Strawberry Reservoir

Infobox lake
lake_name = Strawberry Reservoir
image_lake = StrawResSunset.jpg
caption_lake = Spring sunset
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Utah
coords = coord|40.174|-111.136|type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length =
width =
area =
depth =
max-depth = convert|200|ft|abbr=on
volume = convert|3200000|cuyd|m3|abbr=on
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = convert|7612|ft|abbr=on
islands =
cities =
reference = [http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/strawberry/straw4.html Utah Division of Wildlife Resources ] ]

Strawberry Reservoir is a large reservoir in the U.S. state of Utah. It is Utah's most popular fishery, receiving over 1.5 million angling hours annually and is part of the [http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/blueribbon/ Blue Ribbon Fisheries] program. Game fish in the reservoir include sterilized rainbow trout, bear lake cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon and crayfish. It is located 23 miles southeast of Heber, Utah on U.S. Route 40. The reservoir is situated in Strawberry Valley. This valley is normally part of the Colorado River drainage. The dam was constructed to divert water into Utah Valley.

Strawberry Reservoir was the 2006 recipient of the American Fisheries Society's outstanding sport fish development/restoration Project of the Year award. [cite news | last =Grass | first =Ray | coauthors = | title =Strawberry gets national award for its outstanding sport fishing | work = | pages =C1-C2 | language =English | publisher =Deseret News | date =May 17, 2007 | url = | accessdate = ]

History

Strawberry Reservoir was poisoned (chemically treated) in 1990 to kill all aquatic life in the lake in attempt to get rid of trash fish (Utah Chub). Shortly after replanting the fish, chub fish started to appear. The DWR (Division of Wildlife Resources) found that the Bonneville Cutthroat trout (Bear Lake Strain) was a very aggressive chub eating fish. The DWR has used the Cutthroat trout to keep the number of Chub down in the lake. The fishing and angling regulations for Strawberry are very strict regarding the possession, release and quantity of Native Cutthroat an angler is allowed to keep. As of 2008 all Cutthroat between 15 inches to 22 inches in length are required to be released back into the water, regardless of the health of the fish.

olider Creek & Strawberry Side

There are two bodies of water that make up Strawberry reservoir. The first and larger body of water is on the flats or meadows side. This is referred to the Strawberry side. The Strawberry side is usually much shallower than its other part the Solider Creek side. The Solider Creek side used to be a separate body of water and was separated by a Dam located at the South end of the lake near the Strawberry side at the mouth of the Channel. The Solider Creek side tends to be much deeper and a cooler body of water holding more Kokanee Salmon. The South end of the Solider creek side near the channel and the Solider Creek Dam tend to be the deepest spots of the entire reservoir.

Aquatic Life

* Bonneville cutthroat trout (Bear Lake Strain) - "Oncorhynchus clarki utah"
* Rainbow trout - "Oncorhynchus mykiss"
* Kokanee Salmon - "Oncorhynchus nerka"
* Crayfish (commonly called Crawdads)
* Utah chub - "Gila atraria"

References

External links

* [http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/strawberry/ Strawberry Reservoir] - Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
* [http://www.utahoutdooractivities.com/strawberryreservoir.html Utah Outdoor Activities]
* [http://www.utahfishinginfo.com/utahlakes/strawberry.php Strawberry Reservoir fishing]