Wildlife officials have joined forces for a massive trout tagging event that could mean a payout for lucky anglers. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Wyoming Game and Fish Department are working to tag 1,000 lake trout, primarily in Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The tagging will help estimate the population of lake trout under 28 inches long.
Wyoming Game and Fish explain that anglers can help the Game and Fish generate a better population estimate simply by fishing. Tags are located directly beneath the dorsal fin. One side has a tag number and the other has a phone number. “Tagged lake trout from either Wyoming or Utah are valid for a potential reward,” shares biologist John Walrath. “Anglers only need to have a valid fishing license as required by law…
Any angler who catches and reports a tagged fish will receive a letter from the Department detailing when and where the fish was tagged and its length at tagging. If the fish was one of the 200 randomly selected for a $50 reward, a check will also be mailed to the angler.”
Anglers can call in tags caught between now and August 2023 to see if the fish they caught is worth $50. There is no way to tell if the tag has a reward without calling it in.
Picture courtesy Utah.wildlife.gov
