SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has issued several emergency changes to Utah fishing regulations in anticipation of low water levels due to drought conditions.
“Drought affects fish by reducing the amount of water in lakes, reservoirs and streams across the state. Smaller amounts of water heat up faster and warm to higher temperatures, which is problematic for fish species because warm water contains less oxygen than colder water . ” “, Explains a press release from DWR. “The combination of high temperatures and low oxygen levels can stress fish, cause poor growth and disease, and sometimes be fatal to fish.”
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To reduce fish dieback, DWR has increased the number of fish that can be harvested in these 10 local bodies of water:
- Blacksmith Fork River, Cache County: Daily limit increased to eight trout from Nibley Diversion downstream to the confluence with the Logan River
- Forsyth Reservoir, Sevier County: Daily limit increased to eight trout
- Gunlock Reservoir, Washington County: Increased the daily limit to 12 Largemouth Bass with no size restrictions and lifted the limit for Bluegill and Black Crappie
- Koosharem Reservoir, Sevier County: Daily limit increased to eight trout
- Lower Enterprise Reservoir, Washington County: Daily limit increased to eight trout and 12 perch
- Otter Creek Reservoir, Piute County: Daily limit increased to eight trout, six wipers, and 12 smallmouth bass
- Tropic Reservoir, Garfield County: Daily limit increased to eight trout
- Upper Enterprise Reservoir, Washington County: Daily limit increased to eight trout and 12 perch
- Wide Hollow Reservoir, Garfield County: Daily limit increased to eight trout
- Yuba Reservoir, Juab and Sanpete Counties: Daily limit increased to a total of 20 fish from the following species: pikeperch, wiper, trout (any species), tiger muskie, pike and channel catfish. There are no size restrictions for any of the species.
The changes take effect immediately and are valid until October 31st.
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DWR will again reduce the number of fish that can be stocked in each of the affected waters this year.
“If we reduce the fish population in a lake, we will relocate these fish to a different body of water where we do not expect low water levels,” said Randy Oplinger, coordinator of DWR Sportfish, in the press release. “Despite the low water levels in some lakes, there is very good fishing in many places this summer. The number of waters in which we expect drought impacts are very small and we expect the majority of the waters, including the state’s large fisheries, will not be affected. “
All other rules in the Utah Fishing Guidebook regarding Utah waters and fish restrictions apply as described.
“Although it is anticipated that these reservoirs will have lower water levels due to drought, here is a list of additional waters where fishing is not expected to have an impact and should still be good this summer. Visit the DWR website for more Information for anglers should be considered when fishing this year, “says the press release.
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