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Show Fishing Season Starts South Utah -Bright Spot' For Saturday's Opener Division of Wildlife Resources spokesman Glenn Davis is hailing southern Utah as the "bright spot" (n the fishing forecast for Saturday's fishing season opener where a mild winter has resulted in ideal conditions. "Almost everything is accessible and the lakes and reservoirs look real good. Anyone undecided on a spot for the opener might try one of several prime southern Utah candidates," says Davis. He predicts Tropic, Forsyth, Lower Bowns, Paragonah, Newcastle, Upper Enterprise and Wide Hollow reservoirs, as well as Navajo Lake, as top producers. Traditional waters like Otter Creek Reservoir and Panguitch Lake will draw large crowds and are expected to provide excellent fishing and Davis says that Joe's Valley Reservoir in Emery County is also expected to be a good bet for the opener. Over 300,000 trout have been stocked this spring in preparation for Saturday, a traditional early-summer ritual for thousands of Utah anglers. "Most major waters were stocked with fingerling trout in 1983 which now have reached catchable size," says Davis. "Other waters such as Deer Creek Reservoir, Navajo Lake and a lot of smaller lakes and reservoirs have recently been stocked with catchable-size trout," he added. Anglers should read the fishing proclamation before the June 2 opener, says Division of Wildlife Resources law enforcement Chief Paul Woodbury. "Trout limits are the same six fish on the first three days of the season, then up to eight. But there have been some other changes that fishermen may not be aware of," says Woodbury. The laW 1 enforcement chief says most of the changes, labeled "amended" on the proclamation, deal with size and big limits on bass and panfish. According to Woodbury, many anglers don't bother to read the new regulations, expecting" them to be the same year after year; But Woodbury says modern fisheries management requires more frequent rule changes to maintain a healthy fishery. Woodbury says common violations on the opener are overlimits and fishing in closed waters. He says such violations could be avoided if anglers would simply read the regulations. Another common offense is fishing some people just don't bother to buy a license, but others simply forget to carry it with them. "We have no choice but to ticket forgetful fishermen who leave their licenses (Continued on Page 2) Utah Department of Transportation workers work to replace highway signs. Entire display of road signs collapsed Saturday afternoon when struck by a strong burst of wind at Center and Main. Fishing (Continued from Page t) at home or in the car," says Woodbury. Over 100 DWR conservation officers will be afield June 2, ticketbooks in hand, to help anglers "remember" the regulations and their licenses. Specific predictions are as follows: Antimony Creek with its population of wild rainbows is expected to be better than later in the summer and the water level will be high. Camping is available. Asay Creek may not be stocked in time for the opener because of high water but will be stocked with catchables when fishable. Access is difficult because of private ownership of land. No camping sites. Boulder Mountain Lake are expected to produce well if they are accessible with the higher roads and trails expected to be closed. Winterkill in some lakes is a possibility. Camping available. Lower Bowns is expected to have fairly good fishing with best results from boats. Only small boats may be launched at the lake because of poor access to the lake shoreline. Camping available. Mammoth Creek is expected to be high and muddy. Wild brown trout are found naturally in the creek much of which is on private land. Pressure is expected to be light. The headwater area and lower and below U.S. 89 will be stocked with catchables when water levels permit. No camping. Otter Creek has brown trout and rainbows and water levels are expected to be high if releases from Koosharem are heavy. A large amount of the stream is on private land. Camping is available. North Creek Lakes, Barker and Lower Barker Reservoirs will produce good fishing for rainbow and brook trout. Access is by dirt i i , road and can be1 poor' when wet. Camping is available.' All but two of the lakes are walk-in; Otter Creek Reservoir opened on April 14 and has been producing well. Access is good and there are boat ramps along with good camping. Pressure is expected to be heavy with rainbows averaging from to 2 pounds, Pangultch Lake is expected to have heavy pressure on opening day with fishing anticipated good from boats and unpredictable from the shore. Boat ramps and camping and good access. Rainbows, some brook trout and some cutthroats. Pine Lake, has been stocked with catchable rainbows and has some carryover of fish from other years. It has good access, boat ramps, good camping and is expected to have moderate pressure. Posey Lake has been stocked for the opening and should have good fishing throughout the year. The best fishing is from small boats. There are no boat ramps but there is a campground. Pressure is expected to be heavy. Access is by a 15-mile 1 gravel road from Escalante. Tropic Reservoir has a fair carryover offish from last year with fishing tending to be better later in the summer. Pressure is expected to be light. There are no boat ramps but excellent camping. Cutthroats and rainbows average one-half of one pound. Wide Hollow Reservoir is expected to provide better fishing than In past years. Good access, boat ramps, and a beautiful campground. Rainbows up to two pounds. |