April 14, 2025
Anglers flip to Garmin reside sonar know-how to assist handle the invasive species inhabitants.
The individuals who cherish the famed Flaming Gorge Reservoir are dedicated to defending its trophy fish and sustaining wholesome waters. Whereas most fish within the Flaming Gorge Reservoir feed in the course of the day and relaxation at evening, one species follows the other routine: the burbot.
The what? We’re speaking concerning the invasive nocturnal burbot, dubbed the “ugliest fish within the west.” A freshwater cod-like fish that’s virtually a cross between an eel and a catfish, the burbot makes use of its broad mouth to feed on sport fish comparable to smallmouth bass, kokanee salmon and different trout species. It may be discovered within the Flaming Gorge, which is within the northeast nook of Utah and the southwest nook of Wyoming. Take a look for your self above.
Sure, its look is a bit daunting, however the burbot’s knack for preying on its friends in the dead of night of the evening is most regarding to a few of the Flaming Gorge’s greatest supporters.
“As soon as the burbot was first documented within the gorge in 2006, there have been just a few modifications that folks began to note within the reservoir. We needed to discover a manner to assist the fishery, with the smallmouth bass and different sport fish disappearing,” mentioned John Walrath, a regional fish biologist for the Wyoming Recreation and Fish Division.
Quick ahead to 2011, the derby-style, two-day Burbot Bash ice fishing occasion was created for anglers to assist decrease the invasive burbot and sustaining trophy fish within the Flaming Gorge area.
“The aim of the occasion just isn’t essentially to remove burbot, however to have the species at a degree that helps the ecosystem thrive,” mentioned Ryan Kelly, Burbot Bash director. “The burbot had turn out to be a meals chain disruptor, consuming the younger fish from completely different species, which precipitated an issue with all the ecosystem.”
This drawback affected the native financial system, given the Flaming Gorge Reservoir was a top-100 B.A.S.S. vacation spot however continues to be thought of a premier trophy lake trout and kokanee salmon fishery within the U.S. “Just a few years in the past, we noticed the bottom burbot densities since they had been first documented in 2006,” Walrath mentioned. “The very subsequent spring, we noticed our highest smallmouth bass numbers since we began that sampling in 2020. The overwhelming majority had been 3 to 4 inches in dimension, so actually small. That dimension of fish is certainly weak to burbot.”
How Garmin helps the fishing derby
After years of profitable Burbot Bash occasions, Garmin stepped in to indicate its help of the occasion and the Flaming Gorge Reservoir in 2025.
“It’s good that an organization like Garmin was keen to return out to the Bash and showcase its know-how to of us,” Walrath mentioned.
A 2025 occasion sponsor, Garmin presents a singular resolution to assist decrease the burbot inhabitants on the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, which measures 91 miles lengthy with 360 miles of shoreline.
“Maintaining a robust and wholesome fishery is tremendous necessary for our neighborhood, so realizing that Garmin cares on this case is tremendous necessary. Lots of people will journey from lengthy distances and use LiveScope on the gorge for the large lake trout and salmon,” Walrath mentioned.
With lots of the virtually 800 anglers utilizing the state-of-the-art LiveScope™ or Panoptix™, a tournament-record 4,675 burbots had been caught. The tech supplied anglers with a transparent view of fish and construction beneath the ice in actual time.
“It’s somewhat bit like looking for a needle in a haystack on the market for those who don’t have these instruments. I wouldn’t say somewhat bit — it’s a needle in a haystack for anglers who don’t have instruments or expertise,” mentioned Kelly, the occasion director. “The LiveScope is tremendous helpful in finding fish, seeing how they’re reacting to the lure, and making straightforward changes.”
Schooling helps gasoline huge numbers
Another excuse for the uptick in burbot caught? Walrath, the realm biologist, and Kelly consider the addition of informational classes and on-the-water seminars performed a big position. Garmin representatives educated attendees with ice fishing ideas and tips forward of and in the course of the occasion.
“Usually we see 50% of the anglers catch fish, and this 12 months that jumped to about 67%. I attributed that to the LiveScope and the classes,” mentioned Kelly, who famous greater than 250 anglers attended the classes. “We supplied the prospect to win a LiveScope, and that was an enormous draw for folks to attend.”
The elevated variety of burbots caught was particularly satisfying for Walrath and those that handle the waters.
“It was nice that Garmin provided anglers the prospect to arrange their LiveScope items and assist them put together for the Bash and the gorge — to get that higher element and clearer image,” Walrath mentioned. “We need to see the seminar attendees really exit onto the ice and apply what they realized in order that we will have increased catch charges.”
Not your atypical derby
The Burbot Bash prides itself on being a nonprofit occasion. Entry charges are returned to the anglers within the type of money prizes, giveaways and extra.
“The anglers actually like that and so does our division,” Walrath mentioned. “It encourages of us to take part and assist us handle the Flaming Gorge assets — that’s the principle mission.”
“We paid out money to 90 completely different anglers,” Kelly mentioned. “I need to say we gave out $50,000 in money prizes, $10,000–$12,000 in gear after which $38,000 in true money to winners.”
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