08-12-2024, 08:35 PM
I went up to Manning over the weekend for a couple hours and had a lot of fun, caught a lot of fish, and did a lot of thinking about thie new proposal for Manning and Barney Reservoirs. And, the more I thought, the more I didn't like it. Here's why:
1) The flies and lures regulation has been place for around 30 years and Manning has been a brood stock lake for that same time frame. The current management plan has not only worked to help the state stock loads of bonneville cutts but also provide a nice fishery right off the road. Why fix what ain't broke?
2) With the amount of traffic the road by Manning sees--ATV's, side-by-sides, motorcycles, and trucks--I can't believe that the amount of shore fishing will lead many of those same people to drive up to the shoreline across grassy shorelines, prop up a rod with bait, and then leave after discarding their worm containers, powerbait bottles, leaders, hooks and sinkers on the shoreline. One thing I have always appreciated about Manning is the lack of garbage around the reservoir. But, just down the road at the Box Creek Reservoirs or even a little further down to the Monroe City pond and you will find a different story. I realize that not every bait fisherman is going to do this but the increased shoreline use will lead to it...
3) The close proximity to the Box Creek Reservoirs is particularly concerning...both of these reservoirs have had a history of all kinds of rough fish including shiners and goldfish. I have a hard time not believing that lifting the bait fishing regulations at Manning will lead to someone moving shiners to Manning after using them for bait jeopardizing the entire fishery. To me, it would only be a matter of time. Shouldn't the brood stock program be of highest priority and every management option be used to protect that program?
4) If the DWR would like to increase the limit at Manning and/or lift bait restrictions at Barney as a compromise, I would feel good about it. But, I believe lifting the bait restrictions at Manning is potential for disaster.
1) The flies and lures regulation has been place for around 30 years and Manning has been a brood stock lake for that same time frame. The current management plan has not only worked to help the state stock loads of bonneville cutts but also provide a nice fishery right off the road. Why fix what ain't broke?
2) With the amount of traffic the road by Manning sees--ATV's, side-by-sides, motorcycles, and trucks--I can't believe that the amount of shore fishing will lead many of those same people to drive up to the shoreline across grassy shorelines, prop up a rod with bait, and then leave after discarding their worm containers, powerbait bottles, leaders, hooks and sinkers on the shoreline. One thing I have always appreciated about Manning is the lack of garbage around the reservoir. But, just down the road at the Box Creek Reservoirs or even a little further down to the Monroe City pond and you will find a different story. I realize that not every bait fisherman is going to do this but the increased shoreline use will lead to it...
3) The close proximity to the Box Creek Reservoirs is particularly concerning...both of these reservoirs have had a history of all kinds of rough fish including shiners and goldfish. I have a hard time not believing that lifting the bait fishing regulations at Manning will lead to someone moving shiners to Manning after using them for bait jeopardizing the entire fishery. To me, it would only be a matter of time. Shouldn't the brood stock program be of highest priority and every management option be used to protect that program?
4) If the DWR would like to increase the limit at Manning and/or lift bait restrictions at Barney as a compromise, I would feel good about it. But, I believe lifting the bait restrictions at Manning is potential for disaster.