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Show Fish & Game Notes harbor closed The Provo Boat Harbor at Utah Lake, a favorite fishing spot for northern Utah anglers during the spring walleyerrnir- has been posted off limits to fishermen. High water has forced the closure of the state park there, and put a damper on the fishing. According to Utah Lake State Park superintendent Allan Clayburn, "The level of the lake has made it impossible for us to continue to admit visitors into the park. Because of sewer and power problems brought on by the flooding and our inability to provide visitors with support facilities which could create potential health hazards, our only option is to close the park to all use." Park personnel have blocked the entrance to the park and posted the area to trespass. Boaters are warned to stay out of the harbor area for their own safety. Rangers will be patrolling the park around the clock and anyone violating the closure will be subject to arrest. The tough measures are necessary to insure the safety of recreationists. "I know this is a hard pill to swallow, but for the good of all concerned we must take strong measures," said Clayburn. The park could be closed until the lake level drops sometime in June. Although the park and boat harbor are closed to fishermen, Utah Wildlife Resources spokesman Charlie Thompson of Provo says there are still plenty of good fishing areas for walleye at the lake. "The Provo River above the hajcbor is open to fishing, and some nice walleye are taken there every year. Lincoln Beach, on the south end of the lake, and the area just west of Geneva Steel also offer good walleye fishing," Thompson said. The fisheries biologist said fishermen should be aware of the posted area on the river about two miles above the lake, where wildlife workers take eggs from spawning walleye every year. dikes threatened The Great Salt Lake is within inches of claiming dikes at ' Farmington Bay, and flooding thousands of acres of prime waterfowl habitat with salt water. Farmington Bay, just a few miles north of Salt Lake City, is one of several waterfowl management areas along the Wasatch Front threatened by record high levels of the Great Salt Lake. Al Regenthal, waterfowl program coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, says the flooding could cause several hundred thousand dollars in damage to the state-owned waterfowl areas. "In addition to destroying some dikes, the salt water could kill bullrush and other aquatic vegetation critical to waterfowl," the chief biologist sai4 Dike's at Ogden Bay and Howard Slough are also in danger. High winds have already pushed salt water over the dikes in recent weeks. Wildlife workers at Farmington Bay have placed riprap at critical points, but Regenthal says, if the lake keeps rising at the present rate even that won't help. "If the predicted June level of 4,203 feet is reached, the damage may take years to repair." |