Panguitch Lake opens earlier than expected post-treatment
Just 23 days after treatment to remove the pesky Utah chub, Panguitch Lake was restocked with trout and open for fishing — much sooner than fish biologists had expected.
Original projections, based on the effects of rotenone in cold water, were that fish wouldn't be stocked until Saturday at the soonest, or June 10, which was considered more likely.
"The lake has stratified, however. The lower depths, 45 feet and below, will not hold fish. That's because of the rotenone and the cold water," said Lynn Chamberlain, outreach coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
"The upper levels are warming up, however, and will hold fish. We believe this is where the fish will hold. As the temperatures rise, fish will begin to go deeper."
The lake was treated on May 2 to remove the chubs. Gillnet surveys showed there were roughly 95 chubs to every five trout.
Last Thursday, 20,000 catchable trout were placed in Panguitch and under an emergency opening, fishermen were allowed to fish.
Some 70,000 pounds of rotenone were used at a cost of $250,000. This expense does not include the cost of the 130 DWR officers and biologists on site. The rotenone was mixed with water and then spread over the surface of the lake. Airboats were used to spread the chemical into shallow areas around the lake's shoreline.
"Our aquatic biologists have been monitoring the toxicity of Panguitch Lake since the rotenone was applied earlier this month," reported Doug Messerly, regional supervisor for the DWR. "We are very pleased that the lake is now suitable for fish to be returned and that we can reopen it to fishing for the Memorial Day weekend."
To test the water, sentinel fish were placed in the lake. Their survival signaled biologists that restocking could be done. The restocked trout ranged between eight and 10 inches. The lake is scheduled to receive more than 50,000 catchable fish this summer.
"Panguitch Lake has always been one of Utah's best-producing fisheries," said Mike Ottenbacher, regional aquatics manager. "These fish that we are planting now will grow rapidly this summer and will weigh in excess of 1 to 1 1/2 pounds by fall.
"Meanwhile, people can enjoy catching them now and taking a few home to eat. It will be good to see Panguitch Lake producing some good fishing again."
Along with the catchable trout, the DWR also plans to plant around 200,000 Bear Lake cutthroat along with some tiger trout in the fall. The cutthroat is a predator fish and is being stocked to help control the chubs if and when they return. The cutthroat were also stocked in Strawberry.
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