01-03-2007, 02:53 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I only wished that the large quantities of white bass (and overlimits of walleyes) that leave Utah Lake all end up serving the aged and poor people. Some of them might have such a nice ending. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]However, there is hard evidence that there are several hardcore market fishing groups operating around Utah Lake, year round. This has been going on for several decades. The only difference these days is that lookouts are posted and they have binoculars and cell phones to warn the harvesters that DWR officers are on the way, in case someone has too many oversized walleyes. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have personally witnessed aggressive snagging practices, with ALL fish being put on a long stringer. Then, when they get a call from the lookout, two of the group grabs the stringer and disappears into the brush. Sometimes they take the fish to a hidden vehicle. Other times they just wait until it is safe and come out to resume "fishing".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Unfortunately DWR officers all cover large areas and cannot always respond to citizen calls for poaching or game violations. And, by the time they get down to some of the areas around Utah Lake, the happy harvesters are long gone.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Another factor is the DWR does not aggressively manage the sport fishing on Utah Lake. They really do not care if the predators (walleye, white bass or catfish) are suffering from poor food or overfishing. Their only concern for Utah Lake is the June sucker. All the other fish are "THE ENEMY", so they don't sacrifice management of trout waters to closely regulate Utah Lake.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It is important that we not characterize the poachers or violators as being confined to any single group. There are violators of all origins and backgrounds on Utah Lake. Because Asian anglers are generally a cohesive group, and many are very good anglers...and successful...it is common to accuse them of overharvesting. As a group, they are probably more inclined to keep all of their fish, because they rely on them for a large part of their diets. But, that does not mean they are all violators.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As we have advised many times on BFT, be on the alert for any potential violations and report them by cell phone. If you do not have a cell phone, take pictures or write down license numbers. This is especially important if you see someone taking home large numbers of any species...protected or not. DWR knows that there is market fishing going on, but because of the skillful evasion tactics of those who sell fish, it is hard to prove anything. They need our help.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]And...by the way...you were ALSO a violator when you gave away those fish. The proclamation reads that you cannot give away your catch on the waters where you caught them. To comply with the law you can only transfer possession of game fish at a residence or a food locker. You must also properly write out the details of the transfer...Name, date, species, quantity, etc.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]However, there is hard evidence that there are several hardcore market fishing groups operating around Utah Lake, year round. This has been going on for several decades. The only difference these days is that lookouts are posted and they have binoculars and cell phones to warn the harvesters that DWR officers are on the way, in case someone has too many oversized walleyes. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have personally witnessed aggressive snagging practices, with ALL fish being put on a long stringer. Then, when they get a call from the lookout, two of the group grabs the stringer and disappears into the brush. Sometimes they take the fish to a hidden vehicle. Other times they just wait until it is safe and come out to resume "fishing".[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Unfortunately DWR officers all cover large areas and cannot always respond to citizen calls for poaching or game violations. And, by the time they get down to some of the areas around Utah Lake, the happy harvesters are long gone.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Another factor is the DWR does not aggressively manage the sport fishing on Utah Lake. They really do not care if the predators (walleye, white bass or catfish) are suffering from poor food or overfishing. Their only concern for Utah Lake is the June sucker. All the other fish are "THE ENEMY", so they don't sacrifice management of trout waters to closely regulate Utah Lake.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It is important that we not characterize the poachers or violators as being confined to any single group. There are violators of all origins and backgrounds on Utah Lake. Because Asian anglers are generally a cohesive group, and many are very good anglers...and successful...it is common to accuse them of overharvesting. As a group, they are probably more inclined to keep all of their fish, because they rely on them for a large part of their diets. But, that does not mean they are all violators.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As we have advised many times on BFT, be on the alert for any potential violations and report them by cell phone. If you do not have a cell phone, take pictures or write down license numbers. This is especially important if you see someone taking home large numbers of any species...protected or not. DWR knows that there is market fishing going on, but because of the skillful evasion tactics of those who sell fish, it is hard to prove anything. They need our help.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]And...by the way...you were ALSO a violator when you gave away those fish. The proclamation reads that you cannot give away your catch on the waters where you caught them. To comply with the law you can only transfer possession of game fish at a residence or a food locker. You must also properly write out the details of the transfer...Name, date, species, quantity, etc.[/#0000ff]
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