04-04-2014, 01:46 AM
I was just surfing the net and somehow got on the subject of the carp removal project on utah lake and as I looked at what Google images had to show, I saw a lot of "collateral damage" in the way of white bass and walleye being hauled in. Having only seen the load of carp being brought to shore once in my life by the family that nets them(back in the 80's), I never really took the time to notice if any other species were brought in also.
My question for those of you that may know is this. Are the walleye, white bass and catfish taking a big hit by the current carp eradication program also, or are they mostly unaffected? If the nets are not gill nets, but seines, I can see how the larger fish could come through the system being relatively none the worse for wear, but the white bass could still be gilled and drown.
Does anybody know difinitively how this is affecting the other species being taken as by-catch? I'm not judging and am all for the carp being taken out if for no other reason than to see if the scientists are right about it being a solution to the improvement of habitat for suckers and the health of the lake in general. I have read how some are claiming the white bass are fewer and farther between the last couple of years and I'm curious if this could be affecting their numbers or if it is just coincidental to the carp project.
BTW, I'm absolutely not trying to stir the pot with this question by riling up pro-walleye guys or some other equally passionate crowd, just thinking my curiosity could be satisfied by some of you here on this site that may have seen or have personal knowledge or insight pertaining to this matter.
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My question for those of you that may know is this. Are the walleye, white bass and catfish taking a big hit by the current carp eradication program also, or are they mostly unaffected? If the nets are not gill nets, but seines, I can see how the larger fish could come through the system being relatively none the worse for wear, but the white bass could still be gilled and drown.
Does anybody know difinitively how this is affecting the other species being taken as by-catch? I'm not judging and am all for the carp being taken out if for no other reason than to see if the scientists are right about it being a solution to the improvement of habitat for suckers and the health of the lake in general. I have read how some are claiming the white bass are fewer and farther between the last couple of years and I'm curious if this could be affecting their numbers or if it is just coincidental to the carp project.
BTW, I'm absolutely not trying to stir the pot with this question by riling up pro-walleye guys or some other equally passionate crowd, just thinking my curiosity could be satisfied by some of you here on this site that may have seen or have personal knowledge or insight pertaining to this matter.
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