02-21-2013, 11:20 PM
Perch rank right there with the Walleyes. I doubt the USFWS would allow them to be there. Probably a guarantee for a rotenone treatment, just like Walleyes were in the 90s. And they would be worse than chubs as far as what they would do to a fishery.
MasterDadd,
They did basically the same study at Strawberry before the rotenone treatment there. They were trying to determine if they could plant enough Bear Lake Cutthroat in there to reduce the chubs to a manageable level. They couldn't. I'd wager that they can't plant enough Tiger Trout and Bear Lake Cutthroat Trout in Scofield to reduce the numbers of Utah Chubs to a manageable level.
As I said in another thread:
MasterDadd,
They did basically the same study at Strawberry before the rotenone treatment there. They were trying to determine if they could plant enough Bear Lake Cutthroat in there to reduce the chubs to a manageable level. They couldn't. I'd wager that they can't plant enough Tiger Trout and Bear Lake Cutthroat Trout in Scofield to reduce the numbers of Utah Chubs to a manageable level.
As I said in another thread:
Quote:I'll make a few predictions about Scofield and the possible rotenone treatment. Off topic again, but it seems like those who are still following might be the ones who will understand.[signature]
First. I'm convinced that the study that is currently underway will indicate that a poisoning with rotenone is the best option for Scofield.
Second. The UDWR will do everything in their power to accomplish that treatment.
Third. If they can get the approvals, get the rotenone, and get the treatment accomplished that you will see the best growth rates for fish that most people have ever seen. It will refute the adage that "in order to grow big fish, you've gotta have little fish for them to eat".
Fourth. That the UDWR will immediately plant Rainbows, Bear Lake Cutthroat Trout, and Tiger Trout back in the reservoir. The Rainbows will grow to 20 inches in no time at all. Can you say 'Starvation Steelies'? The Cutthroats will be just like most of the Cutthroats in there now. Most of them will be under 18 inches, and not very thick. The Tigers will probably be fewer in numbers, but there will be some that get big. Maybe not as big as some of them are now, but still a few over 5 pounds.
Fifth. The number of anglers and angler hours at Scofield will increase exponentially. At least doubled.
Sixth. Some bozo will bring chubs back, because they believe that "in order to grow big fish, you've gotta have little fish for them to eat".
Seventh. As soon as the chubs become populous enough to eat a significant portion of the zooplankton, the growth rates of all of the fish, except Tigers will slow down.
Eighth. Somebody will complain that they feel cheated that UDWR only manages for trout. They won't be happy that Scofield would draw people away from their warm water fisheries, thereby leaving them with more opportunities.