DWR Doin's

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[cool][#0000ff]Most of us fisherfolk like to take potshots at DWR. Many view them as the enemy, rather than as the guys who try to provide good fishing for all. Heck, I take my shots too. And, the good news is that most DWR folks I talk to openly invite the public to communicate...even the negative. They know they are targets, but bringing up gripes and airing expectations with them is the only way to let them know what we want...even if they can't (won't) always GIT 'ER DONE.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]With that in mind, I first sent a PM to Drew Cushing, Dir. of Warm Water Fisheries. He suggested that I contact Richard Hepworth, one of the fisheries biologists. I called Richard to download some info about Yuba and to ask him a few questions. We had a good long conversation about several issues. Here are a couple of things that came out of the interchange that might be of interest to other BFTers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]1. YUBA: The current regulations are largely the same as they were several years ago when the lake was approaching a crash. DWR knows it cannot control the ups and downs of the lake, especially conditions influenced by water levels. But, in an effort to maintain some kind of fishery, for all species, for as long as possible, they have implemented the 10 fish limit with the mandatory keeping rule during the deepwater winter months. DWR findings are that in spite of what everybody seems to think there is a high mortality rate of perch released from under the ice, even in shallower waters. I dispute this, but that is their official position. And, in spite of what some anglers have experienced (in terms of apparent lack of enforcement of releasing perch down the hole) tickets are being issued and will continue to be issued for any violations witnessed by COs.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The aim is to keep a healthy population of perch, both for anglers and for predators. But, the best way to do that is to control predators at both ends. Anglers prey on the larger perch (biggest spawners) and the predators...walleye, pike and big perch...eat the smaller fish. Regulations help limit angler harvest and keep up a large spawning population. On the other end, DWR is working to increase angler awareness of how to harvest walleyes and is strongly urging an aggressive walleye extraction effort. Richard agreed to participate if BFT wants to hold a Yuba walleye seminar sometime this spring.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I also asked Richard about "minimum pool" conditions on Yuba. His reply was that DWR has no claim on the water and cannot have a minimum pool. However, IPP...the power plant in Delta...owns the majority of the water rights and tries to maintain at least a one year supply of water in the lake. The drawdown was a one-time thing to do vital dam maintenance and upgrades. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]2. GUNNISON: Richard agreed that in the past this lake was a great fishery for several species. However, he reminded me that everything is different these days, in terms of available water and the use of the water by those who own it. No more water available but a lot more useage...resulting in the lake being drawn down to a level each year that makes it suitable for little else besides carp. 500 largemouths were planted in Gunnison last year. They will be closely monitored for health and growth before any other species will be planted.[/#0000ff]
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