07-23-2008, 08:46 PM
Where to start !! Regarding the introduction of Walleye into Deer Creek. Several stories abound, one that several individuals filled milk cans with fish from Ut.Lake and dumped them into Deer Creek. The other is that a DWR tech did not empty a tank on his truck after a run to Starvation and dumped them into DC on the way back to Springville. Yes, they used to raise walleye at the Springville Hatchery, so that may be a credible story. I personally tend to believe the second as being the most credible as the first supposedly occurred in the mid 60's. To the best of my knowledge, walleye did not start showing up at DC till the early 80's. I was pulling nets with Charlie Thompson when the first ones appeared. This was in 82 or 83, also the first year that I caught one also.
As to the stocking of June Suckers in Ut. Lake. The reason that they are using the barge is to prevent what you are applauding, the dining on the suckers by the rest of the predators in the lake. If they were to dump them in the river, in the harbor, etc, the scene as described at the upper end of Mohave would take place. By taking them into "deep water" off shore, the small suckers have a better chance of survival. There is a resurgance of rooted vegetation mid lake and my guess is that they will dump the little critters in and around these weed beds. Many will become dinner, but many will survive. I would also surmise that these will be larger fish, 6-8 inches long to also increase the survival rate. Smaller 2-4 inch fingerlings would just ring the dinner bell.
So, the more suckers that survive, the more little suckers they will produce, which will placate those who worship at the alter of endangered species. But it will also provide a larger number of tasty little suckers for the toothy critters, WB, crappie, bass, and whisker fish. So there is an upside to all of this.
My only problem is that it is costing us $50,000,000.00 to do this.
As to the stocking of June Suckers in Ut. Lake. The reason that they are using the barge is to prevent what you are applauding, the dining on the suckers by the rest of the predators in the lake. If they were to dump them in the river, in the harbor, etc, the scene as described at the upper end of Mohave would take place. By taking them into "deep water" off shore, the small suckers have a better chance of survival. There is a resurgance of rooted vegetation mid lake and my guess is that they will dump the little critters in and around these weed beds. Many will become dinner, but many will survive. I would also surmise that these will be larger fish, 6-8 inches long to also increase the survival rate. Smaller 2-4 inch fingerlings would just ring the dinner bell.
So, the more suckers that survive, the more little suckers they will produce, which will placate those who worship at the alter of endangered species. But it will also provide a larger number of tasty little suckers for the toothy critters, WB, crappie, bass, and whisker fish. So there is an upside to all of this.
My only problem is that it is costing us $50,000,000.00 to do this.