10-13-2008, 06:26 PM
This needs to be said, and might further explain the problem at Fish Lake:
UDWR Salt Lake office made a big mistake. Standardization of regulations has caused some waves in the angling community, and hopefully in the SL office as well.
Prior to recent years, spear fishing for lake trout in October has been illegal. A season date ending on September 30 had been in place for many years to prevent the spearfishing of lake trout while spawning. They are sitting ducks. They shouldn't be spearfished while in this vulnerable state. In fact, I don't believe that there is another place in the U.S. that allows spearfishing of lake trout during their spawn. This is the very reason why the recent spearfishing tournament broke not 1 but 2 world records!!
People should not be upset with the spearfishermen. They did their angling legally. Anglers SHOULD be upset with the Salt Lake office for making the regulation change. The whole "standardization" of regulations in Utah is a bunch of garbage! Regulations need to be put in place based on specific needs of individual waters. Fish Lake spearfishing needs to be regulated, and closed this time of year. If divers want to spearfish them in the summer, have at it.
For those anglers that have been upset with this attrocity, please direct it to the propper people. The Southern Region biologists know and understand the problem, but their hands are already tied. Complaints need to be directed to the Salt Lake office. Only then will this issue be corrected.
Now is the time to speak up! The recommendations for the 2009 Fishing Guide need to be brought up now, before it's too late. Let's get this taken care of and protect those fish. With Fish Lake being the only place in the U.S. that allows spearfishing during the spawn, and with 2 world records being broken on the same day, how much publicity do you think the spearfishing community will get at Fish Lake? Now is the time to fix this. Now is the time to let Roger Wilson know that anglers want this regulation put back the way the Southern Region had it for many, many years. Closed from October to June. Contact the RAC and WB members with your thoughts on the subject, and let's see if this can get fixed!
PBH
[signature]
UDWR Salt Lake office made a big mistake. Standardization of regulations has caused some waves in the angling community, and hopefully in the SL office as well.
Prior to recent years, spear fishing for lake trout in October has been illegal. A season date ending on September 30 had been in place for many years to prevent the spearfishing of lake trout while spawning. They are sitting ducks. They shouldn't be spearfished while in this vulnerable state. In fact, I don't believe that there is another place in the U.S. that allows spearfishing of lake trout during their spawn. This is the very reason why the recent spearfishing tournament broke not 1 but 2 world records!!
People should not be upset with the spearfishermen. They did their angling legally. Anglers SHOULD be upset with the Salt Lake office for making the regulation change. The whole "standardization" of regulations in Utah is a bunch of garbage! Regulations need to be put in place based on specific needs of individual waters. Fish Lake spearfishing needs to be regulated, and closed this time of year. If divers want to spearfish them in the summer, have at it.
For those anglers that have been upset with this attrocity, please direct it to the propper people. The Southern Region biologists know and understand the problem, but their hands are already tied. Complaints need to be directed to the Salt Lake office. Only then will this issue be corrected.
Now is the time to speak up! The recommendations for the 2009 Fishing Guide need to be brought up now, before it's too late. Let's get this taken care of and protect those fish. With Fish Lake being the only place in the U.S. that allows spearfishing during the spawn, and with 2 world records being broken on the same day, how much publicity do you think the spearfishing community will get at Fish Lake? Now is the time to fix this. Now is the time to let Roger Wilson know that anglers want this regulation put back the way the Southern Region had it for many, many years. Closed from October to June. Contact the RAC and WB members with your thoughts on the subject, and let's see if this can get fixed!
PBH
[signature]