04-20-2007, 08:50 PM
[indent][#333333][black][size 5]It is important for anyone fishing Lake Powell to know the following information. [black][size 4]All Stripers caught SHOULD be kept in order to keep the delicate balance of predator vs prey. Any striper too skinny to be worth consumption should be CP&R (caught punctured and released) I quote the following from Wayne Gustaveson the fisheries bioligist for Lake Powell: [/size][/black] [/size][/black]
I got a question about our unusual policy on stripers in 2007 and gave this response.
I understand your concern and thank you for asking. The situation at Lake Powell is unique in that a prolific ocean fish is over producing in fresh water. We have removed the limit on stripers so that anglers can help us keep the population in balance with forage. That program has been successful in most years and has kept the striper population healthy. But recently 3 years of good forage allowed striped bass to reproduce successfully for 3 straight years. The result was too many fish times 10.
Despite harvesting almost 2 million stripers last year there are still millions and not enough forage. Therefore the adults that are not able to eat plankton are malnourished and do not have prime flesh for human consumption. They will die soon from starvation. The better thing for these thin fish is to euthanize them now and prevent them the agony of starvation. So if you catch fish that are obviously skinny it is more humane to kill them quickly. If there is not room to bring them all back to the fish cleaning station for disposal they can be sunk in deep water where the nutrients from the fish can be recycled. Make sure to puncture the air bladder.
If healthy fish are encountered treat them with respect and keep them to eat or return them as you choose. Smaller stripers are in prime condition and should not be wasted. These should be kept and filleted. Put them on ice, fillet as soon as possible, take them home and give them to your friends and neighbors. You will be very popular.
This situation is temporary and different instructions are offered each year to alert anglers of the health of the population and how they should be handled.
There is a new generation of stripers waiting to take the place of the declining adults. I expect the striped bass to be closer to balancing with forage in 2008.
Wayne
[black][size 4]It is also advisable to keep a limit of 12-14 inch smallmouth bass and a limit of walleye where possible. This is the best way to limit over predation on the shad population which results in the boom and bust years of fishing for all species in Lake Powell. [/size][/black]
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[#000000][size 4]Thanks for your assistance keep a striper and save a shad (or two)![/size][/#000000]
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I got a question about our unusual policy on stripers in 2007 and gave this response.
I understand your concern and thank you for asking. The situation at Lake Powell is unique in that a prolific ocean fish is over producing in fresh water. We have removed the limit on stripers so that anglers can help us keep the population in balance with forage. That program has been successful in most years and has kept the striper population healthy. But recently 3 years of good forage allowed striped bass to reproduce successfully for 3 straight years. The result was too many fish times 10.
Despite harvesting almost 2 million stripers last year there are still millions and not enough forage. Therefore the adults that are not able to eat plankton are malnourished and do not have prime flesh for human consumption. They will die soon from starvation. The better thing for these thin fish is to euthanize them now and prevent them the agony of starvation. So if you catch fish that are obviously skinny it is more humane to kill them quickly. If there is not room to bring them all back to the fish cleaning station for disposal they can be sunk in deep water where the nutrients from the fish can be recycled. Make sure to puncture the air bladder.
If healthy fish are encountered treat them with respect and keep them to eat or return them as you choose. Smaller stripers are in prime condition and should not be wasted. These should be kept and filleted. Put them on ice, fillet as soon as possible, take them home and give them to your friends and neighbors. You will be very popular.
This situation is temporary and different instructions are offered each year to alert anglers of the health of the population and how they should be handled.
There is a new generation of stripers waiting to take the place of the declining adults. I expect the striped bass to be closer to balancing with forage in 2008.
Wayne
[black][size 4]It is also advisable to keep a limit of 12-14 inch smallmouth bass and a limit of walleye where possible. This is the best way to limit over predation on the shad population which results in the boom and bust years of fishing for all species in Lake Powell. [/size][/black]
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[#000000][size 4]Thanks for your assistance keep a striper and save a shad (or two)![/size][/#000000]
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] I now the DWR isn't perfect, but they should look at over hauling their process when it comes to such recommendations as Powell or Yuba. 
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]! What a great forum! I really enjoy learning from you all, and hope to give a little back myself!