Increase the minimum length limit for tiger trout in Deer Creek Reservoir from 14 to 20 inches, while maintaining the bag limit of 2.
Rationale
Tiger trout are a sterile hybrid trout that are stocked in Deer Creek Reservoir to provide species diversity, quality or trophy fish potential, and to take advantage of abundant golden shiner. Anglers have commonly expressed interest in increasing the abundance of larger-sized tiger trout, while maintaining higher harvest rates for stocked rainbow trout.
Growth and survival of tiger trout appear adequate for increasing size structure if harvest were reduced. Modeled population responses indicate that this regulation change could increase abundance of larger tiger trout by 93% relative to those provided by current regulations.
Review the proposal below and submit by June 10, 2024, at 6 p.m. MDT.
After reviewing feedback and considering agency goals, season recommendations will be presented to the Commission for their consideration at the July 2024 meeting.
Proposal
Increase the minimum length limit for tiger trout in Deer Creek Reservoir from 14 to 20 inches, while maintaining the bag limit of 2.
Rationale
Tiger trout are a sterile hybrid trout that are stocked in Deer Creek Reservoir to provide species diversity, quality or trophy fish potential, and to take advantage of abundant golden shiner. Anglers have commonly expressed interest in increasing the abundance of larger-sized tiger trout, while maintaining higher harvest rates for stocked rainbow trout.
Growth and survival of tiger trout appear adequate for increasing size structure if harvest were reduced. Modeled population responses indicate that this regulation change could increase abundance of larger tiger trout by 93% relative to those provided by current regulations.
Review the proposal below and submit by June 10, 2024, at 6 p.m. MDT.
After reviewing feedback and considering agency goals, season recommendations will be presented to the Commission for their consideration at the July 2024 meeting.