One of Utah's best trout fisheries opens just in time for Memorial Day

PANGUITCH — A total of 20,000 trout were stocked into Panguitch Lake this morning, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

Located southwest of Panguitch in the Dixie National Forest, Panguitch Lake was treated with rotenone on May 2 to eradicate Utah chubs from its waters.

Spectators watch as Panguitch Lake is restocked
 

Photo by Lynn Chamberlain

Rotenone is a natural fish toxin that is produced in South America. Chubs made up more than 95 percent of the total fish in the lake and are considered a nuisance fish, as they out compete trout for food and space and are not utilized as a sport fish.

"Our aquatic biologists have been monitoring the toxicity of Panguitch Lake since the rotenone was applied earlier this month," says Doug Messerly, regional supervisor for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. "We are very pleased that the lake is now suitable for fish to be returned and that we can reopen it to fishing for the Memorial Day weekend."

On the morning of May 25, 20,000 catchable trout (8 to 10 inches long) were released into the lake. The 20,000 trout should provide enough fish to keep fishing good for some time.

The lake is scheduled to receive more trout as the summer progresses, and fishing at the lake should be great well into the future.

"Panguitch Lake has always been one of Utah's best producing fisheries," says Mike Ottenbacher, regional aquatics manager for the DWR. "These fish that we are planting now will grow rapidly this summer and will weigh in excess of 1 pound to 1.5 pounds by fall.

"Meanwhile, people can enjoy catching them now and take a few home to eat," he said. "It will be good to see Panguitch Lake producing some good fishing again."

Every year thousands of anglers visit Panguitch Lake to take in the natural beauty of the mountain and sample some of the trout that thrive in the lake and the streams that flow into it. The project at Panguitch Lake will ensure that this experience can continue for many years to come.

The lake is open to fishing now, and anglers who have a valid Utah fishing license can catch and keep four trout of any size. Licenses are available online at wildlife.utah.gov and from license agents and DWR offices. Anglers under the age of 14 can fish without a license.

For more information, contact the DWR's Southern Region office at (435) 865-6100.

— Lynn Chamberlain

The complete text of the reopening announcement is below:

Notice of emergency changes to the Utah Fishing Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for the Taking of Fish and Crayfish 2006

I, James Karpowitz, by authority granted in Section 23-14-8 of the Wildlife Resources Code of Utah, declare an emergency amendment to the 2006 Utah Fishing Proclamation. The following has been amended:

Panguitch Lake and Panguitch Lake tributaries (Garfield County): Open to fishing and the lawful taking of fish. For the remainder of the calendar year, the daily bag and possession limit is set a four trout, any species or size. All other regulations established in the 2006 Utah Fishing Proclamation remain in effect for Panguitch Lake and Panguitch Lake tributaries.

This change is effective May 25, 2006, and will remain in effect through December 31, 2006.

The Panguitch Lake and Panguitch Lake Tributaries were treated with rotenone in early May to eliminate Utah chubs. At the time, an emergency change was issued that closed the area to fishing and the possession of fish. All fish were removed during the treatment, including trout. The lake will be restocked with rainbow trout on May 25, 2006, and subsequent stockings will occur throughout the spring and summer of 2006.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

By James F. Karpowitz, Director

Date: May 24, 2006