08-05-2009, 10:46 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I did not belabor the point in an already wordy report, but I did reflect that I had witnessed the whole food chain at work. The tiny frylets are no doubt in the shallows (less than 1 foot) snarfing up zooplankton and mud dwelling microorganisms. The small white bass are accustomed (instinct vs experience) to looking for them there and can find them very well through a combination of superior nocturnal vision and a sensitive lateral line.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The larger walleyes...large enough to include white bass in their diet...respond to the vibrations of feeding whities and sneak in to pick off those that are not wary enough to avoid predators. Even the catfish are both nocturnal and diurnal feeders and often strike lures being fished for other species.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As I was kicking back in to change venues this morning, I noticed a large black object swimming in those same shallows near where I had launched. Thinking it might be a beaver, I approached quietly and then observed that it was unlike any beaver I had ever watched before. Only when I got within a few feet did I recognize it for what it was...A HUGE CATFISH...CRUISING WITH ITS HEAD PARTIALLY OUT OF WATER. I have seen tiger muskies do that but never catfish. As soon as it realized I was in the area and watching it it became bashful and boogied.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In spite of being overrun by carp, Utah Lake is very healthy and full of food for all species. I filleted white bass, walleyes and catfish today. All had full bellies and abundant internal fat. Even though the lake can get "stained", the predator species all have good night hunting abilities to forage in the dark or in murky water. They don't need no steenking FLIR.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The larger walleyes...large enough to include white bass in their diet...respond to the vibrations of feeding whities and sneak in to pick off those that are not wary enough to avoid predators. Even the catfish are both nocturnal and diurnal feeders and often strike lures being fished for other species.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As I was kicking back in to change venues this morning, I noticed a large black object swimming in those same shallows near where I had launched. Thinking it might be a beaver, I approached quietly and then observed that it was unlike any beaver I had ever watched before. Only when I got within a few feet did I recognize it for what it was...A HUGE CATFISH...CRUISING WITH ITS HEAD PARTIALLY OUT OF WATER. I have seen tiger muskies do that but never catfish. As soon as it realized I was in the area and watching it it became bashful and boogied.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In spite of being overrun by carp, Utah Lake is very healthy and full of food for all species. I filleted white bass, walleyes and catfish today. All had full bellies and abundant internal fat. Even though the lake can get "stained", the predator species all have good night hunting abilities to forage in the dark or in murky water. They don't need no steenking FLIR.[/#0000ff]
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