Posts: 660
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2003
Reputation:
0
I was out there last night. It was combat fishing at its finest. People just crowd you right out of your spot. [:/] I brought in four eyes. Two I hooked in the mouth and two I accidentally snagged. I brought one home for the oven since I've heard eyes are good. I don't eat fish, but this thing was pretty tasty. It was ridiculous to see "some people" put everything they caught(snagged) in their kill bucket.
On the way out, my license was checked by the DWR. I observed this same officer "fishing" on the other side of the inlet. I assume he was there to enforce the laws as he pretended to fish. The crowd next to me kept one snagged fish after another. The officer said he would have a talk with them. I'm not sure if anyone was cited. [frown]
[signature]
Posts: 919
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2011
Reputation:
0
Post after post about snagging. It makes me sick!!!! Come on DWR, open your eyes already and close the gosh damned inlet.[:/]
[signature]
Posts: 36,143
Threads: 273
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
62
[cool][#0000FF]Glad you got to "experience" that...the catching and the eating. Lotsa people like walleye who don't like fish.
It is hard to convey the real scene there to anybody who has not witnessed it first hand. The hardcore harvesters are not there for sport. They keep casting and retrieving as if their lives depended on it. And they are in it for the food...or even the money. A lot of those fish are sold. They bring a good price.
No, you won't see any Orvis Dorks down their waving their megabucks rods and wearing beyond money togs...posing for the masses and not caring if they actually catch something. Those folks that gang up on the spawning walleyes have a look of urgency in their eyes. They are dead serious about the catching...and keeping...regardless of where the fish are hooked. And they would rather sacrifice an appendage than throw a fish back in.
Yeah, if you "Google" sportsmanship you are not likely to have Willard Bay walleye slaughter as one of the sites that pops up.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]
Posts: 608
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2005
Reputation:
0
o come on wiper mac u was all for it the other day u better head to ur next rac. meeting and tell them all what is going on,course then again u wont feel the effects of this till2 or three years [shocked][shocked][shocked][shocked]
[signature]
Posts: 299
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2011
Reputation:
0
[quote BigBuck3333]kocknut .[shocked][shocked][shocked][shocked][/quote]
I think it's kochanut[  ]
[signature]
Posts: 919
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2011
Reputation:
0
You'll have to excuse my friend little Bucky. He's kinda busy getting his posts edited by WH2.[cool]
[signature]
Posts: 231
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2013
Reputation:
0
You know I have witnessed this act years ago at bear lake, every year the lakers are spawning, there are several interesting fellows snagging 15 lb lakers in the stomach and tail .
In recent years the crowds have died down, the excitement of breaking the law and bringing home big snagged fish has left them!
Maybe the excitement will wear off soon, and when it does the eyes will still be there, and the law breakers will move on to the next big thrill!
[signature]
Posts: 2,552
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2012
Reputation:
0
I haven't chimed in on this until now.
There's a vast gulf between occasionally breaking a law unintentionally and the reverse. Who hasn't landed and kept a fish when the hooks were somewhere other than inside the mouth? But this wholesale and wanton disregard for the law is something else entirely.
The DWR ought to have a fleet of trucks and officers descend on that inlet very soon, and inspect every single person and vehicle leaving it. Have tow trucks handy and impound every damn one of them if the occupants are over the limit or show signs of any other violation. Film them keeping snagged fish with telephoto lenses.
I guarondamntee you, the word would spread even faster than the tales of this obscene situation has among the poacher set.
[signature]
Posts: 1,734
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2007
Reputation:
0
[quote RockyRaab]I haven't chimed in on this until now.
There's a vast gulf between occasionally breaking a law unintentionally and the reverse. Who hasn't landed and kept a fish when the hooks were somewhere other than inside the mouth? But this wholesale and wanton disregard for the law is something else entirely.
The DWR ought to have a fleet of trucks and officers descend on that inlet very soon, and inspect every single person and vehicle leaving it. Have tow trucks handy and impound every damn one of them if the occupants are over the limit or show signs of any other violation. Film them keeping snagged fish with telephoto lenses.
I guarondamntee you, the word would spread even faster than the tales of this obscene situation has among the poacher set.[/quote]Major +1!!!! I don't fish for walleye much, but I hate snagging of gamefish of any kind, even if it doesn't hurt the population. Have the DWR confiscate a couple vehicles, and the thievery will stop.
[signature]
Posts: 296
Threads: 3
Joined: Aug 2003
Reputation:
0
I have watched these post for several days now, kinda of a  commentary for mankind, i agree there is definitely no sportsmanship involved here what so ever. Rumor has it, that in past years people have illegally fished the canal / inlet during the spawn, but it sounds like now that it is legal, it is a snagging slaughter fest, and that their is not much that can be done, or is being done to those individuals violating the snagging regulations. I really do believe the DWR fish and wildlife management folks, know how to mangage are fisheries, if everybody plays by the rules, but it sounds like from many of the post i have read here, that they're are quite a few that are not. From what is reported, this type of harvest, should not[/u] be detrimental to the walleye population of Willard Bay, but my gut instinct, like so many others here, is that this is an opportunity for abuse, just by the nature of the circumstances at hand (fish in a barrel) . My curiosity then gets the best of me, Is there a disconnect between our management of fish and wildlife and the enforcement of the regulations, especially when they change in the regulations, may result in a sensitive situation like this. I was wondering, how many people each year are actually prosecuted, for fish and wild life violations? does the DWR have any strategies for bolstering their enforcement? or writing a regulation in such a way that it is enforceable?(snagging). I know it is allot of ground to cover with the limited resources they have, does local law enforcement have the authorization to enforce fish and wildlife violations?
Maybe somebody from the DWR will see this post and enlighten us on their challenges, regarding enforcement of Utah's fishing regulations, and direct us in what the average ( law / regulation) abiding Utah sportsman can do to help them in their efforts, to protect this resource and others for the future. In the end, it all boils down to this..... you can (make or pass) all the regulations or laws you want, but if you don't have anybody too, or you cannot enforce them, they are worthless.[frown]
[signature]
Posts: 248
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2007
Reputation:
0
Right on the money, "pun intended" with the selling of fish. Some folks I know will actually pay more for the walleye internals (guts) than for the fish itself, and in some cases that's all they want. [crazy]
[signature]
Posts: 190
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2010
Reputation:
0
You know I was at the meeting, and for the most part agreed with the biologists/F&G's decision based on the science and creating more opportunity. Some folks just aren't as educated or hard core about fishing as others so a little opportunity shouldn't be a terrible thing. But how they could be so naive and not think that whats going on wasn't going to happen is ridiculous! There has got to be several hundred fish coming out of there daily, with these numbers I really have a hard time seeing it not having a substantial impact on what in many peoples opinions is a highly respected game fish. The opportunity for others is a great idea but the over exploitation is disappointing. I did recall the one DNR fellow saying that it will be going downhill so get out there and enjoy it while you can, hmmmmm.
[signature]
Posts: 4,335
Threads: 0
Joined: Mar 2008
Reputation:
0
[quote CatchinCompany][quote BigBuck3333]kocknut .[shocked][shocked][shocked][shocked][/quote]
I think it's kochanut[ ][/quote]
?? what did i do, or whos sensitive feelings did i hurt now?
[signature]
Posts: 222
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2005
Reputation:
0
Hello everyone.
I just wanted to take a minute or two to let folks know how/why this regulation was changed this year. I would like to also clarify a few misunderstandings as well.
The regulation was changed because our biologists who manage Willard Bay, have gone to great length and effort to understand the various fish populations (walleye and wipers included) indicated that walleye harvest is way down and the population is high. There have been egg survival studies that are specific to the willard inlet at the south marina. Due to the heavy sediment there walleye that do enter the south marina and spawn don't contribute to the walleye population in Willard Bay. The eggs just get covered with silt and die.
The DWR law enforcement wanted to NOT penalize all anglers for the illegal activities of some knuckle heads. They felt and still feel that they can curb the illegal behavior by having a consistent presence. From the sounds of of several of the posts here, the DWR enforcement folks are indeed out there daily.
The DWR advertised this as a potential regulation change in the news, we presented it at the RAC and Wildlife Board as well. Not one person........and I literally mean not one person spoke up, sent any email, or letters to the DWR opposing this. Although we had the biology behind us and the commitment from our Law Enforcement folks to enforce the laws we were wondering how the public would react to the potential change. The DWR felt comfortable with the change when no one opposed it.
My question to everyone is what constitutes an emergency here?
Is the emergency now, due to a lack of public involvement by anglers last fall? Because this is a social issue and not a biological issue we needed to hear from the anglers at the proper time and place to react to a social desire. We can't read your minds. We can measure fish and respond to law breakers but we need YOU to be involved appropriately.
This is very much like not voting and then being a chronic complainer about what initiatives passed and who was elected.
The reason the DWR supported this opening is to provide additional opportunities for anglers. Biologically this opening is/was a non-issue. That said, our job within the DWR is to also manage conflict. It looks like we failed here.....largely because we didn't hear from the anglers when it really mattered.
The DWR would very much appreciate your presence at the RAC's and Wildlife Board to address this and any other issues in the future. After all these are your fisheries....Our job is to understand the biology and manage your fisheries the best that we can. We need your feedback to understand the social side of our fisheries.
If anyone would like to call and discuss this further. Please call me at 801-230-6119. This is my cell number and I would be very happy to discuss this with anyone at any time.
Drew Cushing
[signature]
Posts: 4,182
Threads: 74
Joined: Sep 2007
Reputation:
22
[quote dowhatwecan]The regulation was changed because our biologists who manage Willard Bay, have gone to great length and effort to understand the various fish populations (walleye and wipers included) indicated that walleye harvest is way down and the population is high. There have been egg survival studies that are specific to the willard inlet at the south marina. Due to the heavy sediment there walleye that do enter the south marina and spawn don't contribute to the walleye population in Willard Bay. The eggs just get covered with silt and die.
The DWR law enforcement wanted to NOT penalize all anglers for the illegal activities of some knuckle heads. They felt and still feel that they can curb the illegal behavior by having a consistent presence. From the sounds of several of the posts here, the DWR enforcement folks are indeed out there daily.
The DWR advertised this as a potential regulation change in the news, we presented it at the RAC and Wildlife Board as well. Not one person........and I literally mean not one person spoke up, sent any email, or letters to the DWR opposing this.
The reason the DWR supported this opening is to provide additional opportunities for anglers. Biologically this opening is/was a non-issue.
Our job is to understand the biology and manage your fisheries the best that we can.[/quote]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]+1000! Thank you Drew. One of the few intelligent voices in the wilderness. I took the liberty of quoting some of what you wrote. I highlighted some key points.[/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]As to whether the inlet should be closed or open at this time of year, I could care less. Combat fishing has never been my style and I don’t plan to change at this point in my life. But I do have a major gripe over this issue and that is the seemingly inconsistent understanding of snagging and releasing snagged fish. According to the reports being posted here, it appears like a lot of folks being confronted out there by BFT members are of the opinion that you CAN keep a snagged fish if it was not intentionally snagged. It certainly DOES NOT say that in the Guidebook. But, then again, the Guidebook isn’t really that clear on the matter either.[/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]There are just 2 references to snagging in the Guidebook. There is a definition that states " Snagging or gaffing means to take a fish in a manner that the fish does not take the hook voluntarily into its mouth." And then there is a statement that says "You may not take or land a fish by snagging or gaffing, and you may not have a gaff in your possession while fishing."[/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]Having written dozens of technical documents over my working career, I can tell you that the second statement could have been written better such that nobody could interpret it to mean that it is legal to keep a snagged fish if the snagging was unintentional. And just how are you going to remove a lure or hook from a snagged fish without ‘landing’ the fish? And just exactly what constitutes ‘landing’ a fish? That term is NOT defined in the proclamation, so it could just be the interpretation of a CO that you did, or did not, illegally ‘land’ a snagged fish.[/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]I’m not at all  about the issue. Based on the poorly written description of the issue in the Guidebook, I’m of the opinion that any and all snagged fish must be immediately released regardless of the intent to snag or not snag. But you might just want to have somebody in the DWR take another look at the wording used in the Guidebook.[/#800000][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][/#800000][/font]
[signature]
Bob Hicks, from Utah
I'm 83 years young and going as hard as I can for as long as I can.
"Free men do not ask permission to bear arms."
Posts: 1,352
Threads: 17
Joined: Oct 2007
Reputation:
3
[quote dowhatwecan]The regulation was changed because our biologists who manage Willard Bay, have gone to great length and effort to understand the various fish populations (walleye and wipers included) indicated that walleye harvest is way down and the population is high. There have been egg survival studies that are specific to the willard inlet at the south marina. Due to the heavy sediment there walleye that do enter the south marina and spawn don't contribute to the walleye population in Willard Bay. The eggs just get covered with silt and die.
Drew Cushing[/quote]
Mr. Cushing,
Thank you for your reply.
I have just one question on the area I highlighted above.
If the biologists determined the walleye harvest was way down, did these biologists even consider increasing the harvest limit from 6 to say 10 or even double to 12?
I guess from my angling prespective and I'm no biologist by any means but if a harvest limit is down why not increase the angling harvest limit first before opening up a popular spawning area to fishing?
Respectfully,
Kim
[signature]
Posts: 156
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2013
Reputation:
0
Would this regulation be a viable opportunity if Utah were to start a walleye stocking program? I know that Utah has never had a walleye program, but what if?
What about the possibility of a sterile walleye or a hybrid? I had suggested a year or two ago that there be sterile walleye of saugeye introduced into a reservoir in northern Utah to give more opportunity for both open water and hard deck fishing. What is the status of this suggestion. I was told it would be discussed but have no update.
Does fisheries feel the need for a decrease in the walleye population in Willard? I personally enjoy the high population, so long as there is forage to support it. In the summer fishing there I'd rather catch a bunch of walleye and a few wiper than a bunch of wiper and only a couple of walleye. I think the forage base could make it possible for a serious trophy walleye fishery.
Thanks for your time.
[signature]
Posts: 299
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2011
Reputation:
0
[quote kochanut][quote CatchinCompany][quote BigBuck3333]kocknut .[shocked][shocked][shocked][shocked][/quote]
I think it's kochanut[ ][/quote]
?? what did i do, or whos sensitive feelings did i hurt now?[/quote]
It was just a typo from bigbuck, saying something about you taking pictures or something, don't really remember. It just made me laugh when I read it.
I don't think you hurt anyone's feelers[  ]
[signature]
Posts: 33,223
Threads: 438
Joined: Feb 2002
Reputation:
36
[quote not-a-purist]Would this regulation be a viable opportunity if Utah were to start a walleye stocking program? I know that Utah has never had a walleye program, but what if?
What about the possibility of a sterile walleye or a hybrid? I had suggested a year or two ago that there be sterile walleye of saugeye introduced into a reservoir in northern Utah to give more opportunity for both open water and hard deck fishing. What is the status of this suggestion. I was told it would be discussed but have no update.
[/quote]
Drew left his phone number for a reason, call him and get an answer to your questions. Mike4cobra called him and you might be happily surprised at the answers. Sounds like it might just happen[  ].
[signature]
Posts: 298
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2011
Reputation:
0
I know I'm hyjacking this thread, but I've never caught a walleye and would really like catch one. It sounds like the inlet might be an opportunity for me to take a shot at it today. Does anyone have any advice for lures, baits, methods, or even where at the inlet to try? I've never been to Willard and don't know what to expect. Also, does anyone know the cost to park/fish there?
[signature]
|
