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Show I1 K if It's Your Wildlife 3 V ' MVS B (iarth rrler I Willi the warm days of March and April also come the fishing trips to Lake Powell. Last Sunday I returned from a law enforcement assignment at Lake Powell. As of Sunday, the fishing status was still classified as poor. The Bullfrog area was yielding very few fish to the anglers. The Hite area seemed to be a little better, but still poor enough to discourage all but the avid fisherman. The few lucky anglers that got the privilege of filleting bass indicated they were having best success with a bait of purple worms. The general gener-al consensus of the local Lake Powell handicappers felt that by the second week of April, anglers can expect to be rewarded with fish for their efforts. Good Luck! gkc Rick Stowell is a fishery biologist stationed at Bullfrog Bull-frog Basin. The following is sent from Rick to help inform our non-Lake Powell Pow-ell enthusiasts of fising possibilities at the Lake... Fish of Lake Powell Lake Powell is one of Utah's finest warm water fisheries. The 186 mile long reservoir contains ll species of game fish. The most popular are the large mouth bass and black crappie. Recent introductions introduc-tions of striped bass have provided a fish which is rapidly gaining popularity with Lake Powell anglers. Other commonly found fish include the rainbow trout, channel catfish, bluegill, green sunfish, and walleye. Two game fish which are considered rare in Lake Powell are the northern Pike and bullhead bull-head catfish. Lake Powell also contains five non-game non-game fish which are seldom caught by fishermen. fisher-men. These are: carp, flannelmouth and humpback hump-back sucker, Colorado River Squawfish, and the threadfin shad. The game fish at Lake Powell primarily feed on threadfin shad. Shad were introduced into Lake Powell Pow-ell in 1971 by the Division of Wildlife Resources to provide a readily available food supply for game fish. Introduction has been a success. During most months, nearly 95 per cent of the diet of bass, crappie, walleye and striped bass is composed of these small fish. Nearly all species in the lake utilize shad at some period during the year. A diet of shad has the benefit of causing rapid growth. Immediately Immediate-ly after shad introduction the average size of bass and crappie increased. Largemouth bass average aver-age 2 ' 2 pounds and the state record was set at Lake Powell with a fish weighing 10 pounds, 2 ounces. Crappie at Lake Powell, on the average are the largest found in Utah. The crappie record was set at Lake Powell (2 lbs. 4 oz.) in 1975. Striped bass, which have the potential of being the largest game fish in Utah, are now almost 9 pounds and some should tip the scales in excess of 17 pounds by 1980. On a rich diet of shad these fish could grow to 40 or 50 pounds in the future. Lake Powell game fish are found in a variety of locations. Submerged trees and brush offer cover for crappie and small bass as well as bluegills and green sun-fish. sun-fish. Although larger bass are taken in these areas, the "big" bass, 3 to 6 pounds, are found more commonly in areas of broken rock and deeper water. Striped bass, on the other hand, are an "open-water" fish and are found in deep water away from shore. The catfish and walleye are primarily bottom fish. They can be found mostly on flat sand and gravel areas in 15 to 40 feet of water, and are most ac tive at night. In any one day, fishing on Lake Powell, a large variety of fish can be caught and the potential of a large fish or even a new state record is good. Many people may be surprised to know that the bald eagle should not be taken for granted since it is now on the endangered list of American animals. In 1782 the Bald Kagle was declared the national . symbol. Presently, it is on the endangered list in 43 of the contiguous states. In the remaining four, it is on the threatened list. Illegal shooting, trapping, trap-ping, pesticides, poison and loss of habitat from our "advancing" civilization civiliza-tion have all played a part in reducing numbers of our once-ubundant eagle population. Locally we can expect to .see a few Hald Kagles during the winter months since- winter migration along waterways is part of the bird's annual life cycle. Since being classified as endangered, the bald eagle eag-le will lie provided with additional legal protection. protec-tion. Illegal taking of (lie bird will constitute a Class "A" misdemeanor with possibility of high court fines. -gkc-April 3 local sportsmen are invited to join in on the annual range ride to view the big game habitat conditions. The LaSal Mountain deer unit will be investigated and interested interest-ed people should contact me. The Delores Triangle will be explored on April 6 and South Bookcliffs Unit on April 7. |