The areas current weather has been short of usual winter like conditions. According to the Division of Wildlife Resources the warm spring like has contributed to an unusual year of ice fishing for local fisherman.
“This year temperatures seem to deep a little bit below freezing at night but warm up in the 40s or 50s, so that really slows down that ice formation on some of these reservoirs,” said Conservation Outreach Manager, Morgan Jacobsen. “But this year down in the valley it’s been tough, going back and forth between stable and un-stabilized like conditions on some of these waters.” The higher waters located in the Manti LaSal National Forest have shown to be stable thus far.
One of the areas popular ice fishing tournaments that usually takes place in January had to be pushed out to a further date. “Recently Millsite Reservoir is one of those that have been going back and forth, it’s currently unstable here mid-January, but we’re hoping that things will start to freeze up before the ice fishing tournament,” said Jacobsen. The water level at Millsite has been drawn down curing renovation but the fishing is perfect and plentiful due to water level. The lake needs a good solid freeze so that fisherman may get where the fish have congregated to lower waters. Those interested in participating on February 3 may register for the event at www.millsiteonice.com
Any local outdoorsman wishing to hung big game this fall are reminded that the application period for big game hunts will start January 25 and run through till March 1. The hunters that submitted their draw application will see their results by March 31. The DWR has put information for hunters on their website to increase success in the draw.
The rifle hunts this year will be starting by two weeks earlier than in past years in hopes to eliminate the crowdedness of general hunts. The early season will start on October 10 and run through October 14 in specified areas. The areas will be in the Kamas Unit, Nine Mile Unit, Morgan and Rich Unit, Fish Lake and Pine Valley Unit.
Information on how to register for events or apply for hunts may be found on the Division of Wildlife Resources website.