06-29-2013, 12:40 AM
I replied to myself as my comments and opinions are just that my opinions.
Obviously there is no way to please everyones' fisheries wants even on this forum. There will always be differences of opinions and priorities. Throughout the state there are many different fishing needs for all kinds of people.
As the restoration of the trout in the stream projects continue, I think we will see more native trout stocking and the establishment of healthy reproducing fish. It takes time and LOTS of money. You can't correct abuses to the system overnight. You have to focus on the priority projects first.
Stocking of rainbows has stopped on some areas in the Bear River drainage, because they now have native Bonneville Cutts that are getting established. They are reestablishing the Bonnevilles that are from that close local area in spawning streams to replace the rainbow fishery in the river.
The non-native rainbows, brooke trout, and browns of the Henry's Fork have also benefited from several projects, such as the reconnection of the Buffalo River, and the negotiation of winter water levels in the Box Canyon. Silver Cr browns etc have also benefited from stream projects. It isn't all about just the native fish. It is very much about fixing our resource to work in a more natural manner. That is a hard thing to do and still honor the agricultural and power rights to the water.
Some of the on going projects illustrate how much is going on. There are cooperative groups of farmers, sportsmen, govenment, large companies like Pacificore and many others that are spending millions of dollars to fix our spawning streams. They are fixing culverts, screening irrigation, putting fish ladders on diversions, and dams, negotiating water rights, conservation easements, fencing, and even working to get water releases from the dams regulated for the fish. They are working very hard to restore things, but frequently I hear complaining that all F&G cares about are the trout. Yet many of you want the natural spawning which is exactly what they are working and focusing on. Without repairing the trout streams first to allow for spawning they can't just stop stocking [crazy]
Sure F&G doesn't stock the warm water fish yearly, but that doesn't mean they don't care about keeping healthy populations of them. Once stocked hopefully they will be able to reproduce and spawn naturally. Studies are done yearly to assess the year's spawn in many of our large impoundments. F&G has little control over the reservoirs and lack water in many of our lakes. They struggle to keep fishing opportunities for a variety of species in our waters. Projects for our warm water fish are also going on such as the ones on Cascade Lake to restore the perch fishery there.
Without at least initial stocking there would be no fishing in most of our water impoundments and high mountain lakes. I hope that there will always be stocking.
Many people like to fish in our lakes that have no spawning areas. Some of those lakes are also too cold etc for warm water species. Should we just leave those waters fishless?
Most of our high mountain lakes have been surveyed and those that have established reproducing populations are no longer stocked, but that isn't all of the lakes. So they supplement the ones that are weak, and fully stock the ones where the fish can't spawn. I love hiking into a lake and finding nice healthy fish. It is really a bummer to hit the ones that have winter killed or are almost fishless because they missed being stocked.
What about the ponds that provide a little fishing for kids and old people. Without stocking they would be fishless in two weeks. Sure maybe that is "welfare stocking" but that is the only chance to fish for many people. Should they be denied that opportunity, because it isn't something that you or I need?
I could go on, but what I would say is find out what is going on in your region and help out if you can. I think that the more you find out, the more you will begin to understand the projects and problems. Certainly express your concerns, and in some areas maybe an occasional recognition wouldn't hurt either. But remember that whether it is trout, bass, catfish, crappie or whatever that you like, there are thousands of people out there that have different wants and needs too. Don't get tunnel vision. There has to be moderation in most of our fisheries.
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Obviously there is no way to please everyones' fisheries wants even on this forum. There will always be differences of opinions and priorities. Throughout the state there are many different fishing needs for all kinds of people.
As the restoration of the trout in the stream projects continue, I think we will see more native trout stocking and the establishment of healthy reproducing fish. It takes time and LOTS of money. You can't correct abuses to the system overnight. You have to focus on the priority projects first.
Stocking of rainbows has stopped on some areas in the Bear River drainage, because they now have native Bonneville Cutts that are getting established. They are reestablishing the Bonnevilles that are from that close local area in spawning streams to replace the rainbow fishery in the river.
The non-native rainbows, brooke trout, and browns of the Henry's Fork have also benefited from several projects, such as the reconnection of the Buffalo River, and the negotiation of winter water levels in the Box Canyon. Silver Cr browns etc have also benefited from stream projects. It isn't all about just the native fish. It is very much about fixing our resource to work in a more natural manner. That is a hard thing to do and still honor the agricultural and power rights to the water.
Some of the on going projects illustrate how much is going on. There are cooperative groups of farmers, sportsmen, govenment, large companies like Pacificore and many others that are spending millions of dollars to fix our spawning streams. They are fixing culverts, screening irrigation, putting fish ladders on diversions, and dams, negotiating water rights, conservation easements, fencing, and even working to get water releases from the dams regulated for the fish. They are working very hard to restore things, but frequently I hear complaining that all F&G cares about are the trout. Yet many of you want the natural spawning which is exactly what they are working and focusing on. Without repairing the trout streams first to allow for spawning they can't just stop stocking [crazy]
Sure F&G doesn't stock the warm water fish yearly, but that doesn't mean they don't care about keeping healthy populations of them. Once stocked hopefully they will be able to reproduce and spawn naturally. Studies are done yearly to assess the year's spawn in many of our large impoundments. F&G has little control over the reservoirs and lack water in many of our lakes. They struggle to keep fishing opportunities for a variety of species in our waters. Projects for our warm water fish are also going on such as the ones on Cascade Lake to restore the perch fishery there.
Without at least initial stocking there would be no fishing in most of our water impoundments and high mountain lakes. I hope that there will always be stocking.
Many people like to fish in our lakes that have no spawning areas. Some of those lakes are also too cold etc for warm water species. Should we just leave those waters fishless?
Most of our high mountain lakes have been surveyed and those that have established reproducing populations are no longer stocked, but that isn't all of the lakes. So they supplement the ones that are weak, and fully stock the ones where the fish can't spawn. I love hiking into a lake and finding nice healthy fish. It is really a bummer to hit the ones that have winter killed or are almost fishless because they missed being stocked.
What about the ponds that provide a little fishing for kids and old people. Without stocking they would be fishless in two weeks. Sure maybe that is "welfare stocking" but that is the only chance to fish for many people. Should they be denied that opportunity, because it isn't something that you or I need?
I could go on, but what I would say is find out what is going on in your region and help out if you can. I think that the more you find out, the more you will begin to understand the projects and problems. Certainly express your concerns, and in some areas maybe an occasional recognition wouldn't hurt either. But remember that whether it is trout, bass, catfish, crappie or whatever that you like, there are thousands of people out there that have different wants and needs too. Don't get tunnel vision. There has to be moderation in most of our fisheries.
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