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-6- <br />Results <br />Catch rates for the first eight months of 1977 were similar to the <br />same period-in 1976 (Table 1). There was some decline in catch rates by <br />boat fishermen in the open hills (28%) and by canyon shore fishermen (19%). <br />This, however, was offset somewhat by a 15 percent increase in the catch <br />rate by canyon boat fishermen. The highest catch-rates occurred in the <br />canyon area (Figure 1) of the lake, 0.31 and 0.21 fish/hour for boat and <br />shore fishing, respectively. <br />The overall catch rate on the reservoir declined by 8% from 1976 to <br />1977 (0.25 to 0.23 fish/hr). This decrease was considerably smaller <br />than the 58 percent decline from 1975 to 1976 (Lund et al. 1976). This <br />small decrease may not be significant since only the first eight months <br />of 1976 and 1977 were compared. Catch rates in the canyon remained rela- <br />tively constant throughout the period (Table 2) except for a decrease in <br />April. The open hills catch-rates increased throughout the period until <br />Table 1. Mean catch rate (fish/hr) by area and boat-shore for Flaming <br />Gorge Reservoir, Jan. through Aug., 1977 and 1976. <br />Type Year Canyon Open Hills Inflow Average <br />Boat 1977 0.31 0.23 0.13 0.24 <br />1976 0.27 0.32 o.14 0.27 <br />Shore 1977 0.21 0.17 0.15 0.18 <br />1976 0.26 o.18 o.16 0.20 <br />August, when they declined. In the inflow area the highest catch rate <br />occurred during the winter ice fishing period, although sample sizes at <br />that time make this estimate less reliable. May was the best fishing