08-21-2008, 10:09 PM
Fishley and Tarpon Jim, hopefully I can provide some of the answers.
Tiger trout were planted into the Gorge as a result of a decision made collectively by UDWR and WYG&F. I'm sure you already know that WYG&F has stocked brown trout over the years, to provide anglers with a fishing opportunity that used to be really successful. Tigers fill that same void, but possibly with a other benefits.
Benefit #1- Burbot are increasing rapidly in the Gorge. I know you're a great angler Ashley, but the burbot catch rates going up last winter also had something to do with the expanding population! LOL Burbot fry hatch in the spring and have been seen in huge numbers along the shore throught the upper lake in early to mid-May. Unfortunately, smallmouth bass, the major shoreline predator in the lake, aren't as active during that time period (depending on the year and water temp).
Quite a few anglers have already responded on the habits of tiger trout. They are very aggressive shoreline predators. The goal is for tiger trout to utilize burbot fry during the spring, and possibly juveniles during the remainder of the year, which also remain relatively shallow compared to adult burbot.
Benefit #2- If they're successful, tiger trout will offer anglers fishing the shoreline for smallmouth bass or rainbow trout, another exciting opportunity. They fight hard and they're beautiful fish!
Concerns- Some forum members, questioned the sense of establishing adding predator. That's a great observation. Once again, browns are already stocked in the northern portion of the reservoir, when fish are available. Tigers may continue to be stocked in the reservoir, when fish are available. Tiger trout have similar feeding habits as brown trout, but they are sterile. If they don't work out, then stocking ceases, and the population dies out.
Anglers fishing the Gorge know that the kokanee fishing is awesome this year. Unfortunately, the number of kokanee recruited to the lake in 2008, was the lowest ever recorded. Burbot have not only been found with kokanee as large as 10 inches in their stomachs (ice angling reports from '08) but have also been documented feeding on kokanee eggs at in-reservoir kokanee spawning areas (fall of 2007). Tigers are not common open water predators, so predation on kokanee should not occur.
In the neighborhood of 55K tiger trout were planted this summer, measuring between 3.5-5 inches in length. Loads were spread from Antelope Flat to Cedar Springs, in attempt to spread the fish out and hopefully increasing survival. At that size, they will have a tough time running from predators themselves. As a note, I personally saw one a couple of weeks ago while snorkeling that was 6-8 inches in length.
We'll all have to wait on the results, but the goal is for someone to cast a Shad Rap on the shores of FGR one day, fight a big 18" tiger into the boat, and see it puking up little burbot!
Hope it helps, Ryno
[signature]
Tiger trout were planted into the Gorge as a result of a decision made collectively by UDWR and WYG&F. I'm sure you already know that WYG&F has stocked brown trout over the years, to provide anglers with a fishing opportunity that used to be really successful. Tigers fill that same void, but possibly with a other benefits.
Benefit #1- Burbot are increasing rapidly in the Gorge. I know you're a great angler Ashley, but the burbot catch rates going up last winter also had something to do with the expanding population! LOL Burbot fry hatch in the spring and have been seen in huge numbers along the shore throught the upper lake in early to mid-May. Unfortunately, smallmouth bass, the major shoreline predator in the lake, aren't as active during that time period (depending on the year and water temp).
Quite a few anglers have already responded on the habits of tiger trout. They are very aggressive shoreline predators. The goal is for tiger trout to utilize burbot fry during the spring, and possibly juveniles during the remainder of the year, which also remain relatively shallow compared to adult burbot.
Benefit #2- If they're successful, tiger trout will offer anglers fishing the shoreline for smallmouth bass or rainbow trout, another exciting opportunity. They fight hard and they're beautiful fish!
Concerns- Some forum members, questioned the sense of establishing adding predator. That's a great observation. Once again, browns are already stocked in the northern portion of the reservoir, when fish are available. Tigers may continue to be stocked in the reservoir, when fish are available. Tiger trout have similar feeding habits as brown trout, but they are sterile. If they don't work out, then stocking ceases, and the population dies out.
Anglers fishing the Gorge know that the kokanee fishing is awesome this year. Unfortunately, the number of kokanee recruited to the lake in 2008, was the lowest ever recorded. Burbot have not only been found with kokanee as large as 10 inches in their stomachs (ice angling reports from '08) but have also been documented feeding on kokanee eggs at in-reservoir kokanee spawning areas (fall of 2007). Tigers are not common open water predators, so predation on kokanee should not occur.
In the neighborhood of 55K tiger trout were planted this summer, measuring between 3.5-5 inches in length. Loads were spread from Antelope Flat to Cedar Springs, in attempt to spread the fish out and hopefully increasing survival. At that size, they will have a tough time running from predators themselves. As a note, I personally saw one a couple of weeks ago while snorkeling that was 6-8 inches in length.
We'll all have to wait on the results, but the goal is for someone to cast a Shad Rap on the shores of FGR one day, fight a big 18" tiger into the boat, and see it puking up little burbot!
Hope it helps, Ryno
[signature]