Springtime Fishing Advice from Jason Burckhardt, Wyoming Game and Fish Fisheries Biologist
By: Katelyn Parker
Jason Burckhardt, a Fisheries Biologist for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in the Cody region, was kind enough to impart some of his wisdom and professional expertise about trout populations and management in the state. We reached out to him to gain a better understanding of what he does in his capacity as a Fisheries Biologist and hoped that he could educate us and our readers about fishing in Wyoming, particularly in the spring when the trout are spawning. He was happy to speak with us and had a lot of incredible knowledge to share.
Cutthroat Trout Spawning in Yellowstone National Park’s Lamar Valley. Photo Credit: Yellowstone National Park
Game and Fish Fisheries Biologist- The Position and its Purpose
The Fisheries Biologist position with Game and Fish is multifaceted but largely entails traveling to different bodies of water and sampling fish populations so they can give sound recommendations to Wyoming hatcheries and determine future regulations for specific sites. The purpose behind the Fisheries Biologist position is to sustain and maintain a healthy fish population. In his words, wildlife in the state belongs to the citizens and Fisheries Biologists are the stewards of that resource, so it is their job to make sure this generation, and those to come, have access to a healthy population of their state’s resources.
Game and Fish Population Management and its Importance
To ensure that future generations have access to their state’s resources, the current population of different fish species must be monitored to sustain healthy populations. There are several different factors that determine the population of fish such as water temperature, overfishing, invasive species, and stocking. Game and Fish biologists will monitor these conditions as well as the condition of the fish in a body of water to determine whether the body needs to be stocked, if an unwanted species needs to be culled, or whether regulations need to change to sustain a healthy population. When I asked what might be considered an “unwanted” species, Jason educated me on the different trout species and how they can affect each other’s populations. An example he provided was how Rainbow and Brook trout are negatively impacting the population of Cutthroat trout, the only native trout species in Wyoming. Brook trout can out compete and prey on Cutthroat, which effects the health of their population. The Rainbow trout, which is closely related to the Cutthroat, can interbreed, and produce unwanted hybrids. In order to prevent the detriment of the Cutthroat population, Game and Fish biologists must take certain actions to maintain native species, making the work they do an integral factor for the survival of our native ecosystems. Jason describes Wyoming as being “a great place for anglers” and it is his job to keep it that way.
Trout Spawning Season- Don’t Tread the Redd
When I asked Jason to describe spawning season for trout and how to best recognize and avoid spawning locations, I didn’t realize how delicate and remarkable the process actually is. In Wyoming, the trout that spawn in the spring are the Cutthroat, Rainbow and Golden trout. There are several factors that determine when each of these species will begin spawning but one of the main factors is the spring snow run-off. The cutthroat specifically will begin to spawn at the tail arm of the hydrograph, or after the peak of run-off. Other factors that determine spawning include water temperature, daylight period and the amount of water in a stream. Waters at lower elevations will see spring spawning fish a little earlier than those in higher elevations which are home to the Golden trout.
When the time is right, trout begin building their spawning beds, known as redds. The female will find the ideal spot in riffles, areas of streams and rivers that are generally shallow and fast moving. It is imperative that the eggs are laid in clean gravel, devoid of debris such of silt and algae, for a healthy oxygen flow to be able to move through the gravel, keeping the eggs healthy until they hatch. Redds can be identified from the surface if you know what you are looking for and it is important that spring anglers can identify the signs because a boot can easily destroy an egg pocket. Some things you should look for include:
· Shallow, dish-shaped depressions in the streambed that have been cleared of debris.
· Mounds of clean gravel at the downstream end of these depressions.
Fish will clear debris to ensure healthy oxygen flow so if you see a clear dish shape or shallow depressions that are surrounded by algae and other debris there is a good chance this is a redd. If you see any of these signs, avoid the area altogether, ensuring you don’t tread the redd. Another clear sign of a redd is if you see fish actively in the spawning process. It might be tempting to go after the easy catch, but the environmentally responsible act is to leave them be and let them carry on. If you have more questions about how to recognize a redd so you can responsibly avoid them, contact your local Game and Fish department. Their fisheries biologists are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and will be able to educate you further.
Best Practices and Advice for Anglers in Wyoming
When asked what some best practices are for Wyoming anglers and people who have never fished in Wyoming before, Jason was hard put to find the proper answer because he could talk in length about this subject, but we aren’t writing a book so for the purposes of this article he advises that you utilize the Game and Fish resources. The Game and Fish website is a wealth of information and anglers can find rules and regulations as well as the Fishing Guide, which is an interactive map that educates the user on the fish that can be found in an individual body of water as well as different access point for certain bodies of water. He also wants anglers to know that “fishing is supposed to be fun, so if you go into it with that in mind, you can’t go wrong”.
Bait Restrictions
There are bait restrictions and live baitfish restrictions in place for specific waters in Wyoming, so it is important that you are familiar with the regulations in place for the particular body of water you are fishing. Bait restrictions are enforced to avoid incidental hooking mortality which occurs more often when bait is used because a fish is more likely to swallow bait, such as a worm, than they would a fly or lure. For catch and release purposes, bait can make it more difficult to remove the hook which can lead to hooking mortality. Live baitfish, such as minnows, is restricted in some areas to avoid the introduction of non-native species to a body of water. To better understand the restrictions and regulations in your area, call your local Game and Fish office or visit the website.
Common Bait and Fly Types for Trout
If you are fishing in a body of water where bait is allowed, using a worm is hard to beat, says Jason. He also says that there are many prepared baits that are effective as well, we just remind you to check the regulations before choosing your bait. Your local fly shop should be able to impart advice on which baits work well for your area. If your method is fly fishing, there are several fly’s you can use, and each angler has their own preference. A fly can be as simple or complex as you want, it just depends on who is doing the casting. A fool proof fly, according to Jason, is the Wooly Bugger, which is a hackled fly with a marabou tail and a chenille body. There are thousands of fly patterns, and all anglers have their favorite but if you have questions, your local fly shop should be able to help.
Parting Advice
The last bit of advice Jason shared was some advice on finding clearer waters during run-off season. During run-off, waters can become muddy, creating a less than ideal fishing experience. During this season you are likely to find clearer water in lakes and reservoirs as well as tailwaters, just below dams.
We want to thank Jason for taking the time to talk with us and we hope that you were able to learn something from our conversation with him. Some takeaways: don’t tread the redd, utilized the Game and Fish department because they are a great resource and please make sure you familiarize yourself with the restrictions and regulations in your area.
Share your fishing experiences with Live WYld by using @LiveWYldMag and #LiveWYld. Happy fishing!