11-05-2014, 11:42 AM
Thanks for the report Sharksugar101. I was contacted by another concerned angler last Friday regarding "snagging" in Linwood Bay. Law enforcement from both UDWR and the USFS are aware of the situation. It's definitely nothing new, although the last couple of years have been relatively quiet in terms of complaints, concerns, arguments, etc stemming from Linwood Bay.
As you're probably aware, it's difficult to manage unethical behavior. It's also unfortunate. It will inevitably mean "punishing the masses, for the mistakes of the few". There has been discussion on a regulation change that will deal with these issues in Linwood Bay. Options that have been suggested and are being considered include a gear restriction (no trebles, small gap size, etc), foul hooked fish restrictions (illegal to remove foul hooked fish from the water), and simply changing to a 24-hour closure from October 15th through the second Saturday in December.
The latter change would be the quicker/easier option to implement, but will obviously impact more anglers. Like yourself, not everyone targeting lake trout in Linwood Bay is doing it unethically and there's also anglers that are targeting other species. Regardless of the option selected, I'm certain a change will be implemented in the near future.
If you (or anyone else on this thread) would like to discuss this issue or your observations further, feel free to contact me via email [url "mailto:ryanmosley@utah.gov"]ryanmosley@utah.gov[/url] or cell (435)621-2546.
Thanks, Ryan Mosley
UDWR Flaming Gorge Fisheries Biologist
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As you're probably aware, it's difficult to manage unethical behavior. It's also unfortunate. It will inevitably mean "punishing the masses, for the mistakes of the few". There has been discussion on a regulation change that will deal with these issues in Linwood Bay. Options that have been suggested and are being considered include a gear restriction (no trebles, small gap size, etc), foul hooked fish restrictions (illegal to remove foul hooked fish from the water), and simply changing to a 24-hour closure from October 15th through the second Saturday in December.
The latter change would be the quicker/easier option to implement, but will obviously impact more anglers. Like yourself, not everyone targeting lake trout in Linwood Bay is doing it unethically and there's also anglers that are targeting other species. Regardless of the option selected, I'm certain a change will be implemented in the near future.
If you (or anyone else on this thread) would like to discuss this issue or your observations further, feel free to contact me via email [url "mailto:ryanmosley@utah.gov"]ryanmosley@utah.gov[/url] or cell (435)621-2546.
Thanks, Ryan Mosley
UDWR Flaming Gorge Fisheries Biologist
[signature]