Starvation Reservoir bioenergetic project which was completed over the course of the 2020/2021 calendar year provided us a great deal of information about or predators in this system. Our current population estimate for walleye in the system in around 21,000 age 1+ fish which is up significantly from our estimate of 13,000 back in 2016. To sustain healthy predators which include walleye, smallmouth bass, brown trout and even larger size rainbow trout, we must have a healthy and robust forage base. This forage base must have a healthy population of brood stock fish to spawn and produce enough offspring each year. Good number of these offspring must survive from egg to spawning size and contribute back to this diverse system.

Phase I objectives 1)Complete the required MOU with Utah State Parks, CUWCD and BOR. 2)Complete the required fish habitat installation plan for selected structures and areas on placement. 3)Work through state purchasing to acquire an assortment of pre-fabricated fish habitat structures specific to forage fish escapement. 4)Recruit a small army of volunteers to build the structures onsite at Starvation Reservoir 5)Recruit another small army of boats to haul and install the structures in approved areas and depths of Starvation Reservoir. 6)Monitor structures for movement and use by intended target species.

Starvation Reservoir is a well known walleye fishery as is classified as a Blue Ribbon fishery here in the State of Utah. Recent drought conditions coupled with largescale wild fires in the drainages that flow into Starvation have added challenges to management of this system. To sustain healthy sportfish we must work to both increase diversity of forage and increase viable habitat within the system. The multiple phases of this project aim to create a more long term and sustainable forage base moving into the future.

Starvation Reservoir Fisheries Management Plan 2015 Goal 3. Enhance and protect critical forage species habitat within Starvation Reservoir. Objective #1: Plan and implement installation of new habitat structures for Black Crappie and other forage species. Tools to accomplish this objective: * Write Habitat Council and Blue Ribbon project proposals to acquire funding for several habitat projects throughout the reservoir. * Determine suitable habitat structures and placement of structures and then work with BOR and State Parks managers to address safety concerns. * Utilize angler groups and/or local entities to construct pre-fabricated structures. * Utilize underwater camera and/or snorkel and scuba surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of the structures (structures are geared to provide cover for young-of-year fish including Black Crappie, Yellow Perch and other structure oriented fish).

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A signed MOU with State Parks, CUWCD and BOR will grant us full approval as outlined in the installation plan.

Same as objectives 1)Complete the required MOU with Utah State Parks, CUWCD and BOR. 2)Complete the required fish habitat installation plan for selected structures and areas on placement. 3)Work through state purchasing to acquire an assortment of pre-fabricated fish habitat structures specific to forage fish escapement. 4)Recruit a small army of volunteers to build the structures onsite at Starvation Reservoir 5)Recruit another small army of boats to haul and install the structures in approved areas and depths of Starvation Reservoir. 6)Monitor structures for movement and use by intended target species.

Monitoring as required by the MOU for structures placement and movement. Long term monitoring by UDWR aquatics staff for use by forage fish in this system (underwater cameras, micromesh gillnetting and electrofishing surveys in and around the structures. We will also be looking for a jump in overall abundance of forage species.

Utah State Parks, CUWCD, BOR and Wildlife Conservation Fund.

This project is part of a much larger overall management plan for Starvation Reservoir. The project is complex and we want to do it right! Multiple phases of habitat installation with a variety of structures that are designed to protect and enhance the ability of young of year forage fish to survive will be planned into the future. In conjunction the UDWR and its partners will be continuously updating the fisheries management plan for Starvation Reservoir. We plan to spend significant time and effort here into the future.

This project looks to both enhance overall abundance and create a more sustainable and healthy fishery into the future. Healthy predators require a consistent forage base, sufficient habitat and water, as well as long term management and regulations.

05/01/2022

10/10/2022

2023

Pond king structures purchased, remainder of the project will be completed in the spring of 2023. Arkansas floating cubes (7) constructed by Rocky Mountain Anglers group are in DWR possession but have yet to be installed.

Habitat structures for Starvation reservoir YOY forage fish survival. Purchase and install pond king nursery and mega nursery habitat structures. Work with BOR and CUWCD to on installation plan. **Update this project has been put on hold due to the final signing of an MOU. We are still working with partners to move this MOU forward, but will not be able to install any of the fish habitat structures until summer of 2024.

Monitor a small area and see if we can verify positive results. Move forward with more of these structures or move to a more deep water habitat structure.