Sauger numbers are up in Boysen Reservoir
Recent sampling by Wyoming Game and Fish Department fisheries biologists showed that Boysen Reservoir continues to have healthy populations of walleye, sauger, and yellow perch. Similar to last year’s sampling, high numbers of walleyes from the 2014 (age 4; 15 to 16 inches) and 2015 (age 3; 14 to 16 inches) year classes made up a large proportion of the population (Figures 1 and 2). Good numbers of age-2 walleyes (12 to 14 inches) from the 2016 year-class were are captured.
Fall sampling also yielded the highest sauger catch rates since 2002, which was very encouraging (Figure 3). Sauger numbers crashed in the early 2000s, likely because of the extended drought. Most captured saugers were young at age-1 (8 to 10 inches) and age-2 (11 to 14 inches), so the near future is bright for the population.
Good yellow perch numbers were captured for the third consecutive year, with length data showing a balance population. Fifty percent of the yellow perch were keeper-sized at 9 to 13 inches (Figure 4). The other 50% were younger and smaller fish at 5 to 8 inches, which bodes well for future fishing.
Walleye from 2018 sampling in Boysen Reservoir
Fall sampling also yielded the highest sauger catch rates since 2002, which was very encouraging (Figure 3). Sauger numbers crashed in the early 2000s, likely because of the extended drought. Most captured saugers were young at age-1 (8 to 10 inches) and age-2 (11 to 14 inches), so the near future is bright for the population.
Good yellow perch numbers were captured for the third consecutive year, with length data showing a balance population. Fifty percent of the yellow perch were keeper-sized at 9 to 13 inches (Figure 4). The other 50% were younger and smaller fish at 5 to 8 inches, which bodes well for future fishing.
Walleye from 2018 sampling in Boysen Reservoir
Paul Gerrity 307-332-2688