Lander – Wyoming Game and Fish Department reports on fish population trends in Boysen Reservoir.
Annual walleye netting at Boysen Reservoir this fall show that numbers of walleye and yellow perch are up. Strong recruitment in 2011 for both walleye and yellow perch are boosting numbers of catchable sized fish in the Reservoir, and another strong 2014 year class of walleye should make for catchable sized fish in the next year or two. Juvenile yellow perch are also abundant which should lead to better fishing for yellow perch in the next couple of years as well.
Sauger are another popular fish species in the Reservoir and they saw a 90% decrease from 2002-2011. During that time there was little to no natural recruitment in the population. However good recruitment in 2011 and 2014 have allowed partial population recovery and sauger stocking from 2013-2015 has supplemented those numbers. These supplemental stockings will continue in 2016 and 2017 and will hopefully expedite the recovery of the population. Biologists are currently conducting research to determine the environmental factors that influence natural recruitment of sauger.
Trout abundance in Boysen depends on stocking. After stocking shortages from 2008-2012, stocking has occurred at recommended levels and has brought their numbers back up.
Channel catfish and black crappie continue to be a minor part of the Boysen Fishery. Catfish can grow quite large and occasionally provide anglers the chance to catch a trophy exceeding 20 pounds. Black crappie juveniles were abundant this fall indicating that crappie fishing should improve over the next couple of years. Both channel catfish and black crappie like upper reservoir regions such as Muddy Creek, Badwater Creek and Poison Creek bays.
Catching some of these fish may be more difficult as the emerald shiner, a prey species for walleye, sauger and perch, has also increased in abundance. Fishing early before the fish have stomachs full of shiners may be the key to success this fall and next spring.
Photograph: Gerrity with Channel Catfish at Boysen Reservoir 2015
Photograph: Yellow Perch at Boysen Reservoir 2015