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[cool][#0000ff]Most of us fisherfolk like to take potshots at DWR. Many view them as the enemy, rather than as the guys who try to provide good fishing for all. Heck, I take my shots too. And, the good news is that most DWR folks I talk to openly invite the public to communicate...even the negative. They know they are targets, but bringing up gripes and airing expectations with them is the only way to let them know what we want...even if they can't (won't) always GIT 'ER DONE.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]With that in mind, I first sent a PM to Drew Cushing, Dir. of Warm Water Fisheries. He suggested that I contact Richard Hepworth, one of the fisheries biologists. I called Richard to download some info about Yuba and to ask him a few questions. We had a good long conversation about several issues. Here are a couple of things that came out of the interchange that might be of interest to other BFTers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]1. YUBA: The current regulations are largely the same as they were several years ago when the lake was approaching a crash. DWR knows it cannot control the ups and downs of the lake, especially conditions influenced by water levels. But, in an effort to maintain some kind of fishery, for all species, for as long as possible, they have implemented the 10 fish limit with the mandatory keeping rule during the deepwater winter months. DWR findings are that in spite of what everybody seems to think there is a high mortality rate of perch released from under the ice, even in shallower waters. I dispute this, but that is their official position. And, in spite of what some anglers have experienced (in terms of apparent lack of enforcement of releasing perch down the hole) tickets are being issued and will continue to be issued for any violations witnessed by COs.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The aim is to keep a healthy population of perch, both for anglers and for predators. But, the best way to do that is to control predators at both ends. Anglers prey on the larger perch (biggest spawners) and the predators...walleye, pike and big perch...eat the smaller fish. Regulations help limit angler harvest and keep up a large spawning population. On the other end, DWR is working to increase angler awareness of how to harvest walleyes and is strongly urging an aggressive walleye extraction effort. Richard agreed to participate if BFT wants to hold a Yuba walleye seminar sometime this spring.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I also asked Richard about "minimum pool" conditions on Yuba. His reply was that DWR has no claim on the water and cannot have a minimum pool. However, IPP...the power plant in Delta...owns the majority of the water rights and tries to maintain at least a one year supply of water in the lake. The drawdown was a one-time thing to do vital dam maintenance and upgrades. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]2. GUNNISON: Richard agreed that in the past this lake was a great fishery for several species. However, he reminded me that everything is different these days, in terms of available water and the use of the water by those who own it. No more water available but a lot more useage...resulting in the lake being drawn down to a level each year that makes it suitable for little else besides carp. 500 largemouths were planted in Gunnison last year. They will be closely monitored for health and growth before any other species will be planted.[/#0000ff]
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So is the 10 perch limit going to stay the same for the next several years?
Are there that many walleye in Yuba that the DWR wants them removed or do they just not want any walleye in there?
What exactly do they want with Yuba as a fishery in the long run?
I'm not trying to be critical of DWR. I just hope that Yuba becomes a great fishery soon as it is so close now and I only have two years left.
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I had a similer question. Is the harvesting of walleye to help keep the lake from its natural boom bust cycle?
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Any talk about the current Yuba Walleye population?
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[cool][#0000ff]DWR recognizes that their role with Yuba is to try to steer the thundering herd, rather than maintaining absolute control. There is no way they can manage the unmanageable. Their best hope is to preserve the forage base (perch), so that the predators can have food for as long as possible...before the next cycle of drought and crash. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In spite of what many of us die hard Yubaites want to believe, DWR has a long and detailed history of the rise and fall of Yuba. They really do know the biology. Right now they see it poised for an explosion of walleyes. That would mean a huge annual munching of perchlets...from new hatchlings to as big as the biggest walleye and pike can consume.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The lake has a swelling population of walleyes right now. Only a few over about 4 or 5 pounds, but a grundle of two year old fish in the 15 to 18 inch range. Those will be eating lots of perch this year and spawning next year. BOOM.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Many anglers (myself included) did not catch many (any) walleyes last year. A select few walleye pros DID have some multi fish days on both walleyes and pike. They are in there but they are well fed and not easy to fool. But, during the June post spawn period this coming spring, there is good reason to believe that lots of two pounders will start showing up. Then, once the young of the year perch fry start getting some size on them, and the carp have spawned too, the walleyes will become harder to catch again.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]DWR did not plant walleyes back in the lake after the drain and fill. They know from experience that there is no need to. In fact, the only fish (besides trout) they planted were perch. They knew that they needed a head start against the inevitable takeover by walleyes. And, that is starting to happen. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It is not that DWR does not want walleyes in Yuba. They recognize the tremendous fishery it can provide and the increased number of angler days that will result once there is a good population of wallies. They are just trying to ba proactive in some kind of management. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As I discussed with Richard, the big problem in walleye harvest is that very few Utah anglers really have the knowledge and experience to TARGET walleyes and catch them at will. As I have maintained for years...MOST WALLEYES ARE CAUGHT BY ACCIDENT...BY ANGLERS FISHING FOR SOMETHING ELSE. That is why we are trying to put together one or more seminars to cover both the biology and the fishing methods to better inform would-be wallie whackers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You only have two years left? Hope that is either job or military related and not because of something terminal. I'll see if I can talk to the fish and get them to multiply and grow faster...just for you.[/#0000ff]
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No military or terminal illness although school has felt like one. [  ]
I graduate in April 2009 and will likely be in Jackson, WY or Southern California. I have been in Utah for 7 years and have greatly enjoyed the fishing here. I have heard Yuba stories from the past and would like to experience just one of those days by landing one pike and one walleye there. Maybe this next fall as I will be in socal all summer.
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I'll be one of the first in line for the walleye seminar. That would be really interesting. I hope it comes into fruition!
So, do they plan on raising the limit on the walleye? Or just hope to better educate anglers?
Tubedude, I think it's really cool that you would get on the horn and express some of your concerns and worries with the DWR. Many of us talk and bang our Perch chests.. but to get on the phone and have an open discussion with the man in charge of the project.. That's cool. It's cool too that he would listen as well.
As always, thanks for the info!
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[cool][#0000ff]Not trying to toot my own horn, but I have managed to develop some friendships and not so friendly associations with a few people in the Division. In spite of our occasional differences I would like to think we maintain an attitude of mutual respect and cooperation. That helps when there is a question or issue that can only be settled by direct communication.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The really good news is that most biologists at DWR are completely open to taking phone calls from the angling public. Richard has given his permission for me to put up his number here for anybody who wants to chat...about fishing related issues. Not sure how he would do with domestic problems.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]RICHARD HEPWORTH: 801-491-5659[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]email: [url "mailto:richardhepworth@utah.gov"]richardhepworth@utah.gov[/url] [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There is no need to raise the limit on walleye at present. Populations are still low and there are precious few anglers who can hope to catch the current limit of 10. When (not if) the wallies reach "critical mass", and they begin to be easier to catch when their food supply dwindles, DWR will rethink the situation. But, since it takes a couple of years to get it through the RAC process the lake could crash and be devoid of all walleyes before the higher limit is passed. (Sorry DWR. Couldn't resist.)[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Had some cyber conversation with Drew Cushing after my telephone chat with Richard. Again, Drew is the new Director of Warm Water (non-trout) Fisheries. He is really taking a proactive approach to heading the walleyes off at the pass and doing whatever he can to both educate potential walleye anglers and to encourage more angler days and walleye harvest.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]When you think about it, the current funky regulations on perch are almost worth it...if the tradeoff is more good walleye fishing, for more anglers, for a longer time before Mama Nature trips out and wrecks the train.[/#0000ff]
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Pat, thanks for taking the time to express in writing here what you discussed in your conversation with the DWR. Now hopefully we'll have some monster wallies to play with over the next few years!
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[reply]Any talk about the current Yuba Walleye population?[/reply]
Here are some walleye pics. The first pic is of a fishing trip this past year--all the fish were caught trolling for walley with worm harnesses. The second pic is of a fish caught by the DWR from a fish survey almost 3 years ago.
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Wow... Looks like I need to bottom bounce Yuba.. [cool]
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We hit Yuba last year for one day of walleye and pike fishing we got 8 eyes and 5 pike some of the eyes went up to 5lb and the pike to 35" we kept 4 walleyes and 2 pike to eat and sent the others back to grow a little this year you could see a lot more walleye and some good size pike in Yuba ....
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As always thanks for the great info TD. I would love to be part of a walleye meeting. I think the biologist are doing the best they can, I just think sometimes it is the politics of the people not in the field that can do the harm.
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[size 1] just think sometimes it is the politics of the people not in the field that can do the harm. [/size]
You just hit the bullseye!!
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June is a good month to start.
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Maybe you can take me for a spin in the new Trophy! [ ]
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that a cool pic of the 4 pike and 2 walleye.. is that all ya cought that day?
it would seem to me that the DWR might want to get anglers more intrested in cleaning out some of the pike in there as well as the eye's.. there seem's to be a lot more pike in there than i ever rember.
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[cool][#0000ff]Right you are. Utah has not yet experienced pike "explosions" like there have been on waters in other states. Lakes in California, Arizona and Colorado have lakes that were the recipients of pike, by bucket bozos, and those lakes were quickly trashed. Pike are the top predators in any lake they inhabit. And, when there is suitable spawning habitat and plenty of food, they can totally wipe out the smaller species.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]What DWR fears is that the pike and walleyes will both go BOOM in the next year or two and the perch and trout will be decimated. Could happen.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That is why they want to have some public meetings to educate more anglers on how to harvest the toothy critters and to promote more angler days on Yuba. Who knows, it may turn into a mandatory keep and kill, with no limits. Wouldn't that be a hoot. Yuba burbot???[/#0000ff]
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well your kind-a right Dude. the Utah DWR has experienced a boom of pike before. Redmond had a boom of pike in the 80"s and wipped out most the food base in the lake.(some realy big pike came out then to) it has now leveled off with a bunch of stunted pike, some cat's and LM bass. carp are the main food base in the lake.
and there is the problem of the boom of pike in the green river as well.
i would not like being the Guy to have to even try and manage a lake with pike in it! in check they are a great predator, out of control they can and will decimat a food base..
the tiger musky in my eye's are a much better predator and easyer to manage in the long run. to bad they did not have them back in the good old day's.. lol
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