[tasax]

I'm wondering if anyone knows any information about these fisheries. I know Smith Reservoir got completely drained a few years ago. Is it coming back at all, or are there any plans too bring it back? Before the big drought in '02 Sanchez Res used to be one of my favorite places to go. Plenty of large pike and hammerhandles as well as walleye. I went fishing there about a year ago, my first time since the drought. The lake was still real low and the action was dead. From everyone I know they have had the same kind of luck down there. I know there isn't a whole lot than can be done until they have a major snow or rain event down there to fill up Sanchez, but is it still incredibly slow fishing these days? Are there any plans for the reservoir? is it still low? Or has anyone had luck there recently? I could be off on my information which is why I am posting this, too find out more information. Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[kirbydog]

Used to fish here quite a bit. Pike fishing here used to be real good but the perch population is the real key to the pike here. In years past when the perch were abundant the pike did well but the perch population crashed and so did the pike. Also (and I don't mean to start any arguments here) this place always seemed to me to be subject to overharvest. Used to watch guys catch and keep literally everything and I'm guessing that took a toll. Never saw any enforcement here in all the times I went.

I'm sure the years of low water have hurt too-hurts the spawn and concentrates the fish and makes overhavest that much easier.

 

[tasax]

I agree with you on the overharvesting of fish there. I noticed that a lot ice fishing it years back, and like you never saw any enforcement. Thanks for the info, maybe one day it will come back.