Proposed Fishing Changes at Joe's Valley Reservoir

PRICE — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is considering making two changes at Joe's Valley Reservoir starting next year. First, the DWR is considering a regulation change at the reservoir. Currently, the creel limit is two trout, only one over 22 inches, and all trout between 15 and 22 inches must be immediately released.

The DWR is considering a new regulation that would increase the limit back to four fish. Only one fish could be greater than 18 inches. This regulation would allow anglers to harvest a few more fish while still giving protection to the large splake (a brook trout/lake trout hybrid). Splake are being managed in Joe's Valley Reservoir to serve as a biological control for Utah chubs. Current management is producing a trophy splake fishery, but overall abundance of Utah chub appears unchanged.

The still abundant Utah chub population has led to the consideration of the second change at Joe's Valley Reservoir, the addition of tiger musky. The tiger musky is a hybrid cross between the muskellunge and the northern pike. This highly managed reservoir has had two basic management goals over the last 5 years: 1) to increase angler participation and interest in the fishery, and 2) to control the Utah chub through biological and mechanical means.

The DWR believes that tiger musky would aid in achieving both of these goals. Tiger musky have been a popular fish in Utah over recent years and the prey base available in Joe's Valley Reservoir has the potential to create a very attractive trophy fishery for a second species in this water. Information from other waters around the state, such as Johnson Reservoir, indicates that Joe's Valley would be a suitable environment for this species.

Additional predator control is a priority for Joe's Valley Reservoir. The tiger musky is an excellent option for several reasons. The species is sterile and would not over-populate. Additionally, escape of a sterile fish into downstream resources is of little concern. The tiger musky also has the potential to be a superior predator compared to what is currently being used and considered.

Reducing the density of Utah chub in Joe's Valley Reservoir would have numerous benefits. It would allow a more diverse trout community to be developed. Currently, competition between small trout and chubs makes it impossible to stock rainbow, cutthroat, brown, or tiger trout for sport fish purposes. Public perception of this water would increase greatly with a reduced chub population. The DWR believes that with proper predator control a balance could be achieved allowing a trophy splake/tiger musky fishery to be developed and continued, while simultaneously providing a more traditional family fishery with rainbow, cutthroat, or brown trout. This ideal management strategy would be attractive to a diverse group of anglers.

Please share any concerns you may have with these proposed changes with Sport Fisheries Biologist Justin Hart. Justin may be reached at 435-613-3723 or justinhart@utah.gov. Anglers are also invited to attend the Fisheries Informational Regional Advisory Council (RAC) Meeting on May 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River.