07-29-2014, 07:41 PM
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Here is a summary article of enforcement efforts that occurred at Lake Lowell this spring and early summer. We view this as a major step forward, but also as a program that will require additional efforts. It is safe to say that Lake Lowell was patrolled more this spring by IDFG, USFWS, and county officers than it has been in a long time, possibly ever. We know that we will never eliminate illegal harvest, but we need to reach acceptable levels of compliance through additional and sustained enforcement and education efforts. If anybody would like to discuss, we can be reached at the Nampa Regional office, 465-8465. Lastly, please put the CAP hotline number in your phone or look for it on the back of your IDFG licenses. We are still have many anglers neglecting to quickly and accurately report incidents.
Bass Rules, Bad Behavior and Lake Lowell
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By Evin Oneale, Regional Conservation Educator, Southwest Region
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Ask any bass fisherman in the know and they will tell you – largemouth bass fishing has never been better at Lake Lowell. Larger bass are numerous, and both bank and boat anglers are regularly catching four- and five-pound fish. Smaller, two- and three-pound fish are even more plentiful.
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But all is not rosy at Lake Lowell. Rules that have helped produce the reservoir’s robust fishery are being ignored by too many anglers. In response, Fish and Game staff have stepped up efforts to minimize this behavior.
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Unlike most water bodies in Idaho where general six bass limits apply, Lake Lowell’s bass population is managed under special rules. While bass fishing is allowed year-round, a catch and release provision is in place from January 1 through June 30. The second half of the year, a “slot limit” allows for a daily harvest of two bass, but none between 12 and 16 inches. The slot limit rule allows the reservoir’s slow-growing bass to reach maturity and reproduce, and so perpetuate Lake Lowell’s bass population into the future.
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
In 2013, Lake Lowell’s bass fishing was nearly as good as it is this year, and too many anglers either didn’t know the rules or simply chose not to abide by them. Fish and Game officers stayed busy contacting and educating anglers about the special rules. Both warnings and citations were issued to offenders.
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
Anticipating a robust bass fishery in 2014, Fish and Game ramped up enforcement efforts beginning April 15th, in cooperation with the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It’s safe to say that Lake Lowell received more enforcement attention this spring than ever before. The high visibility enforcement effort resulted in more than 500 anglers being contacted, both on shore and on the water. Responsible anglers helped in the effort, by calling the Citizens Against Poaching hotline when they suspected illegal bass harvest. Officers were diligent in their efforts to balance education with enforcement; tickets were written as were warnings in some cases.
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During the effort, many illegal, but live, fish were documented and returned to Lake Lowell. In other cases, illegal dead fish were discovered and confiscated. Officers engaged in one of several early June boat patrols discovered ten bass in two live wells. Remember that catch-and-release rules require that fish be released immediately upon being landed.
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From April 15th through June 30th, 63 bass fishing violations were detected at Lake Lowell, ranging from fishing without a license to possession of illegal bass. Forty-one of those violations led to citations; warnings were written for the remainder. Sadly, most of the anglers found in violation were fully aware of the rules.
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Things didn’t improve much after July 1, when the harvest and slot limit rules came to bear. Multiple violations of the slot limit were detected, clear evidence that additional education efforts are needed. To help in this effort, a new business card-sized rule card has been produced and is being distributed by enforcement and other personnel to every Lake Lowell angler contacted.
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As with most enforcement efforts, responsible anglers remain a good line of defense. If you witness a suspected violation, get the details – a boat registration number or a license plate number – then call the Citizens Against Poaching hotline, 1-800-632-5999.
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[signature]
Here is a summary article of enforcement efforts that occurred at Lake Lowell this spring and early summer. We view this as a major step forward, but also as a program that will require additional efforts. It is safe to say that Lake Lowell was patrolled more this spring by IDFG, USFWS, and county officers than it has been in a long time, possibly ever. We know that we will never eliminate illegal harvest, but we need to reach acceptable levels of compliance through additional and sustained enforcement and education efforts. If anybody would like to discuss, we can be reached at the Nampa Regional office, 465-8465. Lastly, please put the CAP hotline number in your phone or look for it on the back of your IDFG licenses. We are still have many anglers neglecting to quickly and accurately report incidents.
Bass Rules, Bad Behavior and Lake Lowell
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
By Evin Oneale, Regional Conservation Educator, Southwest Region
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
Ask any bass fisherman in the know and they will tell you – largemouth bass fishing has never been better at Lake Lowell. Larger bass are numerous, and both bank and boat anglers are regularly catching four- and five-pound fish. Smaller, two- and three-pound fish are even more plentiful.
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
But all is not rosy at Lake Lowell. Rules that have helped produce the reservoir’s robust fishery are being ignored by too many anglers. In response, Fish and Game staff have stepped up efforts to minimize this behavior.
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
Unlike most water bodies in Idaho where general six bass limits apply, Lake Lowell’s bass population is managed under special rules. While bass fishing is allowed year-round, a catch and release provision is in place from January 1 through June 30. The second half of the year, a “slot limit” allows for a daily harvest of two bass, but none between 12 and 16 inches. The slot limit rule allows the reservoir’s slow-growing bass to reach maturity and reproduce, and so perpetuate Lake Lowell’s bass population into the future.
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
In 2013, Lake Lowell’s bass fishing was nearly as good as it is this year, and too many anglers either didn’t know the rules or simply chose not to abide by them. Fish and Game officers stayed busy contacting and educating anglers about the special rules. Both warnings and citations were issued to offenders.
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
Anticipating a robust bass fishery in 2014, Fish and Game ramped up enforcement efforts beginning April 15th, in cooperation with the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It’s safe to say that Lake Lowell received more enforcement attention this spring than ever before. The high visibility enforcement effort resulted in more than 500 anglers being contacted, both on shore and on the water. Responsible anglers helped in the effort, by calling the Citizens Against Poaching hotline when they suspected illegal bass harvest. Officers were diligent in their efforts to balance education with enforcement; tickets were written as were warnings in some cases.
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
During the effort, many illegal, but live, fish were documented and returned to Lake Lowell. In other cases, illegal dead fish were discovered and confiscated. Officers engaged in one of several early June boat patrols discovered ten bass in two live wells. Remember that catch-and-release rules require that fish be released immediately upon being landed.
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
From April 15th through June 30th, 63 bass fishing violations were detected at Lake Lowell, ranging from fishing without a license to possession of illegal bass. Forty-one of those violations led to citations; warnings were written for the remainder. Sadly, most of the anglers found in violation were fully aware of the rules.
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
Things didn’t improve much after July 1, when the harvest and slot limit rules came to bear. Multiple violations of the slot limit were detected, clear evidence that additional education efforts are needed. To help in this effort, a new business card-sized rule card has been produced and is being distributed by enforcement and other personnel to every Lake Lowell angler contacted.
[font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
As with most enforcement efforts, responsible anglers remain a good line of defense. If you witness a suspected violation, get the details – a boat registration number or a license plate number – then call the Citizens Against Poaching hotline, 1-800-632-5999.
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