05-14-2013, 05:09 PM
The use of live bait represents a real threat to the native fish in Utah. Most of the states west of the continental divide have a similar rule for the same reason. States such as Texas and others allow live bait because those fish are native in those areas and the fisheries are not damaged by their introduction via a bait bucket.
This is not the case in Utah. For example, Utah chubs were introduced into Strawberry Reservoir by someone using live bait. Prior to the last treatment of the reservoir, over 95% of the fish biomass there was comprised of Utah chubs and suckers (another introduced species). That treatment cost the sportsmen of the state nearly 4 million dollars to bring back the fishery. Similarly, Utah chubs were introduced into Panguitch Lake by someone using live bait. The treatment there cost $400,000 of sportsmen money to fix the problem. Scofield Reservoir is currently experiencing a problem with illegally introduced Utah chubs and may cost $1 million dollars to fix if the current biological control does not work. The list of problems caused by the illegal introduction of fish is much more extensive.
Even in those waters where the species may already exist, it is not a good idea to use live bait. For example, red shiners occur in a number of waters already in the state, but they present a threat to native fish downstream. Use of live bait increases the likelihood that their numbers will be enhanced or moved past existing barriers through someone bringing in additional fish and releasing them at the end of the day.
Finally, the number of diseases and parasites that are carried from one body of water by the movement of fish is a major threat to our fisheries.
The bottom line is, we live in a desert and our aquatic ecosystems are fragile. Movement of fish and diseases through the use of live bait has the potential of destroying those resources that we love.
Paul Birdsey
Coldwater Sportfish Coordinator
Utah DIvision of Wildlife Resources
[signature]
This is not the case in Utah. For example, Utah chubs were introduced into Strawberry Reservoir by someone using live bait. Prior to the last treatment of the reservoir, over 95% of the fish biomass there was comprised of Utah chubs and suckers (another introduced species). That treatment cost the sportsmen of the state nearly 4 million dollars to bring back the fishery. Similarly, Utah chubs were introduced into Panguitch Lake by someone using live bait. The treatment there cost $400,000 of sportsmen money to fix the problem. Scofield Reservoir is currently experiencing a problem with illegally introduced Utah chubs and may cost $1 million dollars to fix if the current biological control does not work. The list of problems caused by the illegal introduction of fish is much more extensive.
Even in those waters where the species may already exist, it is not a good idea to use live bait. For example, red shiners occur in a number of waters already in the state, but they present a threat to native fish downstream. Use of live bait increases the likelihood that their numbers will be enhanced or moved past existing barriers through someone bringing in additional fish and releasing them at the end of the day.
Finally, the number of diseases and parasites that are carried from one body of water by the movement of fish is a major threat to our fisheries.
The bottom line is, we live in a desert and our aquatic ecosystems are fragile. Movement of fish and diseases through the use of live bait has the potential of destroying those resources that we love.
Paul Birdsey
Coldwater Sportfish Coordinator
Utah DIvision of Wildlife Resources
[signature]