested he contact Chris Crockett in the Springville office. I'm sure he will report back on whatever he finds from Chris.
I just cancelled personal plans to hit Utah Lake out of Lindon tomorrow. Call me a wimp, but I have a strong aversion to fighting wind and waves while trying to enjoy my fishing. I fish for enjoyment...not endurance. Still, I hope to check out that portion of the lake as soon as possible to see if the dieoff is lakewide...or limited to small areas only. From past experience I can attest that a major white bass dieoff in Utah Lake will upset the whole ecology. White bass are the primary food source for all the predators...including other white bass. And if the numbers of adult white bass dying means a poor spawning population there ain't gonna be enough groceries for all the meat eaters in the lake for several years to come.