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My question is this. If we are allowed 6 sticks and are strongly encouraged to go for burbot to control the populations in the Gorge, killing them immediately, wouldn't it be a good idea allow burbot caught and killed at FG to be used as bait at Flaming Gorge? We are also encouraged to harvest small lake trout as well. Burbot for bait wouldn't adversely effect the smallmouth or Kokanee fishery, could be a good bait tipped on presentations to lakers. It probably wouldn't increase a harvest on rainbows or browns either. It would also encourage Laker fisherman to perhaps slay a few burbot to use them as bait (granted they are caught by laker fisherman regularly anyway). I'm just thinking that those who pursue burbot individually would have greater success throwing a little piece of burbot back on the hook rather than a dead sucker that has been freezer burned for 12 months. Everybody loves fresh meat, even those ugly bastages. Perhaps somebody from the DWR want to chime in on this and what possible negative affects using it as bait may have. PBH, you out there?
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This sounds like a good topic for conversation because I have never heard it brought up before but I don't see why the DWR would not go for it. Hopefully one of them will get in on the conversation. Welcome to the site Duckbutter.
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I don't think that burbot can be used for bait on the Wyoming side either. burbot are classified as a game fish,and using them for bait would be wanton destruction of a game fish. If that is the regulation,I would like to see this changed for the burbot on the gorge. I think being able to use burbot as bait would be a good thing.
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I think using them for bait if caught at the reservoir is no different than using perch at other select lakes. Burbot in the gorge is a fairly unique scenario, they are detrimental, and an exception should be granted.
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[quote Duckbutter]I think using them for bait if caught at the reservoir is no different than using perch at other select lakes. Burbot in the gorge is a fairly unique scenario, they are detrimental, and an exception should be granted.[/quote]
They don't let us use perch up here[:p][mad][crazy]
I wish. Although they do let us use live minnows (not at the gorge).
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I don't really care either way. I think there are better baits out there. I know they eat eachother but I have only seen it a few times. They eat suckers, bass, crayfish, chubs,eggs, etc, way more often.
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[quote kokeking]burbot are classified as a game fish,and using them for bait would be wanton destruction of a game fish.quote]
Yet at the same time white bass can be used as bait at Utah Lake while no one is trying to rid the lake of them. Infact, cut white bass meat is the best bait to use at UL in MHO
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you will never be able to use them in wyo with it being a game fish and all the guys that really catch lakers dont use bait any way so i dont see it being a big issue! or even helping for that matter!
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I'm still waiting/trying to catch one... I'll think about it then.
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I appreciate the responses so far, and I find this an interesting discussion. I don't claim to be a mac fisherman (my lifetime total is 2), and if I ever do fish for them it will be through the ice. Nor am I much of a bait fisherman, the exception being certain times while I'm ice fishing. Even while ice fishing, I prefer to fish flies that I tie myself. That being said, this post was more about positives versus negatives of burbot as bait at the Gorge. Looking at the fishery, biologically, it makes sense to me.
My point would be that if they were allowed to be used for bait, people may target them more. Also, I think fresh burbot would make a better bait that frozen sucker or anchovie while fishing through a lid. I agree that it probably wouldn't have an effect on lake trout fishing, but I really can't see the harm in allowing it as a bait. If I catch a carp there, I could use it's flesh for bait or I could release it back to the lake. Burbot, I can't do either. Plus, anything to encourage people to kill burbot for whatever reason in the lake is a good thing for the reservoir.
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Have you ever tasted ling? you can release them on the wyo side no law says you cant! It will never happen so there is no point in going on about it they are a game fish........and in wyo you cant use game fish , wyo is where 99% of the ling are being caught!that is why they put the no limit on them , to get people to target them more to consume not waste as bait! I would figure most that like to eat fish would be all over the no limit just to fill there freezers with the best eating fish out of FG!
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I think they would be wonderfull for bear bait but the law does not allow us to use that
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other than the stink and all the maggits you will have to clean up! sweets and scents such as anise aint as bad to clean up at the end of the season!
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