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Our airboat pilot spied a goose and swerved, accelerating over the water towards the lone bird. As we approached, the goose honked in surprise – or possibly avian outrage – and slipped underwater in an attempt to escape. Leaning over the bow of the airboat, I was able to pluck the bird from the water. He joined his fellow geese in a wooden containment crate strapped to the boat.
Wipers are a sterile cross between striped bass and white bass and were first introduced to Utah in the early 1990s. The current state record is more than 11 pounds and was caught in Newcastle Reservoir in 2015. Besides being fun to catch and great to eat, wipers have become an important management tool for the DWR.
Wood ducks are one of only a few waterfowl species that nest above ground in tree cavities. Wood ducks are very common in the eastern half of the county, but because Utah has limited woodland habitat near wetlands, they are considered uncommon in our state.
I enjoy pictures of big fish and hearing tales about catching big fish in places like Alaska, Montana and even Utah's renowned Blue Ribbon trout waters. But one thing that thrills me as much as anything is cutthroat trout in their native streams, most of which happen to be small (both the streams and the trout).
What are panfish? They are certain species of fish popular among anglers for their mild flavor and white flaky texture. They are easy to catch and fit conveniently in a frying pan!
