02-14-2017, 09:53 PM
Playing devil's advocate here.
Why would ANGLERS be against having pike in Utah Lake?
Would they deplete the numbers of current gamefish?
I understand the June Sucker issue, but I would bet the majority of anglers don't care about the Junies.
Is the fear that if the Junies disappear, then funding, and concern for the lake will go with them?
I don't know enough about the issue to have a position, so maybe some of you more informed can shed some light.
I know personally I would love to have a better option than Yuba for trophy Pike.
[quote pezvela]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[/quote]
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Why would ANGLERS be against having pike in Utah Lake?
Would they deplete the numbers of current gamefish?
I understand the June Sucker issue, but I would bet the majority of anglers don't care about the Junies.
Is the fear that if the Junies disappear, then funding, and concern for the lake will go with them?
I don't know enough about the issue to have a position, so maybe some of you more informed can shed some light.
I know personally I would love to have a better option than Yuba for trophy Pike.
[quote pezvela]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[/quote]
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