I guess now I'll give my inflation adjusted 2 cents on the conclusions of our informal little poll. I'll add a couple more observations as well. I suppose this is the fun part huh?
1. It does seem that there have been fewer large bass caught this year. Why? Cliff obviously suggests that harvest is the cause. It's possible, but I'm not so sure. There could be multiple causes, including the water levels, improved perch spawning this year, a natural die off, and more possibilities. We may get them again next year. One thing I looked at closely this year is how fat the bass are. I found the 16-18ers were quite fat and in good shape. Unless they are all harvested, they will be 19-20ers next year. I found that most of the fish I have caught at all classes were fairly fat and in good shape.
2. Our survey did not seem to indicate slower fishing. We are still getting them there in good numbers. There is disagreement on how many better ones there are, but there are still plenty of fish in the system that are being caught.
3. I am relieved to hear you guys found some perch this year. TD mentioned the perch die offs. The first one was actually in 2005.
http://www.bigfishtackle.com/...?post=202722;#202722 There have been one or two since and generally I do feel they have slowly declined generally from former abundance.
I do believe that a declining perch population has contributed to the declining number of trophies. However, it would be hoped that the higher water this year will help the perchkind. At least we can hope.
4. The question that this thread is undoubtedly about is if the new regs are harming the fishing. I will agree with Utwalleye that it is too early to tell. The next few years, will be telling though, especially if we have improving perch and water conditions. (full disclosure, I did not favor the change, still don't)
5. How many big fish got harvested this year? Well, no records have apparently been caught and published in the papers. I haven't seen very much harvest of big or little fish when I have been fishing. Nobody is putting pics of dead 20's up on BFT or other sites.
Bassrods wrote
" and the count by one of the DWR people that checked about 60 to 90 bass over 20" was removed by spear alone.. "
Interesting, a report I received (admittedly secondhand) from a DWR guy was that they have checked
almost no very big ones. One 19 incher was speared and checked and the message boards went afire here. Where are the pics of all the 20's? Cliff, do you have a name of who you talked to that told you this? This isn't another "DWR put in the crayfish at Jordanelle"/"smallies at East canyon", is it?
Anyway, happy fishing all and It'll be fun to have this conversation next year after a full year of improved water depth at Jordanelle.
I caught you a delicious bass.