Fishing in northeastern Utah is known for its large lake trout. Unfortunately, that fishing experience is in danger and several agencies are asking anglers to help improve the health of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir fishery. The most important thing is for all anglers to keep the smaller lake trout they catch. Lake trout that is larger then 25 inches feed on Kokanee salmon and rainbow trout but the small lake trout, anything less then 25 inches feed on the same sources as the salmon and rainbow. Ryan Mosley, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resource’s lead fisheries biologist, explains another problem. “In the 1990s, an 8-year-old lake trout was about 30 inches long. Today, an 8-year-old fish is about 23 inches long,” says Mosley. “On top of the decreased length, the number of lake trout in the reservoir has increased dramatically in the last couple of years, and we’re concerned the situation is going to get worse.” With lake trout daily limit increased to 12 (with only one exceeding 28 inches) and the spring bringing the trout close to the shore line, it’s a great time to get out there and fish!
