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Show FinpirflDGii Snipers PlaGrfetiL At LaEie Powell i Lake Powell is home for approximately 95.000 more striped bass after a plant in late July by Division of Wildlife Resources biologists. THE F1NGERLING stripers were raised in Division ponds near the Wahweap portion of Lake Powell this summer after being brought to Utah when four days old trom California. S71iis year's plant compares to 50,000 stripers that were ?!( last year. Biologist in charge of the project. Dale iepwonh, notes this year's improved success in raising ad planting the bass due to knowledge gained in culture techniques and planting methods from last year's work. I THE PONDS were built three years ago with federal aid monies provided by the Dingell-Johnson Act to rsearch methods for rearing striped bass. Fish remaining after the experimentation are stocked B "Lake Powell as the first efforts in the division's program of providing a striped bass fishery in the lake. tien suitable techniques are developed, it is anticipated ager introductions will be provided from the Wahweap 'Kility. I I PART OK the experimentation with the fish dealt with stocking rates in the ponds. Two ponds were planted at a rate of 20,000 fish per acre foot; one pond at the rate of 25,000 fish per acre foot; and two ponds at the rate of 50,000 fish per acre foot. "It appears that 20,000 fish per acre foot is adequate in terms of production and survival rates," said Hepworih. "The lower rate was also better economy-wise." IF THIS year's plant does as well as the one made last year, the 22 inchers will be around 13 inches long next ; year at this time. Hepworth reports three nets were placed in the lake the first week in August; and five stripers were nabbed, averaging 13 inches, with the largest lar-gest 14 inches long. "Such a good sampling indicates the fish are staying near the plant site-Wahweap and Warm Creek Bays-and that the survival is good," said Hepworth. "Nine stripers were picked up in nets in June, and fishermen report catching them every week." THE FISH grew from two to 11 inches between July and October of last year. No growth was seen between January and May; but the beginning of June, they have grown two inches and should continue to grow through the fall. |