Fishing Help Needed January 25 at Yuba Reservoir

The DWR has selected the 25th of Jan. to try and collect the remaining 37 fish (perch or pike) from Yuba necessary to complete the disease certification process. After testing, if these fish prove to be disease free we will be allowed to collect Northern Pike eggs later this spring to aid in the statewide Tiger Muskie Program. As you can see below (fishing info from Jeff Rasmussen Yuba Park Manager) fishing may be a little difficult but I figure if we can get enough people on the ice, especially many of you who really know how to fish, we should be able to catch the fish we need.


We will plan on arriving at the Painted Rocks boat ramp (east side of Yuba south of Levan) at 8:30 am on Tuesday Jan. 25th. Please come and go as you would like. I will have a cooler there to collect any fish caught to meet our quota. I will provide drinks, hot choc. and snacks for anyone who comes to help. I recommend people bring whatever fishing equipment you feel is needed (primarily fishing for perch). We will have a power auger provide by the Strawberry biologists for anyone to use but again feel free to bring whatever you would like. We will plan on fishing until 2-3pm or until we collect enough fish whichever comes first but again feel free to come and stay as long as you would like.

Again, we would love to have as many participate as possible so please pass this email/information on to any of your contacts or people you think might have an interest in this fun outing, we would love the help! Please contact me if you have any questions and it would help me get an idea of how many people will be coming. Thanks in advance for you help with the DWR Tiger Muskie Program! Look forward to seeing you on the ice:)

The ice thickness currently sits at 5-7 inches. There have been very few people out fishing. I talked to a guy this morning at Painted Rocks who caught four good sized Perch in 4 hours. Another group yesterday caught 1 perch near Oasis Campground in about 4 hours. There have been a few who have been skunked. If you are going to do it I think the sooner the better. Its usually best the first few weeks we have ice.

Mike Slater
Regional Aquatic Program Manager
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
1115 N. Main
Springville, UT 84663
e-mail: michaelslater@utah.gov
801-491-5651

June – August 1 Fremont Indian State Park and Museum - Sevier
Art Exhibit: Enjoy watercolor paintings by Trina Strong on display in the Sagebrush Art Gallery. (435) 527-4631


June 26 Yuba State Park - Levan
Yuba Treasure Hunt: Join Yuba State Park staff for a global positioning system (GPS) treasure hunt at 3 p.m. at the Oasis day-use pavilion. (435) 758-2611


June 30 Escalante Petrified Forest State Park - Escalante
Bird Watching: Enjoy an easy stroll around the park and learn to identify birds by sight and sound. Binoculars and field guides are provided. Meet at the visitor center at 8:30 a.m. (435) 826-4466


July 2 – 3 Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum - Fillmore
Independence Day Activities: On July 2, enjoy a children's parade and activities beginning at 6 p.m. followed by a game of Rounders at 7 p.m., and end the evening with a youth pioneer dance from 9 to 11 p.m. On July 3, celebrate all day with food, games, entertainment and activities. (435) 743- 5316


July 2 Anasazi State Park Museum - Boulder
Why Cowboys Sing - Music Rooted in the Land and Work of Utah: Join folklorist Hal Cannon at 7 p.m. for a discussion on the Utah musical experience, listen to recordings and songs, and watch a short film he co-produced. (435) 335-7308


July 3 Rock Cliff Nature Center/ Jordanelle State Park – Francis
Junior Ranger Program - Daytime Moon: Children six to 10 are invited to join the park naturalist at 11 a.m. to learn why the moon is up in the daytime. Children earn a badge and certificate. Rock Cliff is located on the southeast end of the reservoir. (435) 782-3030


July 3 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
Huber Grove History Tour: Tour historic Huber Grove from 10 to 11 a.m. Visit this beautiful, peaceful area and learn about the Huber family and the Mormon west. Tour is free and open to all. (435) 654-1791


July 3 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
Owls – Nature’s Super-Duper Mouse Trap: Join the park naturalist as we discover one of nature’s most state-of-the-art hunters. We'll discuss owl adaptations, and then go on a short owl prowl to try and locate these masters of the night. Program begins at 8:30 p.m. at the campground amphitheater. (435) 654-1791


July 3 Yuba State Park – Levan
Fire Safety: Join us at 6 p.m. at the Oasis day-use pavilion for a program on fire safety. Learn tips on how to be safe around campfires and fireworks. (435) 758-2611

Boat Rentals available at Yuba State Park

Levan – Yuba State Park now offers boat, personal watercraft and off-highway vehicle rentals through Sequoia Motorsports. This concession service offers daily rentals, camping and boating supplies, and food served from the grill.

Yuba State Park offers boat-in camping, sandy beaches, off-highway vehicle riding, and warm waters for boating. Overnight camping is available in both developed and primitive sites. Reservations are available online at http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/ or by calling (801) 322-3770 within the Salt Lake calling area or toll free at (800) 322-3770.

Yuba State Park and Sequoia Motorsports are located 25 miles south of Nephi at exit 202 off I-15. For more information, please call (435) 758-2611.

Campsites still available for Memorial Day Weekend

Salt Lake City – With Memorial Day Weekend fast approaching, it’s not too late to reserve a campsite at a Utah state park. The following parks have campsites available for the big weekend, but are filling quickly: Bear Lake, Deer Creek, Rock Cliff at Jordanelle, Scofield, Starvation, Utah Lake, Wasatch Mountain, and Yuba.

To make a reservation or for more information, please call (801) 322-3770 from within the Salt Lake calling area and (800) 322-3770 from outside the area or visit http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/ .

Upcoming State Park Events

Yuba Reservoir, Photo Courtesy Utah State Parks

May 29 Yuba State Park - Levan
Learn All About Litter: Join us at 5:30 p.m. to learn about litter, how long it takes to decompose, and what you can do to help recycle. (435) 758-2611

June 1 Dead Horse Point State Park - Moab
Incredible Insects: Join us for a program about the insects living at Dead Horse Point State Park. Meet at the visitor center amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. After the presentation, explore the desert and see what kinds of insects you can find! (435) 259-2614

June 1 - July 15 Anasazi State Park Museum - Boulder
New Harmonies - Celebrating American Roots Music: Enjoy this Smithsonian traveling exhibit and regular exhibits at the museum. (435) 335-7308

June 2 Frontier Homestead State Park Museum - Cedar City
Hands-On-History - What is a Pioneer? Join us at 10:30 a.m. to learn about early pioneer life. This program is designed for children six to 11 years old and pre-registration is required. (435) 586-9290

June 4 Dead Horse Point State Park - Moab
Desert Ethics: Join us for a program about minimum impact camping and hiking in this fragile desert environment. Meet at the visitor center amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. (435) 259-2614

June 5 Antelope Island State Park - Syracuse
Junior Ranger Program: How do farm engines work? Join us at 2 p.m. to learn about historic engines and tractors. Meet at the Fielding Garr Ranch. Though this program is geared for children six to 12, everyone is welcome. (801) 649-5742

June 5 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
National Trails Day: Join park staff and volunteers to build a new trail in the Pine Creek Campground connecting the overflow parking to the Nature Trail. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Pine Creek Campground. Bring gloves, water, and snacks. Tools are provided. (435) 654-1791

June 5 - August 1 Fremont Indian State Park and Museum - Sevier
Sagebrush Art Gallery - Watercolors and Navajo Pottery: Enjoy the artwork of artists Rodney John and Trina Strong. Meet the artists at a reception June 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. The artists' works are available for sale. (435) 527-4631

June 5 Snow Canyon State Park - Ivins
Nature Sketching: Explore the fun of nature sketching at 9 a.m. on this 1.5-mile, roundtrip hike! (Previous art experience not necessary). Program registration is held the two days prior to the event. (435) 628-2255

June 5 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
Free Fishing Day: Children up to the age of 14 are invited to join park staff and Division of Wildlife Resources volunteers at the visitor center pond from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a day of fishing, fun, and prizes. Space is limited and registration is required. (435) 654-1791

June 5 Fremont Indian State Park and Museum - Sevier
Day Camp for People with Disabilities: Join park staff for a fun-filled, educational experience including hiking, crafts, stories, and games teaching campers about the natural and cultural history of Clear Creek Canyon. Activities run concurrently throughout the day for a variety of ability levels. Pre-registration is required. (435) 527-4631

Catch Big Pike at Yuba

Nephi -- Want to know what it feels like to catch a fish that’s more than three feet long and weighs almost 20 pounds?
You might find out if you grab your fishing gear—including a foot or two of metal leader—and head to Yuba Reservoir in the next few months.

On April 14, Division of Wildlife Resources biologists were conducting gillnet surveys at this reservoir in central Utah. What they found when they pulled one of the nets out of the water took their breath away.

Inside was a huge northern pike. The fish was more than 43 inches long and weighed over 17 pounds.

That puts this pike close to the current Utah state record. The current record was caught at Yuba in 2002 by Henry Fenning. That pike weighed 25 pounds and was 43½ inches long.

The official Utah “catch-and-release” northern pike record is a 49¾-inch fish caught by Logan Hacking at Lake Powell in 1998.

Hacking’s fish was not weighed.


Not the only big pike!
The huge pike biologists caught and placed back in the reservoir on April 14 isn’t the only big pike biologists have caught at Yuba during gillnet surveys this spring. Other big and healthy pike—and big and healthy walleye—have been caught at the reservoir too.

Biologists conduct gillnet surveys by setting nets in the reservoir for an hour or two and then pulling the nets back to the surface. After measuring and weighing the fish, the fish are released back into the water.

Tips
May and June are usually the best months to catch northern pike and walleye at Yuba. To catch pike, DWR biologists suggest the following:

- Fish in water that’s five feet or less deep. Fishing from the shore works great!

- Use lures that imitate minnows. These lures include plugs (crank baits), jigs and spoons.

- Tie a foot or two of metal leader between your fishing line and your lure. Northern pike have sharp teeth. Using metal leader is a good way to keep the pike from biting through your line!

Getting there
Yuba Reservoir is just off I-15, about 30 miles south of Nephi in central Utah. For more information about fishing at the reservoir, call the DWR’s Central Region office at (801) 491-5678. Updated fishing reports for Yuba are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/reports.php .