07-12-2019, 12:07 AM
Thanks for all of the responses. I realize there are differences in opinions on how Scofield should be managed and how the current approach is working. I also appreciate everyone's passion for the reservoir and fishing in general.
I did speak with one of the DWR's SE region fishery biologists today. I asked specifically about the slot and what they are seeing in their gill net studies. He said they see quite a number of trout below the slot, only a few in the slot, then again quite a few over the slot. He attributed that to rapid growth of trout once they reach the slot size. I had read in a Utah State University report that trout become strongly piscivorous (?) when they reach about 14 inches in length or so. Thus the slot starting at 15 inches. I asked him about that and he said yes, they start eating more chubs at that size and put on rapid growth.
As for chubs, he said the numbers in the gill nets now are similar or approaching what they see in other successful SE region fisheries like Joe's Valley Reservoir. He thinks the fishing in Scofield is poised to really improve this fall. They are stocking rainbows again (over 31,000 from 10-12" last year), and also stocked 26,000 larger (10-12") tiger trout this year. He said those tiger trout will start eating chubs now and up to about 4" in size, which will happen late summer. He thinks those tiger trout could be up to 17" by late fall and into ice fishing season.
He said fishing in the summer is best very early or very late in the day, and mentioned speaking with someone who recently caught a couple of trout, a wiper, and a tiger musky from shore near the campground by the dam arm.
While I would still like to see the hard numbers from the survey for myself, I am encouraged by the discussion I had today. I think Scofield is headed in the right direction, just may be a little more time to get back to what it once was. From my experience, it is already much better than just a few years ago. I may need to change tactics or get out on the water to better assess the conditions.
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I did speak with one of the DWR's SE region fishery biologists today. I asked specifically about the slot and what they are seeing in their gill net studies. He said they see quite a number of trout below the slot, only a few in the slot, then again quite a few over the slot. He attributed that to rapid growth of trout once they reach the slot size. I had read in a Utah State University report that trout become strongly piscivorous (?) when they reach about 14 inches in length or so. Thus the slot starting at 15 inches. I asked him about that and he said yes, they start eating more chubs at that size and put on rapid growth.
As for chubs, he said the numbers in the gill nets now are similar or approaching what they see in other successful SE region fisheries like Joe's Valley Reservoir. He thinks the fishing in Scofield is poised to really improve this fall. They are stocking rainbows again (over 31,000 from 10-12" last year), and also stocked 26,000 larger (10-12") tiger trout this year. He said those tiger trout will start eating chubs now and up to about 4" in size, which will happen late summer. He thinks those tiger trout could be up to 17" by late fall and into ice fishing season.
He said fishing in the summer is best very early or very late in the day, and mentioned speaking with someone who recently caught a couple of trout, a wiper, and a tiger musky from shore near the campground by the dam arm.
While I would still like to see the hard numbers from the survey for myself, I am encouraged by the discussion I had today. I think Scofield is headed in the right direction, just may be a little more time to get back to what it once was. From my experience, it is already much better than just a few years ago. I may need to change tactics or get out on the water to better assess the conditions.
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j.o.a.t.m.o.n.
jack of all tackle, master of none
j.o.a.t.m.o.n.
jack of all tackle, master of none