02-13-2017, 03:07 PM
I spoke with Mike Slater, udwr biologist at Springville regarding the Northerns. Mike told me that there were way more than the department likes in the lake now and it appears that the population is well established.
During a netting sample at Lincoln Beach near the springs several large pike showed up in the nets.
Two years ago I saw many fingerling pike in Hobble Creek in the spring.
The DWR wants anglers to take any northerns caught to the Springville office. They will give you lures or something for your efforts. The fish are then sent to SLC for an analysis of stomach contents. I believe that Mike said their investigations revealed that the pike tested had eaten 13% June Suckers. I'm sure that doesn't please the June Sucker recovery biologists but I don't know what can be done about it now that the fish are established.
I haven't caught one nor have I targeted them, but I intend to this year. From what I hear, there are all age classes in the lake including trophy fish and I suspect that if the lake continues to rise they will have a good spawning year.
Anglers probably can't make a difference in the populations, but catching and killing them can't hurt. One step in the management plan. I think anglers should make the best of an unfortunate situation and catch as many as they can. They are great fighters and very good to eat. That's my thoughts. Good Luck
During a netting sample at Lincoln Beach near the springs several large pike showed up in the nets.
Two years ago I saw many fingerling pike in Hobble Creek in the spring.
The DWR wants anglers to take any northerns caught to the Springville office. They will give you lures or something for your efforts. The fish are then sent to SLC for an analysis of stomach contents. I believe that Mike said their investigations revealed that the pike tested had eaten 13% June Suckers. I'm sure that doesn't please the June Sucker recovery biologists but I don't know what can be done about it now that the fish are established.
I haven't caught one nor have I targeted them, but I intend to this year. From what I hear, there are all age classes in the lake including trophy fish and I suspect that if the lake continues to rise they will have a good spawning year.
Anglers probably can't make a difference in the populations, but catching and killing them can't hurt. One step in the management plan. I think anglers should make the best of an unfortunate situation and catch as many as they can. They are great fighters and very good to eat. That's my thoughts. Good Luck