"Current fishery data shows that small lake trout are becoming increasingly abundant, which concerns biologists, but may provide ice anglers with some quality fishing opportunities this season. Before you prep your gear and venture onto the ice, here’s an update on the status of lake trout and how anglers can assist in managing this truly remarkable fishery.
"Surveys conducted in the early 2000s showed lake trout abundance radically increasing, while kokanee salmon and rainbow trout abundance were on a declining trend. In Flaming Gorge, lake trout greater than 25 inches primarily feed on kokanee and rainbow trout, stressing the need to maintain good balance between predator/prey.
"In response, both WGFD and UDWR liberalized the lake trout limit toeight lake trout/mackinaw, only one may exceed 28 inchesin 2006. The primary goal of the regulation change was to boost harvest of the more abundant, smaller size classes of lake trout, thereby reducing predation on kokanee salmon and rainbow trout as they grow into fish-eating size."
