The "changes" I referred to are the mentioned in the link I attached a while back. Maybe you didn't read it. Just in case you didn't, I'll quote it here.
""Kokanee are so productive at Deadwood, there are just too many," said Kozfkay. "A benefit of the large egg take is it reduces kokanee numbers, which in turn helps increase the average size of the adult, providing a bigger fish for the angler."
But as fish managers know, kokanee can be a tricky fish to manage. The populations respond quickly to changes and can decline as quickly as they can increase.
Every year, Idaho Fish and Game fisheries staff monitor fish populations and make-up of the reservoir. Kokanee are hauled in, measured, and weighed. The data feeds a population model to help biologists determine the number of kokanee in the reservoir. They also keep track of other types of fish in the system.
"Right now, the goal for the Deadwood kokanee fishery is bigger fish." said Kozfkay.
To achieve this goal, fish managers cautiously work to reduce the number of kokanee in the reservoir to allow for the remaining fish to have more food and grow to 13-inches, the most desired length by anglers.""
I did run some quick numbers and based off the link I previously attached, I'm starting to be swayed that you might be right and that it might be getting over harvested.
Here is just a quick run down of my own personal observations and pulling a few things out of dark places that may or may not be correct.
Fish and Game quoted that somewhere around 150,000 or so fish (I could be off by a few thousand) ran into their trap in 2014. Assume that is fairly normal. Roughly 60 good fishing days (June 1 or so, until the fish begin to change around the end of July). My own personal observation of the number of boats I see on the lake during the week and on weekend days along with my own catch rates and word of mouth catch rates from what others have told me. Putting it all together...................
Roughly 40 or less boats per day, times 60 days or so. The most fish I know of coming off the lake in a single boat in a single day = 40, but I could concede that the number could be twice that (80). So: 40x60x80=192,000.
Now I think my numbers are WAY over exaggerated, BUT..... If 150,000 spawners are normal and we harvest 192,000 fish in the 60 days of good fishing at DW, then I surely agree. It is probably over harvested...... Even at half of my estimations (which seems like a more realistic number to me) 96,000 fish harvested would be huge and could possibly be a problem. I hope I am WAY OFF.
I wonder if fish and game is considering tightening up the limits at all?
Peace out.......
