12-03-2020, 04:25 AM
In Europe I found that I had to take a test, call it the equivalent of a hunting education test, to get a license. This was back in the 80's and of course I was an American, so who knows what it is now. But I see this as the "future" of our fishing; I don't know if this is good or not.
The double edge sward is that one cutting side is more regulations, one for each body of water, the other cutting side is a uniform regulation statewide that leaves most lakes fair, none good.
I don't see a huge problem with our management, but a huge problem exist with enforcement, simply not enough of it. Too many people fishing without the licenses, without the knowledge. In Washington State all you need to do is pretend you don't speak English and they leave you alone no matter what fishing law you break.....I hope that is not true in Utah.
With enhanced enforcement, increased ability to create mid-cycle changes would be fantastic, but ..... One of the reasons for a two year cycle is the reduced cost of creating regulation booklets. Another is the legal reviews for every change. Still, two years can be two years too long in some cases.
So, the random thoughts above show how
I am on this issue for sure. I know what needs to be done, just not sure how it should be done.
I do NOT believe that Willard regulations should be imposed on Pineview or Hyrum. I do believe that habitat improvement or cover in Willard is the proper way to go, harder or not. If you don't protect the young of the year then no matter how few you catch you will never get to critical mass where the population can sustain itself. I did and do allow for the possibility that overfishing can impact a perch fishery. In the case of Willard, the lack of fish in the sample nets tells me that other issues are more of a problem and that of over fishing, but that over fishing can be the final nail in the coffin.
Would I support a 10 perch limit in Willard? Sure, I release most fish anyway, so that is asking the church choir for an alleluia. Most of the people on this site probably are choir members in that same church of the fish, so our opinion may not be the most valid.
So many issues, so many thoughts. But, Thanks Chris for looking into this. you know that before carp became a major player in Willard I am told that weeds were more prevalent and that even Large Mouth Bass were common. Carp will never be removed, but weed replacing cover is, in my humble opinion, the smartest investment to that fishery.
But, what do I know? LOL
The double edge sward is that one cutting side is more regulations, one for each body of water, the other cutting side is a uniform regulation statewide that leaves most lakes fair, none good.
I don't see a huge problem with our management, but a huge problem exist with enforcement, simply not enough of it. Too many people fishing without the licenses, without the knowledge. In Washington State all you need to do is pretend you don't speak English and they leave you alone no matter what fishing law you break.....I hope that is not true in Utah.
With enhanced enforcement, increased ability to create mid-cycle changes would be fantastic, but ..... One of the reasons for a two year cycle is the reduced cost of creating regulation booklets. Another is the legal reviews for every change. Still, two years can be two years too long in some cases.
So, the random thoughts above show how
I am on this issue for sure. I know what needs to be done, just not sure how it should be done.I do NOT believe that Willard regulations should be imposed on Pineview or Hyrum. I do believe that habitat improvement or cover in Willard is the proper way to go, harder or not. If you don't protect the young of the year then no matter how few you catch you will never get to critical mass where the population can sustain itself. I did and do allow for the possibility that overfishing can impact a perch fishery. In the case of Willard, the lack of fish in the sample nets tells me that other issues are more of a problem and that of over fishing, but that over fishing can be the final nail in the coffin.
Would I support a 10 perch limit in Willard? Sure, I release most fish anyway, so that is asking the church choir for an alleluia. Most of the people on this site probably are choir members in that same church of the fish, so our opinion may not be the most valid.
So many issues, so many thoughts. But, Thanks Chris for looking into this. you know that before carp became a major player in Willard I am told that weeds were more prevalent and that even Large Mouth Bass were common. Carp will never be removed, but weed replacing cover is, in my humble opinion, the smartest investment to that fishery.
But, what do I know? LOL