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Central Region requests $32,000 to install deep- and shallow-water habitat in Jordanelle Reservoir
Summary
Central Region staff proposed multi-year habitat installations in the Rock Cliff (Provo River) arm of Jordanelle Reservoir to boost yellow perch recruitment and improve forage for predators including tiger muskie and smallmouth; the ask includes Blue Ribbon and Habitat Council shares plus expected Friends-of-Reservoirs and Muskies Inc. support.
Tyler Robinson, Central Region sport fish biologist and Blue Ribbon representative, described a multi-year plan to install several hundred habitat modules in the Rock Cliff arm of Jordanelle Reservoir to improve forage (yellow perch) recruitment and provide wintering habitat for predator fish.
Robinson said yellow perch counts from electrofishing (2020 vs 2023) show a decline in forage fish that threatens predators’ condition and angler satisfaction. "We normally would see 300 yellow perch, and we only got 38," he said, citing a 2023 sampling anomaly and the need to rebuild forage habitat.
Nut graf: The project would place deep-water wintering structures and some shallow-water shore structures within a no-wake pocket where Provo River inflow creates favorable angling conditions. The Division seeks $22,000 from Blue Ribbon and $10,000 from Habitat Council; Tyler said an in-kind partnership with Muskies Inc. and an expected $15,000 Friends of Reservoirs grant would increase deployment to more than 200 structures in the Provo arm over multiple phases.
Presenters said rock-cliff and no-wake areas make the Rock Cliff arm a manageable starting point; future phases could expand lakewide and into Deer Creek. Council members and stakeholders present, including Muskies Inc. representatives, voiced strong support.
Ending: Robinson said structures are proven elsewhere in the state and region to concentrate perch and provide angler opportunities; the Division will continue to coordinate with water users and park managers on placement and timing.
