HYRUM – Summer is winding down and cooler temperatures are on the horizon, anglers may be gearing up for fall fishing in Utah. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is requesting sportsmen fishing the Blacksmith Fork River to harvest brown trout instead of releasing them back into the river.
Brown trout are negatively affecting the other fish in the river. The average length of brown trout currently found in the Blacksmith Fork River is around 11 inches, but they are becoming more abundant, meaning their growth will begin to be stunted as food sources decreases.
“Historically, anglers used to harvest more fish, which would help keep fish numbers lower and ensure that the food supply for the fish at any given waterbody was shared with a smaller number of individual fish,” DWR Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick said. “But now more anglers prefer to participate in catch-and-release fishing, which leaves more fish in the system and increases competition for limited resources. Each lake or reservoir has a maximum number of fish it can sustain. When the waterbody exceeds that, you’ll eventually see an overabundance of skinny, smaller fish.”
When certain fish species become too numerous in a waterbody, they can reduce the overall food supply for all the fish and can also impact other species (like if the fish are piscivorous and prey on other fish). When this happens, it can cause the fish in the waterbody to grow slower and remain smaller.
“We really need people to harvest more brown trout in the Blacksmith Fork River, but few anglers actually do so, despite the four fish bonus limit,” Hedrick said
When certain fish species become too numerous in a waterbody, they can reduce the overall food supply for all the fish and can also impact other species (like if the fish are piscivorous and prey on other fish). When this happens, it can cause the fish in the waterbody to grow slower and remain smaller.
There are other waterbodies in Utah where the same thing is happening, so the DWR is asking anglers to harvest specific fish species that they catch in the following areas:
Small lake trout at Flaming Gorge Reservoir
The DWR is requesting that anglers catch and keep small lake trout under 25 inches at Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Currently, the popular reservoir is known for producing some of the largest lake trout in the U.S. There are currently too many small lake trout in the reservoir. Lake trout larger than 25 inches primarily consume kokanee salmon and rainbow trout. If the abundant population of smaller lake trout (under 25 inches) is not reduced, there could be impacts on the salmon and rainbow trout populations, as well as fewer fish to feed the trophy lake trout.
Fall is an excellent time to fish for lake trout. Anglers should target them in deep areas (50-100 feet) along main channel points and walls. For anyone trolling, lures like a dodger and squid have been proven to work, as well as spoons and crankbaits about 3 inches in size.
“We are requesting that all anglers harvest a limit if they can because lake trout are delicious and great to eat, and the angler would also be helping out the fishery at the same time,” Hedrick said.
Walleye at Starvation Reservoir
This the best time of year to fish for walleye at Starvation Reservoir. Flicker shad and bottom bouncers are the best lures to target walleye. You will find the fish at depths of around 15-20 feet.
Bluegill at Pelican Lake
Worms or small-sized jigs with plastic baits can be very effective for catching bluegill. You will find these fish along the open shorelines or in front of the weed lines of the lake. Bluegill tend to move from the shore to deeper water as the day gets warmer.
Visit the DWR website to learn about some of the ongoing efforts to improve the fishery at Pelican Lake.