Pineview drive by

[wiperhunter2]

After a member ask about Pineview I decided to drive up there this morning for a look see.
First place I went, was Andersen cove, price to launch, even in Fall and Winter is $23.01 and the ramp was covered in snow. OK for a snowmobile but not for a boat launch, unless you have chain on. Next place was to check out, the Narrows, no ice. Next to the Port ramp, all gated up. Next to the North, walk in access, might be enough to get an ATV through but with the snow piled up, it would be tough. Next to the cemetery point parking area, it too was gated up. There you have it, our federal dollars at work. There was a bunch of turkeys around the lake and by a bunch, I mean hundreds.

[Kent]

That is an odd amount for the launch fee.

[wiperhunter2]

That is an odd amount for the launch fee.

Yes, I thought it was very odd. I bet there is a story behind that, but that's an outrageous price to use that ramp and that means that is the cost to take a snowmobile or anything else off that ramp.

[RockyRaab2]

It's likely a percentage increase over the last outrageous fee. You can bet it will go up again come Spring, and will continue to go up as long as the concessionaire has carte blanche from the Forest Service.

[dubob]

Agree; disagree - it matters not to me.  My take is this on Pineview and any other FEDERAL managed venue being run by a concessionaire.  The concessionaire is in it to make money.  Period!  They don't give a hoot what you think about their fee schedule.  They will charge you whatever it takes to keep the bottom line in the black.

Okay, let's look at it from a watercraft owners view.  You are recreating in a watercraft worth north of 6 figures and use it one or two days a week at Pineview throughout the 100 days of summer.  The annual pass is $180.  You make 28 visits in the 100 days.  Your cost per visit is about $6.50.  Or, you can pay the daily fee of $23.  Either way, compared to your equipment cost, that's pocket change.

Let's say you just like to fish, and your budget allowed you to investment in a $10,000 or less tin boat/motor/trailer.  Now the fees are a significant cost to your limited budget, and you will likely pass on using Pineview.

Do the Feds care?  Of course not.  They're happy because they don't have to deal with it and let the concessionaire run it any way that makes the concessionaire a profit.

There isn't anything in Pineview that I'm interested in paying an obscene fee to catch that I can't catch in dozens of venues that I can get into free with my State and Federal lifetime passes.  Your annual State Parks pass gets you entry into all but one or two of the State Parks for $65/$125 (Senior/Non-Senior) whereas the Pineview Annual Pass gets you into Pineview only.  Your money; your choice.  I won't be fishing in Pineview anytime soon.

[Jedidiah]

One of the cameras by Pineview at https://udottraffic.utah.gov/ points right at the Narrows, just fyi.

[Crimson]

Maybe too early to tell, but did you notice if the parking area by the caretakers dwelling by the Dam was plowed, and also the browing point access parking?

Also, I couldn't tell if one of your pictures was the gate to the parking lot just before the Port ramp? Was it closed also?

I would say the Crappie fishing at Pineview is second only to Lake Powell. Not the size, but numbers in general. The other places like Willard Bay, Deer Creek, and supposedly East Canyon, are hit or miss for Crappie.

[wiperhunter2]

Maybe too early to tell, but did you notice if the parking area by the caretakers dwelling by the Dam was plowed, and also the browing point access parking?

Also, I couldn't tell if one of your pictures was the gate to the parking lot just before the Port ramp?  Was it closed also?

I would say the Crappie fishing at Pineview is second only to Lake Powell.  Not the size, but numbers in general.  The other places like Willard Bay, Deer Creek, and supposedly East Canyon, are hit or miss for Crappie.

There was a little snow there by the care takers house and there were two cars parked there but no, it wasn't plowed but they are doing construction there, so it's down to one lane at the moment. Browning point road was plowed and it looks like people have been walking down to the water there. All ramps and parking lots are closed except for Anderson cove, that one at Browning point and the wind surfer beach, just before the port ramp. In years past we have caught some nice crappie at PV, up to 14", in the Fall after they stopped charging to launch but ly, those days are over, unless things change.

[Crimson]

Thanks Wiperhunter2 for the additional information. I miss the days when it was free parking at cemetary point and a short walk to get on the ice.

[wiperhunter2]

Thanks Wiperhunter2 for the additional information.  I miss the days when it was free parking at cemetary point and a short walk to get on the ice.

Agreed, at least the access at Browning point is still free for now, they will likely change that too, before long.

[MWScott72]

Thanks Wiperhunter for that detailed report. Sounds like Pineview is a bit early for ice.

As to access being gated off and stupid fees being charged, I wish Inhad a gig where I could do absolutely nothing and get paid for it. I wonder if a letter to our Federal representatives would do anything at all? I’m sure some on here have tried it. If so, what was their response??

[RockyRaab2]

The Forest Service has no incentive to change. They also have to do exactly nothing except collect the contract fee from he concessionaire.

Pineview is the closest lake to my house and I'd love to fish it for its mix of fish. But not at that confiscatory launch fee added to the probability of being killed by drunken powerboaters.

[wiperhunter2]

At a minimum, the fees in the Fall and Winter should be reduced, since they are not even manning that station or doing anything to clean up the ramp, totally ridicules.

[dubob]

At a minimum, the fees in the Fall and Winter should be reduced, since they are not even manning that station or doing anything to clean up the ramp, totally ridicules.

Curt,

You're forgetting rule #1 in the Utah Recreation contract - make as much money as you can.  ?

[RockyRaab2]

If they reduced it to one dollar and only one boat launched, that'd be a dollar more than they're making now.

[wiperhunter2]

If they reduced it to one dollar and only one boat launched, that'd be a dollar more than they're making now.

Isn't that the truth!! Such a waste of a great resource.

[fryman1]

After a member ask about Pineview I decided to drive up there this morning for a look see.
First place I went, was Andersen cove, price to launch, even in Fall and Winter is $23.01 and the ramp was covered in snow. OK for a snowmobile but not for a boat launch, unless you have chain on. Next place was to check out, the Narrows, no ice. Next to the Port ramp, all gated up. Next to the North, walk in access, might be enough to get an ATV through but with the snow piled up, it would be tough. Next to the cemetery point parking area, it too was gated up. There you have it, our federal dollars at work. There was a bunch of turkeys around the lake and by a bunch, I mean hundreds.

I think they must be melting all those Penny's to sell copper.