The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is again raising catch limits to prevent extinction

Anglers can now take home the double trout at five bodies of water to avoid wasting fish.

(Briana Scroggins | Special to The Tribune) Hunter Elster from Salt Lake City flies into Pineview Reservoir on Wednesday June 9, 2021. “Last year the water was up to the tree line,” said Elster, pointing to the trees behind him. Pineview Reservoir is significantly lower than it was this time last year.

| July 2, 2021, 2:03 am

Wildlife officials have increased catch restrictions in Utah fisheries in anticipation of low water levels due to severe drought conditions, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said Thursday.

Utah anglers can now catch two more trout in all 57 community ponds in the state. Previously the limit was two fish of each species. Now fishermen are allowed to keep four fish a day, as long as two of them are trout. The regulation applies until the end of August.

On May 27, DWR announced that it would lift restrictions on 10 Utah fisheries due to poor snow cover and dry land. Thursday’s announcement includes increased limits for five new water bodies that will remain in effect through October 31:

• Lower Bowns Reservoir (Garfield County): The new limit is eight trout per day.

• Middle Kents Lake, Beaver County: The new limit is eight trout per day.

• Minersville Reservoir, Beaver County: Lure restrictions and trout size restrictions are lifted.

• Puffer Lake (Beaver County): The new limit is eight trout per day.

• Vernon Reservoir (Tooele County): The new limit is eight trout per day.

Officials said lower water levels cause temperatures in lakes, reservoirs and streams to rise, resulting in less oxygen available than what fish experience in colder water. This can lead to stress in fish, which, according to a press release, can lead to poor growth, disease, and even death.

“We anticipate temperatures in these ponds this summer will exceed the maximum temperature tolerated by trout,” said Randy Oplinger, DWR Sportfish coordinator, in a statement. “The intent of this regulatory change is to allow anglers to catch and use additional fish before potential fish losses occur.”

The reason given for the change in limit values ​​announced in May was the reduction in fish deaths due to rising temperatures. Oplinger said the Minersville Reservoir Conservation Pool was at risk of “total loss of fish” and said easing restrictions on “crop-oriented” anglers could help the fishery “recover faster when drought conditions abate”.

DWR expects fishing to remain excellent elsewhere and has identified 25 bodies of water, including Flaming Gorge, Hyrum Lake and Kolob Reservoir, as good targets this year.

A list of all 57 community ponds can be found on the department’s website.