Although panfish populations can be cyclical in nature, Pineview Reservoir often experiences extremes, with a single-year class completely dominating the population. This can happen in any of the bluegill, black crappie, and/or yellow perch populations. Protection of younger individuals has often been thought of in terms of littoral cover, often unavailable in 'normal' water years due to irrigation demand drawdown. Recent findings in Europe have indicated that deep water habitats may be key in protecting these vulnerable life history stages (yellow perch in particular). FY19, FY20, and FY23 work showed that fish were actually using the structures, and providing additional areas should prove beneficial. The two community fisheries targeted for habitat installation sustain very high angling pressure, and the survival of YOY bluegill and green sunfish as a forage source for larger fish is necessary for the successful recruitment of bass, catfish, and trout. Additionally, the protection of these forage species allows them to also recruit to catchable sizes and they are often species sought by anglers. The additional habitats will be placed at the deepest locations on the ponds. Past success at other community fisheries coupled with high angler pressure makes installing more habitat structures highly successful. UDWR data obtained from two sampling efforts demonstrate a severe decline in Rainbow Trout growth from their stocking time in late May through late fall. Health condition indexes and relative weights from statistal analysis illustrates the extremely poor conditions for Rianbow Trout specifically. Typical food sources for trout at these high elevation reservoirs like Stateline are commonly aquatic invertebrates such as sow bugs, scuds, chironomids, damselflies, and dragonflies. UDWR has found none in the stomachs of the Rainbow Trout from Stateline. Additionally, the zooplankton commonly eaten by trout are too small. Larger species are very low in numbers. Lastly, Kokanee Salmon numbers have increased and they can filter feed smaller food options than Rainbow Trout. UDWR is proposing to use recycled materials in a very small area to see if aquatic invertebrates are still present, will use the structures as the water levels drop over the summer, and durability of the product. The fluctuating water levels have sedimented in the shoreline habitats with fine sediments which typically are not as productive as more complex habitats. The Weber River portion of this project occurs on one easement held by UDWR and two Walk-In Access properties leased by UDWR. All three of these properties see very high angling use. Erosion from flows in 2024 have taken approximately 23 tons of soil from these three banks. This erosion causes all types of water quality issues for fish and other organisms. Part of the easement agreement is to maintain the stability of the banks of the river. UDWR needs to repair the banks in order to not void the agreement. The same is true for the WIA properites.

1. Place artificial structures in additional portions of the deep, hypolimnetic areas of Pineview Reservoir to protect young panfish (yellow perch, primarily) from predation. 2. Provide angling opportunities over a larger area for anglers to pursue Pellow Perch and Black Crappie. 3. Provide habitats for small sunfish and other species in community ponds for survival from predation and angling. 4. Increase wild populations of fish species in community ponds by increasing spawning and brood-rearing areas with artificial habitats. 5. Increase shoreline habitat and complexity for aquatic insect growth as a food source for sportfish. 6. Improve water quality by stabilizing three banks along the Weber River. 7. Improve fish habitat by creating pools and overhanging banks. 8. Improve the riparian community by creating bankful benches.

Although there is currently no evidence to suggest that Pineview is in danger of a collapse of the forage assemblage, water use trends have diminished the number of years that water remains at an elevation conducive to good survival of young fish. Demand for water will not drop, and insuring that there is some nursery and escape habitat for young fish is likely going to be important. Video monitoring has shown heavy use of previously installed structures. Pineview Reservoir is located on the Ogden River just 10 miles east of Ogden Utah. Habitats will be placed in the middle arm of the reservoir between cemetery point and browning point. A creel survey of angler use on community fisheries finished in November 2024. The data is not all evaluated but it is very evident that any habitat to benefit fish being able to survive longer and recruit more fish into these systems will be a great benefit to anglers. Small fish like sunfish can create forage for bass and other species and sunfish heavily utilize these artificial habitats. These structures will improve their survival. Bountiful Pond and Andy Adams Reservoir are located in Davis County Utah near Bountiful and Layton Utah respectively. Recent sampling efforts indicate very poor condition of Rainbow Trout in Stateline Reservoir. This is likely due to limited food resources. UDWR is undertaking several small studies to understand why the health of these stocked fish is so poor. There is a lack of aquatic invertebrates in the stomach contents of the trout. Occasionally, zooplankton are found in the stomachs but not much. One thought is that reservoir fluctuations have sedimented in the complex habitats typically found along shorelines. Part of the funding of this project will be to purchase artificial habitats to verify thought. The reservoir is located south of Robertson WY and inside the Utah line on the East Fork of the Smiths Fork drainage. Lastly, quickly eroding banks need to be stabilized on two Walk In Access properties and one UDWR easement. These properties allow angling access to Blue Ribbon reaches of the Weber River. Agreements with landowners are currently in place but could be voided if work is not funded and completed. These properties are located between Hobson Lane and Judd Lane on the Weber River near Coalville Utah.

The species listed and the threats associated with them come from the Aquatics Section Strategic Plan. Yellow Perch - Increase angler opportunities in waterbodies where they occur. Stabilize the cyclic nature of the populations where possible. These are prized panfish when above 8 inches. Black Crappie - Increase angler opportunities in waterbodies where they occur. These are prized panfish when above 10 inches. Rainbow Trout - Increase angler opportunities in waterbodies where they occur. Most sought after fish species by anglers in Utah. Still the most stocked fish in reservoirs. The Northern Region has increased the size of stocked fish in some waterbodies with perch to reduce the number of fish but increase trout size. Better return to creel for money spent. Also has reduced predation on perch and survival has increased giving more opportunities. Brown Trout - Very popular sportfish and highly sought after in the Weber River. One of the highest species sought after in the state of Utah. Weber River in Section 7 is a trophy Brown Trout water and Blue Ribbon status because of size and numbers of this fish. Mountain Whitefish - Native fish to Weber River and an important sportfish.

The habitat installation portion of this project will not be of much benefit for fires and fuels but the bank stabilization and restoration work will benefit the area. Materials such as dead trees, logs, root wads with trunks, and willows will all be used as part of this restoration work. Utilizing this material will reduce fuels and limit the ability for fire to carry. Additionally, the creation of a bankful bench with woody riparian vegetation will create a fire break along the edge of pastures and the river. There are many homes across the river from this work. Any fires that start on the pastures could be minimized due to this work.

Bank stabilization and restoration will greatly benefit the private landowners and water quality of those downstream. On two of the three properties, one season of high water and irrigation flows removed approximately 9,050 cubic feet and 14,380 cubic of soil from the banks. This erosion will continue to occur and cause many issues associated with fish health and water quality. The roughly 23 tons of soil will add more phosphorus to the water and more fine sediments, which will lead to more aquatic plant growth and warmer summer water temperature, create additional impaction issues with the substrate, and cause the river to widen. All of these items lead to poor water quality for cold-water fishes and aquatic organisms.

Previous archaeological clearances have been done on these properties for bank work. We will not be expanding our work from those areas.

Place artificial habitat structures in deep water areas of Pineview Reservoir generally in close proximity to spawning areas of primary panfish species. The goal is to place structures in 'patches' of approximately 0.1- 0.25 acre areas. Aquatics biologists will be consulted to target the most advantageous areas for the structures. It is likely that locations for structures will be expand the areas where previous habitats have been placed. This phase will concentrate heavily on the Middle Fork arm as previous phases have focused on the north and south forks. A large crew of volunteers will meet and assemble the structures on the beaches while the Aquatics crew deploys the structures via their large boat. Habitats will be on the same contours previously mapped as part of other projects to maintain no boating hazards. UDWR will deploy the habitats in the deeper areas of Bountiful Pond and Andy Adams Reservoir. Previous habitat implementations have proved successful, so similar areas will receive the structures. A small cove on the west side of the reservoir is chosen for the habitat work. Structures will be hauled via truck and side by side to the location and spread out on the shoreline. Structures will be placed about 10 feet down from the high water mark as far down as they can be placed. This work will be done in the late fall before the reservoir fills in the spring. Heavy equipment crew will haul boulders and logs to sites for installation. This part may be done at any time of the year. Implementation work will be done during the winter of 2025-2026. Work will be to excavate pools, create a bankful bench, lay back the bank, use cobbles from the river to fill the bench and contour the bank, take willow clumps from nearby sources and plant in the bench, and then cover with more soil, cobbles, and sod. Also, at least one cross vane and two j-hooks should be created to move the flow out from the bank and create fish habitats. Logs will overhang pools to create overhanging banks for fish habitats.

Area will be mapped with down scan and side scan sonar to document habitation and size of treated area. If water clarity permits, underwater video will be taken to show use of these areas and to corroborate findings of sonar. Trend netting will continue at Pineview to document changes in fish assemblage. Angling may be utilized to confirm predatory fish attraction to areas w/ baitfish concentrations. DWR will use surveys of anglers and local official over ht eponds to assess the success of these habitats. DWR crews will be conducting netting surveys to determine overwinter health conditions fo all species of fish. During this time and 3-4 more times each summer, a DWR biologist will survey and inspect the structures for algae growth (good thing) and invertebrate use. Rotational sampling efforts on section 7 will take place in 3 more years for the fishery. Annual surveys by the biologist occur every fall to document changes on project areas. Photos and notes are taken and recorded.

USFS Muskies Inc. Chapter 65 Rocky Mountain Anglers

Pineview will continue to be managed as a Blue Ribbon fishery for tiger muskies and as a sport fishery for black bass, yellow perch, black crappie, and bluegill. A telemetry study will be conducted as part of this habitat project to look at movements of tiger muskies around these structures in the fall and winter at lower water levels. UDWR will use the recent creel survey data to determine stocking rates and sizes of fish for the community ponds. Habitats will help survival of fish and benefit anglers for a longer period of time. Regulations may change on a few waters if needed. There are several thoughts about issues involving Stateline Reservoir. If these habitats collect aquatic invertebrates, UDWR would work with USFS to install more structures or other habitats. Curtain netting will likely occur in June 2025 and look at the survival of triploid lake trout to control Kokanee Salmon. The Weber River is a dynamic system, but in places, it needs to be kept in place to protect property. Surveys will continue to be conducted and habitats will be assessed on a yearly basis.

Endeavors to assist the yellow perch population achieve some degree of consistency rather than the current boom and bust scenario should improve the quality of the recreational experience for anglers at Pineview. The survival of stocked and wild fish in these ponds is a main objective of this project. If that project increases the number of fish in the poond surviving because they have more cover, this will benefit more anglers over a longer period of time. If DWR can document the use of invertebrates and fish near and other these habitats, this will likely increase the health of those fish, rainbow trout, and be better for anglers to take home. These stabilized banks will provide a better and healthier riparian as well as more fish habitat in the river. The system will reduce the amount of fine sediments in it and be better for water quality for all users.