01-30-2013, 11:56 PM
A very interesting discussion. A couple of points. The plan for Jordanelle/ Deer Creek was to stabelize the level of Deer Creek by releases from Jordanelle. That has not been the case for the most part due to construction/repair work at Deer Creek and now Jordanelle.
Tiger Muskie: We do not have to rely on outside sources for Tiger Muskie any more. DWR was able to obtain disease free Muskies several years ago, so we now have our own Muskie and Northern Pike to produce our own Tiger Muskie fry. I believe that last year they had a small problem that reduced the production. Check with Drew on that. They are also going to produce their own wipers, so you may see more of them around.
Forage vs Habitat: While forage, groceries, are a very important factor, in the west, fluctuating water levels and habitat are by far the most critical. If you look at Lake Powell for instance. We have gone through some of the most severe drawdowns at Powell, allowing the growth of habitat throughout the lake. As the lake levels rise, the fish populations have exploded, resulting in some of the best fishing that Powell has ever seen. When Deer Creek stays fairly full, keeping the north flats and Wallsburg flooded, the populations boom. When they dewater those areas, we loose year classes of fish and fishing eventually sucks. Jordanelle, as it ages, will have the same problems, good habitat till it gets left high and dry !!
Cold water fish vs warm water fish: Most trout species do not switch from Zooplakton to other fish till they reach the mid teens. Think about it, they live in cold, somewhat sterile waters ( cold water) so there are not many forage species avaiable in the diet. Warm water species however switch from Zooplankton to forage fish almost immediatly after hatching. Go to a hatchery that produces walleye fry and watch the fry forming daisy chains ( grabbing the tail of another fry ) and swimming around the jars in a long chain within hours of absorbing the egg sac. Most warm water species are predators from the beginning and require prey species to be successful.
Just a few thoughts !!!
Tiger Muskie: We do not have to rely on outside sources for Tiger Muskie any more. DWR was able to obtain disease free Muskies several years ago, so we now have our own Muskie and Northern Pike to produce our own Tiger Muskie fry. I believe that last year they had a small problem that reduced the production. Check with Drew on that. They are also going to produce their own wipers, so you may see more of them around.
Forage vs Habitat: While forage, groceries, are a very important factor, in the west, fluctuating water levels and habitat are by far the most critical. If you look at Lake Powell for instance. We have gone through some of the most severe drawdowns at Powell, allowing the growth of habitat throughout the lake. As the lake levels rise, the fish populations have exploded, resulting in some of the best fishing that Powell has ever seen. When Deer Creek stays fairly full, keeping the north flats and Wallsburg flooded, the populations boom. When they dewater those areas, we loose year classes of fish and fishing eventually sucks. Jordanelle, as it ages, will have the same problems, good habitat till it gets left high and dry !!
Cold water fish vs warm water fish: Most trout species do not switch from Zooplakton to other fish till they reach the mid teens. Think about it, they live in cold, somewhat sterile waters ( cold water) so there are not many forage species avaiable in the diet. Warm water species however switch from Zooplankton to forage fish almost immediatly after hatching. Go to a hatchery that produces walleye fry and watch the fry forming daisy chains ( grabbing the tail of another fry ) and swimming around the jars in a long chain within hours of absorbing the egg sac. Most warm water species are predators from the beginning and require prey species to be successful.
Just a few thoughts !!!