Steinaker Reservoir is subject to drastic water draw-downs over the course of the irrigation season. This project will enhance fish habitat for Bluegill and Largemouth Bass and help to maintain the reservoirs Blue Ribbon Status as a critical NER fishery. This project is also one of opportunity as the BOR will be drawing the water levels down to dead pool starting in the Fall of 2018 and remaining low until the project is completed in the Summer of 2019 for Dam repairs. Over the past several years Steinaker has experienced reservoir draw-down that occurs at optimal Largemouth Bass and Bluegill spawning times. This poses a risk to successful spawning and recruitment as the vegetation within the reservoir and critical spawning habitat become high and dry during the spawning times. Installation of additional habitat structures and potential plantings of aquatic vegetation will enhance areas critical to spawning. Installation of "honey hole" style structures will then provide rearing habitat critical to young Bluegill and Largemouth Bass. Specific placement of habitat will also act as fish "attractors" and provide anglers with additional ice fishing and open water fishing opportunities.

1)Strategically place fish habitat and fish "attractor" structures in key areas of Steinaker Reservoir as lake levels are low due to dam repairs. 2)Utilize partnerships between UDWR sections and local entities to enhance fishing opportunities at a locally important fishery. 3)Acquire funding for 300 "honey hole tree" structures to be placed in groups of 50-60 in prime areas along 10,600 feet of shoreline on the north and west shores of the reservoir.

Year class failures of Largemouth Bass and Bluegill due to drastic water fluctuations that de-water critical spawning habitat and rearing habitat for young fish.

Steinaker Management plan is currently being discussed within the UDWR and will likely be written in FY2018. This project is more and opportunistic project as BOR will be conducting work on the dam exposing portions of the reservoir that have not been exposed for decades. However, each reservoir management plan within the NER has a section devoted to habitat enhancement or development along with angler access improvements. (See Red Fleet Management Plan, Starvation Management Plan and Pelican Lake Management Plan)

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BOR has entered into a MOU with UDWR to do NEPA and Arch clearance for project as mitigation for fish kills that will likely occur when the draw down occurs. All work specifics will be coordinated with BOR and Utah State Parks.

1) Create a structure layout plan to utilize specific areas of the reservoir critical to fish and also safe for boaters and anglers. 2) Aquatics and Habitat sections coordinate construction of structures. 3) Install structures according to the layout plan. 4) Monitor successes or failures of the structures and their placement. 5) Move or re-position if needed in the future.

Several methods will be used to monitor success including: 1) Scuba surveys and underwater camera installation as monitoring tools. 2) Biological fisheries surveys (boat electrofishing and gillnet surveys to detect increases in young of year and juvenile relative abundance). 3) Angler surveys and satisfaction of installed "attractor" structures.

UDWR aquatics and habitat sections, BOR, Utah State Parks, Dedicated Hunters, Boy Scouts, Local angler groups, volunteers.

Very similar to the monitoring strategies. This project will directly relate the the Steinaker Management plan that is pending.

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05/01/2019

06/30/2019

2019

18 Spider Rock Hump Structures were constructed in two locations for a total of 36 structures. Honey Hole Structures were purchased and are being stored at the Vernal Game Farm for installation Spring 2020.

The exposed lake bed was difficult to work in, limiting where we were able to place the Spider Rock Hump Structures. Instead of 12 structures at three sites, we constructed 18 structures at two sites. The third site was inaccessible and had to be abandoned. All NER Sections participated in this effort as well as several aquatics staff from other UDWR Regions. It was a great team building exercise and the first time in the state's history that these structures were installed in a reservoir. The lake level was not filled to the level where we planned on placing the Honey Hole Structures in 2019. They are being stored until Spring 2020 for installation.

Honey Hole Structures will be installed Spring 2020 as the lake level reaches the elevation for these structures. The reservoir should continue filling and all structures will be permanently submerged by summer 2020. Structures will be monitored for fish use by sonar, scuba, and fishing survey reports.