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As I draft this monthly article, anglers are casting lines into open water. Fish are likely stacked up in several areas around the lake. The north shore, the state ramp, the county ramp, and the Wild Rose area likely all have their share of angling effort. Meanwhile, the first boat anglers are launching and trying their luck as well. Successful angler pictures are already gracing Facebook.
But with open water also comes the IDFG gillnet effort. This 8–10-day effort will culminate with the most important data gathered on the lake. I mentioned the effort and discussed the same earlier this spring. Yet I didn’t really mention thoughts on what may be results that will constitute an upswing in catch rates.
Understanding that there are multiple factors that impact catch rates, undoubtedly the most significant under normal circumstances are numbers of fish. Over my 14 years at the lake, I found it to be tough angling if the gillnet average fell below 5 or 6 fish per net. Yes, there are always impressive numbers at times throughout the season, but you can expect tougher fishing under those numbers. As has been discussed at length, size is the benefactor with low numbers.
Knowing that the IDFG has a target number of eleven trout per net, I am anxious to hear results from this year’s effort. Have we seen an upswing from several years of poor survival? Except for 2022, the last 5 or 6 years have been less than stellar. Yet the 1-year-old fish can be elusive when netting. We’re hopeful that the 2023-year class suggests decent survival and that question should be answered in a couple of weeks. And it’s possible that the 2024-year class did well also. Although that year class won’t really factor into catch rates until 2026.
I’ve been asked what the HLF is doing to improve angling. We’re always discussing the habitat efforts that are critical to maintain our fishery. As mentioned so many times over the past couple of years, the Targhee project is as substantial of an effort as we’ve been involved in. Yet over the past year, we’ve undertaken another project that will potentially change the way the fishery is managed. The project is underway as we speak, and it involves the most substantial financial commitment the foundation has ever made. Please attend our annual event this summer as we discuss this project. Your foundation leadership along with IDFG staff will be present to announce and discuss this project.
Damon Keen
Vice President
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