SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Gephardt Daily) – The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is allowing anglers to catch and keep more fish in six reservoirs and water bodies around the state due to low levels of water due to drought conditions and repair work that will require one. body of water to be drained.

Utah’s DWR released emergency changes to Utah’s fishing regulations Thursday.

“The drought is impacting fish by reducing the amount of water available in lakes, reservoirs and streams across the state,” the statement said. “Small amounts of water heat up faster and warm to higher temperatures, which is problematic for fish species because warm water contains less oxygen than colder water.”

The combination of high temperatures and low oxygen levels can stress fish, leading to poor growth and disease. Sometimes these conditions can even be fatal to fish.

DWR Sportfish coordinator Randy Oplinger commented.

“The best management action we can take in these water bodies is to reduce the number of fish in these waters. This is because when water levels are low, we are more likely to sustain a fishery that has fewer fish than a fishery that has a lot,” he said in the prepared statement. “We try, as much as possible, to continue to provide a good fishing experience for anglers, until we believe that the water levels will reach a critical level.

Drought-related changes

The following changes are effective immediately and will remain in effect until September 30, 2022. Here are the water bodies with new increased daily fish limits:

• Otter Creek Reservoir in Piute County: Increased daily limit to eight trout and six wipers.
• Minersville Reservoir in Beaver County: Increased daily limit to four trout (no size restriction) and three wipers. The restriction on the use of legal bait has also been temporarily removed until September 30.
• Vernon Reservoir in Tooele County: Increased daily limit to eight trout.
• Yuba Reservoir in Juab County: Increased daily limit to a combined total of 20 walleye, broom, trout (all species), tiger muskellunge, northern pike and channel catfish (no size restriction).
• Fairview Lakes in Sanpete County: Increased daily limit to eight trout.

Changes related to infrastructure repairs

Spring Lake is being drained so City of Payson officials can make necessary infrastructure repairs. The daily limit was initially increased on January 13 with an expected end date of March 18. However, as the lake has not yet been drained – and there are still catchable fish – the new daily limit has been extended until July 11 and is now extended. until December 31, 2022.

Anglers must abide by any area closures that may be put in place by the city or construction crews. The pond will be replenished with rainbow trout, channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill and windshield wipers once city employees complete repairs and refill the pond with water.

Here is the fishing limit change for Spring Lake:

• Spring Lake Community Pond in Utah County: Increased the daily sport fishing limit to eight fish. Common carp do not count towards the daily limit.

All other Utah Fishing Guide rules regarding Utah bodies of water have not changed and remain in effect.