01-23-2013, 03:39 PM
Hello all,
Fishermn is right. The DWR has not decided on a course of action for Scofield yet. We are awaiting the results of the Utah State study which is due in the next couple of months before making a decision.
Two outcomes from the study are possible:
Option 1. There is no way that the tiger trout and Bear Lake cutthroat trout will control the chubs. If that is the case, then we will need to find the money for a treatment. This is expected to cost between $750,000 and $1,000,000. We have started the planning and acquiring the necessary clearances in case this happens, but of course we hope this is not the case.
Option 2. The second possible outcome is that the study will show that the tiger trout and Bear Lake cutthroat can control the chubs. It is possible that this will require some changes to the current stocking to add even more of these predators, but we are preparing to make that happen if necessary.
The bottom line is that for the next few months we simply do not have an answer. There is no planned change on the regulation in 2013. Under the best of circumstances we will not even consider doing a treatment until the fall of 2014. We will liberalize the limit prior to a treatment if we decide to go that way.
We recognize that Scofield continues to be a popular fishery and we are committed to doing what is necessary.
I hope this clears up any questions.
Paul Birdsey
Coldwater Sportfish Coordinator
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
[signature]
Fishermn is right. The DWR has not decided on a course of action for Scofield yet. We are awaiting the results of the Utah State study which is due in the next couple of months before making a decision.
Two outcomes from the study are possible:
Option 1. There is no way that the tiger trout and Bear Lake cutthroat trout will control the chubs. If that is the case, then we will need to find the money for a treatment. This is expected to cost between $750,000 and $1,000,000. We have started the planning and acquiring the necessary clearances in case this happens, but of course we hope this is not the case.
Option 2. The second possible outcome is that the study will show that the tiger trout and Bear Lake cutthroat can control the chubs. It is possible that this will require some changes to the current stocking to add even more of these predators, but we are preparing to make that happen if necessary.
The bottom line is that for the next few months we simply do not have an answer. There is no planned change on the regulation in 2013. Under the best of circumstances we will not even consider doing a treatment until the fall of 2014. We will liberalize the limit prior to a treatment if we decide to go that way.
We recognize that Scofield continues to be a popular fishery and we are committed to doing what is necessary.
I hope this clears up any questions.
Paul Birdsey
Coldwater Sportfish Coordinator
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
[signature]