Lol…both were mistaken!
Sometimes I like to do a followup to a post, share the “aftermath”. To me - it’s a way to show respect for them little fishes! To honor, respect, and devour. 
Lavaman tells me he’s NEVER tried Bluegill or Perch, and that just ain’t right for someone who’s fished as long and hard as this guy. Just rewards for lunch.
First - dried, laid flat - boneless fillets. Sprinkled with some seasoning (lemon pepper, garlic, cajun spice, salt). Tried to keep a light hand on the sprinkler.
Coat with Flour, then dredge in egg, then roll in Panko bread crumbs. Next it’s off to a 350 oven, few minutes, a flip, and a few more. Aiming for a golden brown, crispness.
Mix up some ‘secret sauce’ - well it WAS secret! Pour some ranch in half the dipper, and a mix of ketchup/horseradish/hotsauce. Plate and serve.
Is it lunchtime yet?
[inline MI.Plated.Perch.Bluegill.FilletFingers.jpg]
'Yote, you rock! 
That’s got me droooooling!
Not all night … just till u have a limit of giants [;)] I can’t wait bryce.!!! Lets hope we findem thick this yr!
they did plant splake a while back aswell as lakers and tiger trout, so there are a few splake in there maybe if they all werent caught yet.
Very nice, that looks fabulous Mr. Yote.
It sad to see all these trout coming out when it’s usually not good fishing up here. I know we all go to catch the fish and keep them. But I think we should be a little cautious when keeping the trout from Mantua, because I think we should let the population grow before we just start jerking them out..
What is the limit this year?
It sad to see all these trout coming out when it’s usually not good fishing up here. I know we all go to catch the fish and keep them. But I think we should be a little cautious when keeping the trout from Mantua, because I think we should let the population grow before we just start jerking them out..
What is the limit this year?
I kinda think they are making that a put and take pond anyway. The perch and bluegill (although bucket planted) seem to hold their own. The Bass, not sure how they are fairing, but there is some healthy trout planting for 2011
MANTUA RES BOX ELDER RAINBOW 6150 10.68" 04/11/2011
MANTUA RES BOX ELDER CUTTHROAT 20 22.56" 05/04/2011
MANTUA RES BOX ELDER CUTTHROAT 363 18.14" 05/04/2011
MANTUA RES BOX ELDER RAINBOW 7800 10.77" 09/13/2011
MANTUA RES BOX ELDER RAINBOW 7300 10.77" 09/14/2011
Speaking of planting, anyone notice this recent stock???
**MANTUA RES BOX ELDER TROUT TIGER 20031 4.8" 11/01/2011
**
I see this becoming an even more popular pond. won’t be anyroom for those skiers and wave runners…LOL
It sad to see all these trout coming out when it’s usually not good fishing up here. I know we all go to catch the fish and keep them. But I think we should be a little cautious when keeping the trout from Mantua, because I think we should let the population grow before we just start jerking them out..
What is the limit this year?
It’s funny that you say that, cuz I seen time again that ice-fishers up there DON’T keep trout. I often hear a call “anyone want a trout”. I know numbers of ice fishers that may target the panfish for the pan, but the trout are just fun to play with, then chuck back down the hole.
Not sure what you’re basing the “not good fishing” on, unless you’ve been listening to Lavaman! The bluegill and bass kept many anglers busy all spring/summer. The trout are very frisky and put up a good fight, when you find them, or they find you.
The limit is standard for Utah - 4 trout per person. Just fired up the smoker last night and ran a batch of fillets. Ahh - the aroma, I tells you!
But as FG points out - it’s a sterile planter filled pond, at least as far as the trout are concerned. The bass, bluegill, and perch are pretty much on their own. But even with all the pressure - they seem to do pretty well. The Utah record Bluegill came from that weedy mud-puddle.
Tigers? Really?! Widdle ones, but that’s interesting. Wonder how they’ll do. That could be interesting. What’s next, TigerMusky!!!
I definitely think they need to plant 20 or so Tiger Muskie in that pond. Would make things interesting.
And when I say “Mantua is not good fishing”, the old-timers in here will agree with me that compared to many moons ago, Mantua is just not what it once was. If you fished it say…15 or 20 yrs ago, you would understand what I’m talking about.
It still has its’ moments though.
It sad to see all these trout coming out when it’s usually not good fishing up here. I know we all go to catch the fish and keep them. But I think we should be a little cautious when keeping the trout from Mantua, because I think we should let the population grow before we just start jerking them out..
What is the limit this year?
LOL I can only help but roll my eyes at that comment. Yearly limits? Ba ha ha ha!
And when I say “Mantua is not good fishing”, the old-timers in here will agree with me that compared to many moons ago, Mantua is just not what it once was. If you fished it say…15 or 20 yrs ago, you would understand what I’m talking about.
Waitaminnit. Until perch were discovered in Mantua about 5 or 6 years ago it was an artificial lures and no bait lake. You could catch a few fish on unbaited jigs and flies but it was tough. Nothing like it is now with the unrestricted use of all the standard “sweeteners”.
So it was “better” fishing when it was “harder” fishing - due to restrictions? Were the bluegills stunted back then?
So - how did perch “appear” in the lake? Did they come up from the underground springs?
I’d be curious on folks thoughts - what result has the limit change on foot-long bass done? Used to be you could only keep one over 12inches, but that restriction was lifted from a few lakes this year. Are the bass doing better, or are the pops hurting?
Splake and Lakers? How long ago was that? 5" inch tigers - given a couple years - that could be entertaining! Next thing - someones gonna tell me there’s Golden Trout in there!
rcturbos - you do NOT want to look at THIS picture. Seriously - shield your eyes. This was Saturday’s ice-pile. My boy “helped” take care of the troutsicles. Told me he was ‘dissecting them’ to ‘find their brains’. I told him ‘good luck with that’
{stupid finless freddies! they might fight, but they ain’t so bright!} There were twice as many more that came to visit, then went back down the other hole.
I think the Splake and Laker comment was back at the Willow Pond on the first page.
I fished Mantua back when it was artificial lures and flies (go figure huh) Bass were BIG and fat but still see that on occassion. I did catch 25" to 26" bows , but I had to be in the right spot. That is where I was turned onto Chironomiding and YES you can get a fish every cast doing that.
I was surprised to hear they had made it BAIT fishery.
As for the Perch, I am betting back yard biologist that thought that is just what this lake needs instead of being happy with what it offers. This really ticks me off, but I digress.
I can’t compare old days to new as I have not been back since the change, but it sounds productive.
As far as being fished out, well, we have to remember, we are in Utah and LEGALLY, this means if you have a legal limit (even if from another water) at home in your fridge or freezer, you are C&R till you consume you BAG.
Sadly I am sure this law is a catch me if you can, which will eventually hurt everyone, but there it is.
Respect the waters and you will have them a long time.
Well said, FG.
I remember before it was a bait fishery as well. I would catch twice as many as I do now, and the fish were significantly overall ‘bigger’. And without bait. Go figure.
So it was “better” fishing when it was “harder” fishing - due to restrictions? Were the bluegills stunted back then?
So - how did perch “appear” in the lake? Did they come up from the underground springs?
There were no tent cities on Mantua a few years ago. People were not serious about finesse fishing with artificials to score a few bluegills. The bluegills were GOOD size…because all the big ones didn’t leave the lake during a heavy onslaught.
In order to catch the bluegills you had to use tiny finesse plastics or small ice flies. And you had to hold the rod and pay very close attention. One quick tick and it was all over. No waxworm to keep them holding it in their mouth until you could set the hook. A good day on the ice might be a half dozen hefty bluegills…and maybe a trout or two. They were not planting the large numbers of trout then that they do now.
Then out of nowhere a few perch began showing up. “NOBODY” has any idea where they came from. But it freaked out DWR. They wanted them out of there. Yeah, right. So they reluctantly changed the regulations to allow the use of bait, so that people would fish for perch and hopefully keep them in check.
Angler harvest can have an impact on average sizes of fish…but it is almost impossible to completely fish out ANY lake…for ANY species. When it comes to bass, Mantua could stand a much greater harvest…of smaller fish. They are the most aggressive eaters. The larger they get the slower they grow…and the less they eat in proportion. Not only that but the bigger they get the less likely they will EVER be caught and removed. Their feeding habits change and their caution improves to the point that it is rare for them to get hooked. And if they do get hooked they usually dive into the weeds and it is impossible to haul them out on the light tackle most Mantuans use.
Isn’t removing the heads or tails in the field or transit illegal???
Only for fish…and waters…where special regulations are in place…like slot limits.
ahh…just checkin, wouldn’t want to see anyone caught ya know
It’s always a good idea to know what is in the annual Fishing Guide (proclamation)…especially before challenging someone about their legality.