Sculpins

[Bduck]

I happened across this bit of information while researching another lake. I never knew these were introduced into Flaming Gorge.



Common Name
BEAR LAKE SCULPIN

Scientific Name
COTTUS EXTENSUS

The Bear Lake sculpin, Cottus extensus, is a small fish that naturally occurs in only one place in the world, Bear Lake, on the Utah - Idaho border. The Bear Lake sculpin has, however, been introduced and become established in Flaming Gorge Reservoir, on the Utah - Wyoming border. The Bear Lake sculpin is listed as a sensitive species by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Like other sculpin species, the Bear Lake sculpin is benthic, spending much of its time on the bottom of the lake. The species eats invertebrate animals and, in turn, is an important food source for cutthroat trout and the introduced lake trout. The Bear Lake sculpin spawns from April to May among rocks close to the shoreline.

 

[Propnut69]

Roger, I did not know the true name of the bear lake sculpin, we always called them bullheads. I do know there is a lake 100 miles to the north of Green River called Middle Piney Lake, and it is over run with them. The lake is full of large lake trout and big Rainbows and Brookies.

 

[Bduck]

Roger, I did not know the true name of the bear lake sculpin, we always called them bullheads. I do know there is a lake 100 miles to the north of Green River called Middle Piney Lake, and it is over run with them. The lake is full of large lake trout and big Rainbows and Brookies.

That sounds like a good lake one would want to check out with big bows & macks.

 

[SuperD]

That sounds like a good lake one would want to check out with big bows & macks.

I was on it like white on rice Roger. Impossible road to get into it and no motorized boats. Don't sell the Bronco if we're going to try and hit it. laugh hyst

 

[Propnut69]

Roger, super D is right the road leaves alot to be desired. But it washed out last year, I have been told the forest service redid the road, and it is alot better now. Yes no motorized boats allowed on the lake, still some good bank fishin though, if nothing else it is a beautiful drive up to the lake, lots of streams below full of brookies.

 

[Bduck]

Some places that ban motorized boats might allow electric trolling motors on. Other than that, canoe power is the only option for trolling. But usually motorize includes all.

 

[Propnut69]

Roger, you can,and I have used electric trolling motors on the lake. It is not overly huge, the last time I used mine I think we made three trips around the lake before my battery ran down. I still had enough juice for the return trip, but I dont think it would have made another one.The outlet of the lake is usually very good fishin, mostly rainbows, sometimes a small mac, always some brookies around. If your intrested let me know, got alot of snow up in the high country this year, I have seen ice on the lake before in july.

 

[Tuna On]

you should try fishing these sculpin for the lake trout. I killed the crap out of lake trout steel lining using sculpin caught out of the Weber River.