Newton Wakeless

[CoyoteSpinner]

Got your attention!

I had a "chat" with Eric Bradshaw with Parks and Recreation (thanks Bob!). I was curious about the new launch, and my suggestion that they install wakeless buoys around the launch area to protect the new ramp from the reckless. No buoys for now, but he did inform me there are plans to "install" a lake-wide wakeless "rule" on the lake when the water drops below a certain level (TBD). Would include posted signs, and educating boaters and enforcers alike. Probably won't help the un-educated, but at least gives the lawgivers some tooth.

I took that as good news. Could be better! I'd suggested circulating a petition from those who would favor the whole lake going wakeless, or at least defining - say the area by the dam being designated wakeless. I have no idea how to do that "online", but if anyone has suggestions - I'm open.

He did indicate feedback from users is welcome, and helps guide their decision making process and future planning.

I had also inquired if a launch-fee was coming (to pay for the improvements). No was the reply.

Just thought I'd share. I see it as a move in the right direction for that little puddle.
Any suggestions for petitioning - I'd appreciate you support, feedback, "signatures", or maybe a letter writing campaign?

I didn't ask anything about future stocking plans, but it's another point of inquiry.

[gstott]

That sounds like progress in any case. I just might spend some time there again if this happens.
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[Pharticus]

As soon as they put some fish back in...
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[CoyoteSpinner]

Maybe I should ask him about stocking plans. Maybe they could just plant a bunch of Finless Freddies! [crazy]
Seems Wellsville got some fatties. Did you know they plunked some bass-n-gills there too?

I'd expect some of the perch, crappie and bass might have managed overwinter. Thought I'd heard rumor some toothy buggers might have been spotted since ice off. Don't know if they've revised the upped limits from last fall?

What would you folks think of Sauger or Walleye in that water? Might not be a good lake for recruitment with the annual draw down. Need to get up there have a lookie see.

[gstott]

I think enough bass and panfish likely survived that it will come back within a few years. It will probably take a little while to get things sorted out with the wakeless zone too, so maybe they'll come together around the same time.

I would definitely fish it a bit if they put saugeye in there as I'm always game to catch a new species.
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[albinotrout]

Wake less would be good. Not sure about stocking trout. Since it gets drawn down so low every year. They would have a heck of a time.
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[dubob]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 3]Sounds like a good start CS.[/size][/#800000][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 3] Thanks for making the effort.
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[CoyoteSpinner]

Maybe I didn't throw down enough emoticons. That was a joke (I hope!). Enough trout stocking in this great state already, IMHO. Many of our trout-infested waters, I take on the challenge of NOT catching the slimers, and targetting more interesting fish species. It's not easy sometimes!

One of the things I liked about Newton.

Maybe the stress will favor the catfish there. Never had targeted them there, but I've heard of some toads back in the day. WAY back when - but it is a Northern water after all. I'd expect even a good sized Musky would prefer a mouthful of peckish perch over even a moderately sized spiky catfish.

Wonder how Condie has rebounded from it's super draw down a couple years ago. Didn't hear how low it got last year.

[not-a-purist]

I hope they make the whole lake wakeless all the time. One, the lake is too small for ski boats, and two, the erosion is undeniable!!

I can't even count how many close close calls we have had with ski boats ramming us while we are fishing.

I suggested last year to try stocking saugeye or walleye in there. The walleye are already downstream, and there is no upstream.

Maybe they will stock a better strain of crappie in there like there was before it was drained int he early 2000's. Much better fishing for ALL species back then.
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[Fishrmn]

[quote CoyoteSpinner]Don't know if they've revised the upped limits from last fall?[/quote]

They expired on January 1st.

DAILY BAG LIMIT INCREASE: Newton Reservoir (Cache County) (PDF format)
The daily bag and possession limit has increased to:
Twelve (12) largemouth bass
One hundred (100) bluegill
One hundred (100) crappie
One hundred (100) yellow perch
Sixteen (16) channel catfish
One (1) tiger muskellunge over 40 inches
[red]This change is effective immediately and will remain in effect through December 31, 2013. [/red]Water levels in Newton Reservoir are extremely low and not anticipated to significantly increase in the near future. These conditions may lead to a fish kill this coming winter due to low oxygen levels combined with an abundant fish population. Limits are being temporarily liberalized to allow anglers to harvest fish that may otherwise be lost.

[red]⫸[/red][orange]<{[/orange][yellow]{{[/yellow][green]{{[/green][size 4][blue]⦇[/blue][/size][blue]°[/blue][#8000FF]>[/#8000FF]
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[LIL_FISH]

I am for that reservoir to be wake-less. I am not from Cache but the first time I fished there I was shocked to see people skiing and wake boarding on that lake. They didn't care that people were on paddle boards. I thought they were trying to swamp them they were so close. I would probably go there more often if it was wake-less.
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[gstott]

Condie didn't get too low last year, just normal summer draw down levels. With the warm weather finally here, I may have to check it out soon to see first hand how it's doing.
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[CoyoteSpinner]

Thanks. I'll be curious to hear any fishing reports this spring.