05-26-2004, 11:04 PM
When I went to the June sucker open house, I read a study that explored all of the different options regarding the carp. The only solution that seemed practical and not cost prohibitive to the authors was "intensive commercial fishing". The problem with that was that a market was not currently available for that much carp. The study was skeptical that rod and reel and bow fishing could have any effect at all.
With regards to carp as forage, It appears that it wouldn't be too much of a problem. I believe it was Tube Dude (I apologize if it wasn't) that posted that the main white bass forage for much of the year in Utah Lake was baby white bass. Walleyes will eat mudcats, wb, chubs, carp, and other minnows. Catfish will eat anything as is well known. Mr. Keleher, the project biologist (and NOT a DWR employee, but working for the water district with help from USFWS) envisions a time if the sucker recovery succeeds, where June suckers themselves are a forage for trout and whatever else is around. Wouldn't that be ironic?
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With regards to carp as forage, It appears that it wouldn't be too much of a problem. I believe it was Tube Dude (I apologize if it wasn't) that posted that the main white bass forage for much of the year in Utah Lake was baby white bass. Walleyes will eat mudcats, wb, chubs, carp, and other minnows. Catfish will eat anything as is well known. Mr. Keleher, the project biologist (and NOT a DWR employee, but working for the water district with help from USFWS) envisions a time if the sucker recovery succeeds, where June suckers themselves are a forage for trout and whatever else is around. Wouldn't that be ironic?
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