03-18-2022, 01:24 PM
Before launching my tube on Willard last Tuesday I chatted briefly with Chris Penne of DWR. He was just getting ready to launch with a few other DWR folks on their first netting of Walleyes for the year. I sent him an email inquiring as to how their initial netting went and the following is his reply. A synopsis is that it looks good for walleye anglers this year...and into the future. But the potential outlook for Willard Bay Reservoir is scary.
Found plenty of walleye. Fish looked great, but none of the females were ready to give eggs. We're doing a pretty limited take this year as we conduct some experiments. We've been doing pretty good with the program, but want to focus on working out some kinks that will make us a lot more efficient if we can get them figured out. We'll be setting nets again Monday and see if the female walleye are getting more ready.
Fishing should be really good this year - the challenge for most is going to be getting their boats on the water. One of the last reports I heard from the water distributors was that unless we get a big change in precipitation, Willard could hit dead pool by late June or early July. The fishery should be okay - it will just be typical Utah Lake water levels. There just won't be much water left in either marina.
Chris
Found plenty of walleye. Fish looked great, but none of the females were ready to give eggs. We're doing a pretty limited take this year as we conduct some experiments. We've been doing pretty good with the program, but want to focus on working out some kinks that will make us a lot more efficient if we can get them figured out. We'll be setting nets again Monday and see if the female walleye are getting more ready.
Fishing should be really good this year - the challenge for most is going to be getting their boats on the water. One of the last reports I heard from the water distributors was that unless we get a big change in precipitation, Willard could hit dead pool by late June or early July. The fishery should be okay - it will just be typical Utah Lake water levels. There just won't be much water left in either marina.
Chris