Show Fishing season opening e moved u up to May 1 14 Opening day of the 1977 general fishing season in Utah has been set for Saturday May 14 Fishing will begin at am a.m. and will be legal until 1000 pm p.m. am a.m. to pm p.m. Mountain Standard Time when in effect in all waters of the state except where otherwise specified in the 1977 fishing and protected aquatic wildlife proclamation The earlier opening date applies only to the general fishing season opening date Waters with special opening dates will remain the same r-same r f. f Il z j e oara ved the earlier op opening ning date and granted authority to the Division of Wildlife Resources to set the 1977 season opener on either May 14 or 21 dependent on the Divisions Division's ability to provide and plant fish prior to the determined date After careful evaluation of available man power requirements and hatchery conditions throughout the state Don Smith director of the Division of Wildlife Resources and Donald Andriana Andriana Andriana An- An chief of Fisheries established the May 14 opening DIRECTOR Smith said We have attempted to maintain a consistency in our opening of our fishing season the last several years and have set aside the Saturday closest to June l lias as that day This year however both the Wildlife Board and the Division felt it best bes t under present circumstances circumstances circumstances cir cir- to move the opening date ahead ahead to take advantage of current water conditions Smith continued We realize that this change may cause some hardships on re report ort and an 1 sportsmen men who ha Faye e P uv jc time limb im around Eishi fishing ng r season Season However the dry season we are experiencing has placed abnormal abnormal abnormal ab ab- ab- ab normal pressure on the states state's hatchery system and on water supplies We are attempting to take best advantage of current favorable conditions in the fishing waters waters' of Utah by allowing fishermen to utilize those areas earlier than nor nor- mal The Wildlife Board is acutely aware that water will be in short supply during the later part of this summer MANY OF OUR hatcheries have experienced a significant reduction in water flowing into the hatchery some of them as much as 50 percent below normal Smith said creating a serious problem in maintaining maintaining main main- taming the same numbers of offish offish offish fish in the hatchery as usual We feel it is best to begin planting the size fish now and allow anglers anglers' to fish fisli for fOl them This will r relieve lie e pressure on the hatcheries ail arid provide fishermen with the h opportunity to fish waters w while ile they are available The Division also acknowledged the impact the early opening might have on programs and facilities of other state and federal agencies Those groups have been contacted contacted contacted con con- and there is a strong attitude of cooperation toward making this unusual opening a I successful one from all aspects |