GILLETTE, Wyo. — Wildlife managers are requesting public cooperation this summer with a creel survey intended to estimate angling use and catch rates at Lake DeSmet, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
The creel survey will take place during June, July and August and will consist of personnel contacting anglers to inquire about their fishing efforts and success, per Game and Fish. They intend to visit with anglers on several days during each summer month and plan to leave a survey card with anyone they visit with.
“Our personnel will visit with anglers about how many hours they have fished, what fish have been caught, what species they are targeting and related questions,” Sheridan Fisheries Biologist Gordon Edwards said in a statement. “The data we collect from this survey will help us estimate angling use and catch rates at the reservoir.”
According to Game and Fish, Lake DeSmet is a cool water fishery managed for species like rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, lake trout and kokanee salmon.
“This will be the first creel survey we have conducted since the kokanee introduction and we hope to get an idea of how many anglers [are] targeting kokanee or lake trout and what their preferences are,” Edwards said. “This is your opportunity to participate in the management of this fishery.”
Survey cards can be dropped in bright orange boxes at the Monument and Mikesell-Potts areas as well as the north end of the reservoir, per Game and Fish, which says the cards can also be mailed back with postage prepaid.
