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Show FISH AND GAME HIGHLIGHTS Water conditions on fishing waters wa-ters throughout the state were forecast fore-cast to continue 'high through the next several days to the next couple of weeks. This outlook, department of fish and game spokesmen noted today, will hold especially true on the major ma-jor drainages throughout the northern nor-thern half of the state where heavy nowpack at higher elevation are yet to come down the streams. OPENER TERMED "GOOD" High water and weather extremes extrem-es set an unpredictable fishing pattern pat-tern over the opening week end of Utah' 1962 angling season. Despite this, however, an estimated estima-ted 180,000 anglers enjoyed generally gener-ally fair to good fishing over the opener. High water levels in the .reservoirs .reser-voirs together with recent cool weather, wea-ther, conspired to slow creel returns re-turns on several waters to a point below those earlier anticipated. In spite of this, reports coming to department de-partment offices from field personnel, person-nel, resort operators, and individuals individ-uals alike were summarized from all sections of the state in words, "Most everyone caught some fish and many anglers limited." As predicted earlier the larger waters sustained the heaviest fishing pressure and yielded thebest returns re-turns to anglers over the weekend. These traditionally favored lakes, streams, and reservoirs from Pan-guitch Pan-guitch on the south to Blacksmith Fork and Logan Rivers on the north produced from fair to good catches of trout. Mid-April type weather and water wa-ter conditions were the rule thru-out thru-out the state over the weekend. Department spokesmen noted these same conditions were owing, in large part, to the absence of so-called so-called "red hot" fishing on many waters but added that angling returns re-turns are expected to pick up with the gradual stabilization and lowering lower-ing of water levels on the streams and reservoirs. The general angling season continues con-tinues through Nov. 30 with daily fishing hours 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Violations of fish and game laws covering the opening weekend of the fishing season showed a number of arrests being made for "over-limits "over-limits of fish." The department reminded that justice courts take a dim view of such violations and heavy fines are usually assessed the guilty parties. Spokesmen urged anglers to respect re-spect these limits in the interest of fair play and a more equitable distribution dis-tribution of fish to all license holders. hold-ers. Possession limits and bag limits once again this year remain as one and the same. For trout and or salmon, regulations list the bag and possession limits for each license holder as ten fish or seven pounds and one fish, whichever is caught first. Department officials also reminded remin-ded that licenses are required by law for anyone 12 years of age or older. Trout limits for resident children under twelve were listed as four fish or three pounds and one fish, whichever is caught first. For nonresident non-resident children under twelve the law requires that all fish taken must be counted in the bag of the adult angler accompanying the juvenile. ju-venile. Creel checks over the week end disclosed that several waters this year will consistently produce fish in the pound or better each class, prompted the further reminder to observe weight limits. Spokesmen noted that the weight limits of all game fish are computed comput-ed on the basis of dressed weight of the fish with heads and tails intact. in-tact. There are no minimum size limits lim-its on any fish species in Utah. |