Pelican Lake has been historically known for its ability to grow large bluegill and also be a quality bass fishery. It is an important fishery to the Uintah Basin and can produce both family style fishing and a "trophy" style fishing for both species of fish. During a recent Pelican Lake management team meeting the installation of in-lake habitat structures as fish attractors was discussed and added as a goal for improvement within the newly written plan. Pelican lake is a shallow irrigation lake with a max depth of 16-17 feet. The bottom of the lake historically was covered with aquatic vegetation. Since the invasion of carp started in 2009, vegetation has been uprooted and scattered leaving a muddy, mucky bottom with no habitat for macroinvertabrates or fish. The lake currently has sufficient "outter" boundary cover bullrush and cattails, but severely lacks cover on the interior of the lake itself. Phase I of this project would be to install simple and cost effective structures within the middle of the lake and near the fishing pier to act as fish attractors and bring both bass and bluegill into areas where previous aquatic vegetation is now gone.

1) Complete a habitat structure master plan for Pelican Lake using multiple phases to create and install in-lake habitat structures over time. 2) Install habitat structures in 2-3 areas within the lake in FY 2017 utilizing the help of angler groups and sister agencies such as the BOR and BLM. 3) Evaluate the effectiveness of these in-lake structures over time using underwater cameras, angler information and sampling methods. 4) Continue this project into multiple phases to address sedimentation issues we are seeing along the inlet canal on the north end of the lake. With the help of an engineer, design structures that will reduce sediment and decrease turbidity within Pelican Lake.

Installation of these in-lake habitat structures through multiple phases of this project will help to reduce sedimentation and turbidity within the lake. If we are not successful in reducing sediment load and turbidity within this system we will never be able to restore Pelican Lake and return it back to the incredible fishery it once was. This project is the very first step of many to reduce the turbidity within this lake.

Directly related to the Pelican Lake Management Plan (First draft March 2016), which lists Improving water quality and improving fish habitat within the lake as goals #1 and #4.

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Over multiple phases would aim to directly benefit water quality over time. Reduction in sediment accumulation of the north end of the lake and decreasing turbidity caused by wave action and flood events within the system.

BOR and Water Conservancy district by-in to the project. BOR has initially given us the OK stating that Pelican Lake has no outlet work or critical BOR managed structures that could be impacted. Also stated was the need to mark structure areas and make sure structures are deep enough to not cause harm to people or equipment.

1) Create a master plan and map of areas to install these structures. 2) Acquire woody material needed to build these structures 3) Utilize multiple resources to assist in installation of these structures 4) Evalutate effectiveness

A monitoring plan for these structures would include the use of underwater camera, scuba or snorkeling surveys and the use of boat electrofishing to gather use data. We would also want to utilize anglers to determine effectiveness of these structures.

UDWR biologists have spoken with the BLM and plan to work together on construction and installation of these structures. We will collaborate in future phases to utilize available funding sources and partner on this and other Pelican Lake projects.

Future management will follow the newly created Pelican Lake Management plan with efforts directed to "restore" the historical Pelican Lake of the 1970-1980's. Quality Bluegill and Largemouth bass are key to this projects success.

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