Gill net surveys yields big results

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The DWR in the Southeast Region conducted a trend net survey at Huntington North Reservoir and Joe’s Valley Reservoir.
Calvin Black, fisheries biologist with the DWR in Southeast Region said, the Utah Division of Wildlife Southeast Region Aquatics staff completed the annual trend net survey for Huntington North Reservoir.
Biologists found good numbers of rainbow trout, largemouth bass and wipers, but the surprise of the day was the size of the wipers. Two wipers were collected that measured over 20 inches and 5 pounds. Overall the wipers collected ranged from 10.5 to 20.5 inches. Several largemouth bass were collected in the 15 to 19 inch range, weighing between 2.5 and 5 pounds.
Thirteen to 18 inch rainbow trout were abundant in the catch also. The trout fishing should be great from shore and boat over the next few weeks with the warming temperatures. The wiper bite will turn on this weekend with daytime air temps in the mid-eighties. Use crank baits, spinner baits or jigs from the shore or boat along the dam.
At Joe’s Valley Reservoir several age classes of tiger muskie were again collected with the larger fish averaging 37 to 38″ and up to 13-14 pound. Splake of varying sizes were collected, some cutthroat trout, and a six pound tiger trout. The tiger muskie sampled remain an encouraging sign.
“Both fisheries, Joe’s Valley and Huntington North are developing the best we could expect. Larger tiger muskies and wipers are showing up at both, respective, places. This will provide local anglers with some quality fishing opportunities and increased variety without having to travel long distances across the state. Also, 28,000 kokanee salmon fingerlings (2-3″) were stocked into Electric Lake last week. These fish will require a couple of seasons to mature into a catchable size, but anglers have something else to look forward to,” said Justin Hart.