2016 Game and Fish Department – Cody Region BighornBighorn BasinBasin Angler News

Looking Forward to Another Great Year - Sam Hochhalter

Inside this issue: Since it’s inception in 1921, eted approaches to managing Cody Region. From monitoring the Wyoming Game and Fish fish populations more pro- fish populations, evaluating re- Beck Lake Complex Update 2 Commission has been commit- nounced. stored populations of native ted to conserving wildlife and species, implementing habitat While a lot has changed one Walleye Tagging 2 serving people. restoration projects, and reno- thing remains the same, our vating bass ponds, a lot was Over the years the Game and commitment to conserving wild- accomplished in 2015 and more Shovelnose Sturgeon Update 3 Fish fish management pro- life and serving people. As fish is planned for 2016. gram has evolved and diversi- biologists for Wyoming, we South Fork Shoshone Update 4 fied. During the early days strive to provide quality angling As steward’s of your fishery re- much of our management opportunities and to conserve sources, we value your input and Dead Indian Creek Cutthroats 4 efforts focused on stocking the native aquatic wildlife of the hearing about your fishing ex- fish and maximizing yield or region. Balancing these two periences. For those of you that New Aquatic Habitat Biologist 5 harvest of fish. Managing for objectives can be a challenge at have taken time out of your trophy potential, diverse an- times. schedule to come into the Game gling opportunities, and native and Fish office to chat, give us a Problematic Culverts in 5 The surveys and projects high- species was not as common phone call, or show up at one of lighted in this newsletter are a as it is today. our public meetings I sincerely Restoration on Medicine 6 testament to our commitment thank you and look forward to Lodge Creek Over the years fishery manage- to provide quality angling oppor- chatting again. For those of you ment has become more com- tunities and to conserve the we have not heard from, please Clarks Fork River Update 6 plex and the need for multifac- native aquatic wildlife of the know our doors are always open. Kids Fishing Days 7 We would like to hear from you.

Invasive Species Regional 8

A Fresh Start for Renner 9

Egg Basket Survey on Bighorn 9

Contact Us 10

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Bighorn Basin Angler News Volume 19 Page 1 2016 Wyoming Game and Fish Department — Cody Region

Beck Lake Recreation Area Offers a Mixed Bag for Anglers of All Ages - - Jason Burckhardt

Beck Lake Recreation offers an- have a handicapped accessible most commonly caught fish in gling opportunities right within covered fishing station. both Markham and New Cody “Beck Lake the City of Cody. The three lakes reservoirs. The Yellow Perch Markham and New Cody reser- within the Beck Lake Recreation captured were generally small, Recreation Area voirs are annually stocked with area are Beck Lake, and Mark- averaging around six inches catchable sized trout (8-12 ham and New Cody Reservoirs. long. Recently stocked catch- offers a variety of inch) and also have populations Beck Lake can be accessed from able trout were also commonly of Yellow Perch. Beck Lake is Beck Lake Park, just south of the captured in both Markham and angling stocked with catchable and lake or from highway 14-16-20. New Cody reservoirs. “brood cull” trout as well as A primitive boat ramp is available opportunities for with Channel Catfish. There are Catchable sized trout were also on the northern end of Beck Largemouth Bass, Black and common in Beck Lake averag- Lake, adjacent to the Veterans all ages of White Crappie, and Yellow ing ten inches. Brood cull Yel- Memorial Park, but the use of Perch available in Beck Lake. lowstone Cutthroat Trout were internal combustion engines is anglers.” also common and averaged prohibited. Markham and New All three of these lakes were 17.9 inches. Similar to Mark- Cody reservoirs are just south of sampled in 2015 to determine ham and New Cody reservoirs, Beck Lake within Beck Lake Park the status of the fisheries. the Yellow Perch in Beck Lake and have pedestrian access Small Yellow Perch were the were abundant, but small, aver- around their perimeters and also aging around 6 inches long. The stocked Channel Catfish were doing well, averaging 17 inches and nearly two pounds. The most abundant fish cap- tured in Beck lake in 2015 were the crappie (both White Crappie and Black Crappie), however the average length of these fish was only 6.3 inches long , with few crappie over 7 inches being captured. The abundant year class of crappie should provide for some great fishing, and eat- ing, in 2016. Beck Lake promises to offer similar angling opportunities in Channel Catfish are stocked 2016, with lots of fish including into Beck Lake to provide The Beck Lake Recreation Area waters provide anglers of all ages a the occasional large one. greater diversity. diverse angling experience.

Walleye Tagging Project in Buffalo Bill Reservoir– Jason Burckhardt We are asking anglers who catch walleye captured. walleye in Buffalo Bill Reservoir to Tags are yellow, orange or white and participate in a new study by return- are attached to the side of the fish ing information on tagged fish they below the dorsal fin. Several fish will catch. A monetary reward is offered have multiple tags, though each fish on some tags for reporting the infor- will have only one reward tag. If you mation. catch a tagged walleye please give The fish management crew has us a call at 307-527-7125 or the already tagged nearly 500 walleye phone number provided on the this spring with plans to tag up to tag. To receive the monetary re- 700 walleye in the reservoir. Re- ward, anglers must submit the re- ward tags to the Cody Game and ward tags valued at $10 or $100 Fish office. Anglers are also re- have been deployed and anglers minded that all walleye caught out Up to 700 walleye will be tagged in Buffalo Bill Reservoir, including sev- encouraged to report any tagged of Buffalo Bill must be killed. eral hundred with $10 or $100 reward tags. Please report the capture of tagged walleye by giving us a call (307) 527-7125

Bighorn Basin Angler News Volume 19 Page 2 2016 Wyoming Game and Fish Department — Cody Region

Shovelnose Sturgeon in the — Update - Joe Skorupski Starting in 2015, a project signal. Fish were tagged in through the winter months. was initiated to determine if the spring and tracked The figure on the right dis- shovelnose sturgeon should through the fall, identifying plays these patterns show- continue to be stocked in two definitive spawning ing where fish over- the Bighorn River. Larval sites and one potential wintered. and juvenile sturgeon have spawning site. Success! So what does it all mean? been stocked in the Bighorn Well, sort of. Although It is much too early in the and Nowood rivers over the spawning is occurring, it project to draw any defini- past 20 years. Angler re- doesn’t mean the spawning tive conclusions, but we ports and Cody fish man- is successful. The success have determined a few agement sampling efforts or failure of spawning stur- things. Shovelnose are confirm that sturgeon are geon is very dependent on spawning in the river and surviving to adulthood; how- several key environmental some fish are utilizing the ever, the potential for this variables. After spawning, riverine habitat throughout population to sustain itself eggs hatch in just a couple the entire year, not just for without supplemental of days and the embryos spawning purposes. stocking remains unknown. begin drifting downstream. How far embryos drift de- Future field work will focus The goal of this project is to pends on water tempera- on tagging and tracking determine whether natural ture and velocity. If they do additional fish, conducting reproduction is occurring in not develop into larvae be- more intensive larval drift the Bighorn and Nowood fore they reach the reser- sampling at several loca- rivers. The first objective is voir the embryos will perish. tions, and collecting data to to identify potential spawn- The confirmed spawning model drift dynamics of ing sites and seasonal habi- sites may not be far enough embryonic sturgeon across tat use of adult sturgeon. upstream to prevent this a range of discharges. Also, Prior to initiating this study, from happening. all shovelnose will be fitted we expected sturgeon to with an orange Floy tag for move from Bighorn Reser- Some unexpected move- long-term monitoring. If an voir during spring, spawn in ment patterns or lack of angler captures a tagged the river during late June movement were observed. fish, call the phone number and migrate back to the While some fish displayed and report the tag number, reservoir by fall for the win- the expected seasonal Map displaying movement and spawning activity. capture location, length and ter months. Last spring we movement pattern, a large Red triangle is spawning site, orange is a potential weight. This information initiated a multi-year te- proportion never left the spawning site and green are over-wintering areas. will be very beneficial in lemetry project where we lower Bighorn in the spring Arrows indicate movement from spring to fall. helping us understand and began tagging fish and and summer, and many manage this species. tracking them using a radio remained higher in the river

Shovelnose sturgeon recently inserted with an orange Floy tag for long-term monitoring. If captured, anglers are encouraged to call the 800 phone number that is on the tag and reportithe four digit tag number (e.g., WGFD 8016), capture location, length and weight.

Bighorn Basin Angler News Volume 19 Page 3 2016 Wyoming Game and Fish Department — Cody Region

The South Fork Shoshone Rebounds from Debris Flow of 2007 – Jason Burckhardt

The South Fork Shoshone is an trout per mile (measured in are still fewer trout present in the “The South Fork often overlooked fishery due in 2006) to 169 trout per mile South Fork than 2006, the trout Shoshone has large part to the private land (measured in 2008). We sam- that are present are much larger through which it flows. There pled the population in 2015 and and the pounds of trout per mile is rebounded from are, however, a few access found the trout population is the highest that has been recorded sites that are available to wade rebounding with an estimated on the South Fork. the debris flow of anglers or those with small 599 trout per mile. While there 2007 and now has watercraft willing to float be- tween access sites. more pounds of The South Fork Shoshone is trout per mile than managed as a wild sport fishery with Brown Trout and Mountain has been recorded Whitefish being the two primary on this water.” sport fish. A few Rainbow Trout and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout are also present. A large mud slide/debris flow occurred in 2007 that reduced the trout population from 772

1000 800 700 800 600 Debris 600 500 flow BNT 400 400 RBT 300 Trout per mi per Trout 200 200 Pounds of trout permi 100 0 0 2006 2008 2015 Year 2006 2008 2015 Year Number of Brown Trout (BNT) and Rainbow Trout (RBT) per mile with Pounds of trout per mile with 95% confidence intervals measured on the lower 95% confidence intervals measured on the lower South Fork Shoshone South Fork in 2006, 2008 and 2015. River in 2006, 2008 and 2015.

Yellowstone Cutthroats Doing Well in Dead Indian Creek– Jason Burckhardt

In 2009 and 2010 WGFD used the is growing in Dead Indian Creek. chemical rotenone to remove the Approximately half of the sampled population of rainbow-cutthroat fish were “wild” which likely drifted hybrids in a nine mile reach of Dead downstream from the upstream Indian Creek. The creek was re- population, in the vicinity of Dead stocked with genetically pure Yel- Indian Meadows. The cutthroat lowstone Cutthroat Trout in 2011 sampled averaged 9.5 inches, through 2013. All trout stocked though a few fish over 13 inches were marked to distinguish them were captured. Dead Indian Creek from fish spawned in the stream. now provides anglers an opportunity Sampling in 2015 found that the to catch our native Yellowstone Dead Indian Creek now provides anglers an opportunity to catch some population of Yellowstone Cutthroat Cutthroat Trout. of our native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout.

Bighorn Basin Angler News Volume 19 Page 4 2016 Wyoming Game and Fish Department — Cody Region

Cody’s New Aquatic Habitat Biologist – Laura Burckhardt

The Cody Region has a new Aquatic Laura often works with landowners, Habitat Biologist. Prior to Laura Burck- agencies, and the public to protect hardt starting in May of 2015, the healthy stream and riparian habitats by position had been vacant in Cody for applying proven methods to restore and eight years. Laura is a Wyoming na- prevent further impacts. tive with expertise in warm and cold- Laura provides recommendations on water fisheries habitats, stream techniques that can be used to restore health, and working with partners to Bank stabilization project on Eaglenest Creek with The streams that have been impacted by prevent unnatural stream erosion Nature Conservancy and Disabled Hunters bank erosion, improperly designed road while preserving important habitats for crossing, loss of riparian vegetation, to fish and wildlife. name a few. Teaching kids As an aquatic habitat biologist, Laura also identifies, designs and im- about the im- Laura’s role is to conserve and en- plements stream and riparian habitat portance of riparian vegeta- hance stream and riparian habitats. restoration projects in areas where tion To ensure that aquatic habitats are these habitats are degraded and un- able to properly function and support able to stabilize naturally. our fish and wildlife resources.

A Tale of Six Culverts on Ten Sleep Creek – Laura Burckhardt

The Wigwam road is a Wyoming spanning approximately 60•feet, $100,000 on maintaining these “Wyoming Game Game and Fish Commission located on the main channel of crossing and preventing washouts. owned, high public use access Tensleep Creek. In addition, the Wyoming Depart- and Fish to road to the Wigwam Rearing Sta- ment of Transportation spent tion, public fishing access, and The road crossings are not prop- $100,783 to repair Highway 16 construct a new Tensleep Game Warden station. erly designed to pass flow, sedi- after the 2011 flood. The access road is located on a ment and debris during annual bridge across split flow channel of Tensleep high water events. As a result, After careful consideration of Ten Sleep Creek” Creek. The access road has a erosion, sediment deposition, stream channel, stream flow, the series of six culverts, spanning and debris jams have resulted in history of the structures, and costs approximately 30•feet, located on numerous flooding and safety of conceptual design options the a side channel and a bridge, concerns since the 1980s. The Wyoming Game and Fish has de- most significant event occurred cided that the best option is to con- in 2011 when department staff struct a new access road and bridge were stranded as a result of a downstream of the current bridge severe debris jam and washout location. The current road, culverts, of the access road and Highway and bridge will be removed and fully 16. To date, The Wyoming Game reclaimed. Project design will begin and Fish has spent more than in the summer of 2016 with con- struction planned for 2017.

The problem: four 5-foot wide and two 3-foot wide culverts

The Flood of 2011: washed out Wigwam road and High- way 16

Bighorn Basin Angler News Volume 19 Page 5 2016 Wyoming Game and Fish Department — Cody Region

Medicine Lodge Creek Stream Restoration - Laura Burckhardt

Medicine Lodge Creek, In 1981, the Wyoming State Parks Department, from the State Park Head- Game and Fish Depart- the Wyoming Game and quarters downstream to ment conducted a stream Fish Department proposes the end of the Wildlife restoration project de- to repair the channel deg- Habitat Management Area signed to fix some of the radation across 0.8 miles (WHMA), has experienced bank erosion and move of stream. A new bridge significant bank erosion the stream back into its will be constructed, year• and channel movement original channel. This sta- round fish passage will be from human caused deg- bilization work was tempo- available at both radation over the last 40 rarily successful from diverisons, and a stable The Anthony Diversion is a 7-foot tall fish barrier years. Over 25 dump truck 1980 through 1993. How- stream channel will be loads of sediment are ever, since 1994 the constructed which allows leaving this section of stream channel has con- for sediment transport, stream each year as a tinued to erode, becoming floodplain connectivity and result of this bank erosion. over widened, and aban- fisheries habitat. The pro- don its historic channel ject will also provide an In the 1970s, the Wyo- footprint, eroding further outstanding fishing access ming Game and Fish De- into the irrigated field on area for the public includ- partment documented the WHMA. ing children and handi- The Bridge has 18-inches of clearance under it that the majority of the capped individuals. A new stream habitat damage The channel is currently bridge is currently under had been caused by in- over widened and shallow design. Stream channel stream bulldozer work at with steep eroding banks restoration design will be the two irrigation diver- and very little fish habitat. in 2016 and construction sions. Prior to the property In addition, the upstream could occur as early as becoming a WHMA, the diversion is a complete 2017. stream was scraped and fish passage barrier. channelized at both diver- In coordination with the sion dams. Example of bank erosion—bank is 6-feet tall

Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River offers few but large trout- Jason Burckhardt and the harsh conditions during winter The Clarks Fork Yellowstone rainbow and cutthroat have populations were down from months. While the abundance of trout in the River is a scenic destination been stocked in the Clarks 334 rainbows per mile and Clarks Fork is relatively low compared to the for wade and float anglers Fork to supplement the wild 166 cutthroat per mile in other large river fisheries in the Cody Re- alike and has a following fishery. 1998 to 143 rainbows per gion, the presence of large Brown Trout among local anglers. The mile and 76 cutthroat per A population estimate was (greater than 24 inches long) and great lower Clarks Fork, below the mile in 2015. canyon, generally has a conducted on the lower scenery make it a local favorite. wide shallow channel – not Clarks Fork from the rock So how does the Clarks Fork the best trout habitat. In- structures to Beartooth stack up against some of the stream structures were Ranch in July of 2015. We other popular trout waters in installed in the 1980s and found 413 trout per mile the Cody Region? The Clarks modified through the and 329 pounds of trout per Fork has fewer trout per mile 1990s in an attempt to mile in this section of the than the other larger narrow the channel and Clarks Fork. Wild BNT were (floatable) rivers. In compari- provide more suitable trout the most abundant trout in son, the North Fork Sho- habitat. Despite this effort, the Clarks Fork, followed by shone typically has around the density of trout is gener- rainbow and cutthroat, many 700 to 1,000 trout per mile, of which were of hatchery and the South Fork Sho- ally low in the lower Clarks 25 origin. The only other popu- shone has 600 to 750 trout YSC (N=87) Fork. Annual stream flow RBT (n=78) lation that we have con- per mile. The two large tail- 20 variation is great and winter BNT (n=291) ducted on this section of waters (below dams), the baseflow conditions are 15 low. Additionally, the for- water was in 1998 when we Bighorn River and Shoshone estimated the abundance of River, have about 3,000 and mation of frazzle and an- 10 chor ice is common in this brown trout to be around 94 1,500 trout per mile respec-

fish per mile. In 2015, we catch . of Percent reach of the Clarks Fork, tively. 5 estimated Brown Trout abun- which creates harsh condi- The relatively low density of dance to be around 193 per 0 tions for trout during winter trout in the Clarks Fork is 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 months. For the last sev- mile; more than double the Length 1998 estimate. Both the likely due to the limited eral decades, catchable amount of quality habitat The length frequency of Yellowstone Cutthroat (YSC) rainbow and cutthroat trout Rainbow (RBT) and Brown Trout (BNT) caught in the Clarks Fork Yellowstone River below the canyon 2015

Bighorn Basin Angler News Volume 19 Page 6 2016 Wyoming Game and Fish Department — Cody Region

“These events provide Partners work together to get communities “hooked on fishing”- Tara Hodges a great opportunity for local area youth and Each year, various community their families to spend organizations, individuals and agencies come together to host the day outdoors Kids Fishing Day events across learning about the the Bighorn Basin. These events provide a great opportu- sport of fishing.” nity for local area youth and their families to spend the day outdoors learning about the Kids Fishing Days sport of fishing. Bob Capron of Cody, an active member of the East Yellow- CODY stone Chapter of Trout Unlim- ited has been assisting with June 4, 2016 Kids Fishing Day in Cody for A Cody area Kids Fishing Day participant with his first catch! Beck Lake Complex nearly 15 years. At the Cody event, Trout Unlimited, Sho- “It’s rewarding to take a little shone National Forest and and Rescue provide educa- kid who has never had fishing Game and Fish provide a tional activities. pole in their hands and teach BASIN hands-on learning experience them how to cast,” Capron for youth while introducing fun- In July, the Bighorn National June 4, 2016 said. damental skills of fishing in- Forest hosts a kids fishing day Raw Water Pond cluding knot tying, how to cast In 2013, after a nine year lapse in at Porcupine Ranger Station and how to properly release a in having a community fishing Pond outside of Lovell. The fish. Sir Optimists of Cody then event in Basin, Dani Chapman has LOVELL host a free hot dog lunch and and Jason Lampman single hosted the event for well over July 9, 2016 sponsor a fishing derby at Beck handedly revived the Basin 10 years. “It is an opportunity Lake afterwards. Capron usu- Community Fishing Day. The to introduce young anglers to a Porcupine Ranger ally helps kids learn how to cast couple has organized the event lifelong outdoor sport,” said Station Pond spin rods during the pre-fishing since that time. “The local Bighorn National Forest Service educational activities in Cody. fishing day is a day when those Wildlife Biologist Beth Bischoff. who don’t know how or those Capron and other Trout Unlim- who need direction, can come ited members also volunteer at and fish for the day and learn a this event helping kids learn to few life skills that they other- fish and weigh and measure wise would never learn. their catches. Each year, Ten It’s also for the parents; it Sleep Fish Hatchery stocks the makes them feel more comfort- pond the day before the event able and brings them in touch to give young anglers the best with resources they didn't know opportunity to catch a fish. were out there,” Chapman said. Bischoff says she appreciates “I love to see the community come together and our commu- the partnerships with Game nity really is generous. The and Fish and Trout Unlimited pharmacy donates sunscreen that make the annual event so for the event, the stores donate successful. food for the provided Did you know? lunch, then with the monetary donations, I am able to buy Last year, Game and Fish prizes, like life jackets and stocked tens of thousands of tackle boxes that we draw for fish in waters prior to kids fish- throughout the day.” In addi- ing day events to increase op- Fisheries Biologist Jason Burckhardt shows Kids Fishing Day partici- tion, the Eagles cook lunch, portunities for young anglers. pants in Cody how to properly release a fish. and Game and Fish and Search

Bighorn Basin Angler News Volume 19 Page 7 2016 Wyoming Game and Fish Department — Cody Region

Cody Region Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Update - Greg Mayton

This year, boaters can now use an had high risk water on board that near Cody WY and Deaver Res- electronic receipt as proof of an could have been transporting AIS. ervoir near Deaver WY. It is If you transport AIS decal purchase. This should A total of 1,298 watercraft re- more critical now than ever that allow boaters to more easily pur- quired decontamination to remove as an angler or boater you do a boat into chase the required decal by using water or suspect AIS. During the your part in stopping the spread smart phones and other electronic season, four watercraft were of these species by always re- Wyoming from devices. Owners of non-motorized found to have mussels attached membering to Drain, Clean, and watercraft can also now transfer a and were thoroughly decontami- Dry your boat and all fishing March 1 through valid decal between non- nated. equipment. If you ever see any motorized watercraft owned by suspicious plant or animal while November 30, the same person, as long as every In 2016, check stations at key out recreating, it could be an watercraft has a valid decal dis- entrances into the state will be invasive species. Please report open as frequently as possible you are required played while on the water. any and all sightings to Repor- from April 30 through September [email protected]. to get your boat During all times of the year, if your 20. We encourage all boaters to boat has been on a water sus- plan ahead to have their water- Just a reminder, owners of mul- pect/positive for zebra or quagga craft inspected at one of these tiple non-motorized watercraft inspected for mussels within the last 30 days locations. In the Cody Region, may transfer valid decals be- you are required to have your boat watercraft check stations will be tween their own non- motorized AIS before you inspected prior to launching in operated at Buffalo Bill Reservoir, watercraft, however, each non- Wyoming. Also, if you are trans- Big Horn Lake, Big Horn River at motorized watercraft shall dis- launch in porting a boat into Wyoming from Wedding of the Waters and other play a valid decal while contact- out of state from March 1 through waters on a rotating basis. The ing any water of the state. Wyoming. November 30, you are required to Frannie Port of Entry AIS check have your boat inspected prior to station will be operated 7 days a launching in Wyoming. This in- week Monday through Wednesday Just a reminder, cludes out of state boaters enter- from 7:30am to 4:30pm and ing Wyoming and any Wyoming Thursday through Sunday from owners of multiple boaters who have left the state 7:30 am to 6:30pm. The North and are returning. Please remem- Cody AIS check station will be non-motorized ber that according to Wyoming open Thursday through Sunday law, if you encounter an open from 8:00am to 5:00pm. If you watercraft can check station on your route of require an inspection outside on travel, you must stop and will be these operating hours, please transfer valid required to undergo an inspection, contact the Cody Regional WGFD or show proof of a previous in- Office at 307-527-7125 or Re- decals between spection. gional AIS Specialist, Greg May- ton, at 307-254-3554. their boats, Zebra mussel Boaters can find information on inspection locations including So is Wyoming currently AIS free? however each boat Game and Fish offices and private No. While no zebra or quagga locations at: wgfd.wyo.gov/AIS. mussels have been found in Wyo- must have a valid Those wishing to become an AIS ming waters, there are popula- inspector must complete a free six tions of other invasive species in decal displayed -hour training course. Private certi- Wyoming such as Asian clam, New fied inspectors may conduct in- Zealand mudsnail, rusty crayfish, while it is in use. spections on their own boat and and curly pondweed. In 2015, a equipment, as well as provide new population of curly pondweed these services to others. Training was found in West Newton Lake course information can be found at: This photo https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/ shows the Quagga mussel media/content/PDF/Fishing/ prop of an AIS_WIDPUBLIC.pdf outboard In 2015, over 47,000 watercraft motor cov- inspections were conducted ered with throughout the state. Of those, invasive 4,055were high risk inspections quagga on watercraft last used on a water mussels. with zebra/quagga mussels or

Bighorn Basin Angler News Volume 19 Page 8 2016 Wyoming Game and Fish Department — Cody Region

Renner Reservoir—Time for a Fresh Start- Joe Skorupski The Fishing opportunities in Renner re- water with stunted sunfish, such as ing to start simple and keep close main limited due to a variety of fac- after the 2014 winterkill. The first tabs on the new bass population. Wyoming tors. Habitat conditions produce step to rebuilding and maintaining a Our plan is to stock bass and a lim- Game and winterkills and an overabundance of quality bass population is to drain ited number of tiger musky to help vegetation. This allows for sunfish to the reservoir. By draining the reser- control the bass population from Fish set to become over-populated because voir, we would be able to remove the over populating. If this strategy does- spawning areas are very abundant stunted sunfish population, fix the n’t work, we can discuss introducing drain and they can easily hide from bass, outlet structure, and potentially dig a forage fish such as bluegill. which should be controlling the sun- out sediment in select areas to in- Regardless, draining the reservoir Renner fish population. It is especially diffi- crease water depth. From there the and doing a little dirt work will in- cult to have a healthy bass popula- focus will be to establish a bass crease our flexibility to better man- tion once they are eliminated from a population. To do so, we are propos- age Renner Reservoir.

Big Horn River Trout Egg basket- Joe Skorupski

An alevin Rainbow trout spawning peaks in mid to late February in the Bighorn River. freshly But does that mean they are surviv- hatched ing? How successful are these winter- from one of spawners and would a later spawn the de- timing provide better recruitment? ployed egg Many factors go into trout recruitment baskets. and spawn timing is one. To better understand the role of spawn timing on trout recruitment in the Bighorn River, egg baskets filled with 100 fall Egg basket spawning rainbow eggs were de- filled with ployed in substrate to mimic natural gravel and spawning and allow us to quantify egg 100 eggs to alevin survival. Water temperature that is ready was monitored and it was determined to be buried that after six weeks all the eggs and incu- should hatch. Once retrieved, the egg bate for six baskets were carefully opened and weeks. the number of eggs and alevin, both live and dead were recorded. In May, spring spawning rainbow trout egg baskets will be deployed. An update on study results will be provided in future newsletters—stayed tuned.

Bighorn Basin Angler News Volume 19 Page 9 Conserving Wildlife — Serving People We’re on the web! Wyoming Game and Fish Department Cody Regional Office HTTP://WGFD.WYO.GOV 2820 HWY 120 Cody, WY 82414 Phone: 307-527-7125

Bits and Pieces

The Cody Kids Fishing Day will be held June 4, 2016 at Beck Lake. The Wyoming Free Fishing Day (no license required) is also June 4.

Newsletter Contributors

Contributors to this years newsletter include the Cody Fisheries Management Crew, Aquatic Invasive Species Regional Supervisor Greg Mayton, Regional Information and Education Specialist Tara Hodges, and Fish Passage Biologist Erin Sobel. Thanks to all.

Fisheries Management in the Cody Region

We manage your fisheries resources for you and we encourage you to call or stop Check out our website at wgfd.wyo.gov and our Cody re- by if you have questions or concerns. Call 307-527-7125 or reach us by email: gional web page under the “News” tab and go to “Game and Fish Regional News”. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] This and past newsletters for the Big Horn Basin and [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] across the state are available at: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Fishing-News

Fisheries Supervisor Sam Hochhalter Fisheries Biologist Joe Skorupski Fish Passage Biologist Erin Sobel

AIS Supervisor Greg Mayton Fisheries Biologist Jason Burckhardt Aquatic Habitat Biologist, Laura Burckhardt

Bighorn Basin Angler News Volume 19 Page 10