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Pineview Reservoir is located approximately 10 miles east of Ogden, Utah. It is a large irrigation reservoir that is often lowered annually by 15-20' to meet water rights needs downstream. It is also a culinary water source with a water treatment facility directly below the dam. Snowpack runoff flows into Pineview Reservoir and usually fills it. Such fluctuations in elevations create many issues for the sportfish species and anglers fishing for Yellow Perch, Black Crappies and Tiger Muskies in particular.

Although panfish populations can be cyclical in nature, Pineview Reservoir often experiences extremes, with a single-year class completely dominating the population. This can happen in any of the bluegill, black crappie, and/or yellow perch populations. Protection of younger individuals has often been thought of in terms of littoral cover, often unavailable in 'normal' water years due to irrigation demand drawdown. Recent findings in Europe have indicated that deep water habitats may be key in protecting these vulnerable life history stages (yellow perch in particular). FY19, FY20, and FY23 work showed that fish were actually using the structures, and providing additional areas

Although there is currently no evidence to suggest that Pineview is in danger of a collapse of the forage assemblage, water use trends have diminished the number of years that water remains at an elevation conducive to the good survival of young fish. Water demand will not drop, and ensuring that there is some nursery and escape habitat for young fish will likely be important. Video monitoring has shown heavy use of previously installed structures. Pineview Reservoir is located 10 miles east of Ogden Utah on the Ogden River. Habitats will be placed in the middle arm of the reservoir between the Cemetery Point and the Browning Point. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) conducted Young Of Year (YOY) sampling efforts in deep water habitats on several reservoirs in the Northern Region. The UDWR found YOY Yellow Perch occupied specific depths in the water column where dissolved oxygen was too low for larger fish but sustained these small fish and provided protection. During the summer months when the reservoirs are stratified, this strategy is very effective for YOY perch to avoid predation. However, as the reservoirs turnover in the fall, the water mixes and YOY perch are susceptible to predation. Installing artificial habitats has proven worthwhile and beneficial to protecting this vulnerable age class of perch. These structures help stabilize the boom and bust cycles of perch that UDWR often sees in other reservoirs. The structures address our predation issue.

The UDWR does not see that a collapse of the Yellow Perch and Black Crappie is imminent, but the Pineview Reservoir is an older reservoir. The flooded brush and trees are now gone except along the shoreline. Massive erosion along the shores and high runoff flows bring in high bedloads of sediment every year. The UDWR is proposing to improve the panfish fishery by adding more artificial habitats to this reservoir. Since 2018, the UDWR has added artificial habitats in all three arms in Pineview Reservoir. Monitoring these habitats via sonar, underwater cameras, and through angling, UDWR has determined these habitats are extremely beneficial and highly used. Underwater cameras used within days after installation, shoe immediate use by perch and crappies. With yearly fluctuations of water levels between 20-30 feet from full pool, these artificial habitats provide some of the only cover for YOY yellow perch in the reservoir. The UDWR is proposing to add close to 200 additional structures in the middle arm where we currently have about 30. They will be placed in mixed heights and in small groups spread out over a contour of depth similar to the other structures. This depth in 2021 when Pineview was drawn down to 16% capacity, these previous structures ranged from 5-20 feet under the surface and were heavily utilized by fish. The photos shared are those of the reservoir, some rock piles we moved into a reservoir in piles and small groups, and previous habitats being placed.

1. Place 150 artificial structures in additional portions of the deep, hypolimnetic areas of Pineview Reservoir to protect young panfish (yellow perch, primarily) from predation by June 30, 2026.
2. Provide increased angling opportunities over a larger area for anglers by 30% in the Middle Arm to pursue Yellow Perch and Black Crappie relative to previous structures installed.
3. Provide habitats in aging reservoirs to sustain and recruit more YOY Yellow Perch each year to combat the boom and bust cycles that are so often found in our reservoirs.
4. As part of a larger study, these habitats will also be used to watch the movements of Tiger Muskie in Pineview Reservoir. This study will begin in the Spring of 2025 using tagged muskies from the hatchery and adults from the reservoir.

Based on past survey work of previously installed artificial habitats, the UDWR has observed each habitat being used by many young yellow perch. We have documented the use of these structures and the depth where they are placed as a very important resource to protecting and recruiting more yellow perch into the catchable age classes anglers want. One of our objectives is to add enough artificial habitats into aging reservoirs, so we can stabilize the boom and bust cycles typical of yellow perch. Additionally, we want to provide anglers with additional angling opportunities and areas to fish. We would like to spread them out a bit more. This project will benefit yellow perch, and black crappie, provide a food source for those species as well as Tiger muskie and more angler opportunities as fish survive.

Pineview Reservoir is owned by the U.S. Forest Service. The public is allowed to fish in this reservoir from multiple access points for free. Fishing on the reservoir from a boat costs a launch fee but the entire reservoir is accessible to the public. There are currently 13 free public parking areas for anglers to access Pineview Reservoir. There are three boat ramps located around the reservoir.

The UDWR has documented how effective previous artificial habitats have been in recruiting more fish into the system and providing more angling opportunities. We have documented the use of these habitats year-round and understand the importance of the habitats for young fish survival. In the fall, once the reservoirs turnover, these structures become very important for young fish but we have also documented crappies and perch of larger sizes on the outside edges. The habitats are snag free or very close to it, if anglers fish the structures, they will catch fish. The UDWR expects perch populations to continue to grow and stabilize because of the survival of more young from predaton which means more fish for anglers to catch.

• Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, and Tiger Muskie

• Siltation
• Mudflats/shallowness
• Large water fluctuations

• Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
• State Wildlife Action Plan

Place artificial habitat structures in deep water areas of Pineview Reservoir generally in close proximity to spawning areas of primary panfish species. The goal is to place structures in 'patches' of approximately 0.1- 0.25 acre areas. Aquatics biologists will be consulted to target the most advantageous areas for the structures. It is likely that locations for structures will be expand the areas where previous habitats have been placed. This phase will concentrate heavily on the Middle Fork arm as previous phases have focused on the north and south forks. A large crew of volunteers will meet and assemble the structures on the beaches while the Aquatics crew deploys the structures via their large boat. Habitats will be on the same contours previously mapped as part of other projects to maintain no boating hazards.

Area will be mapped with down scan and side scan sonar to document habitation and size of treated area. If water clarity permits, underwater video will be taken to show use of these areas and to corroborate findings of sonar. Trend netting will continue at Pineview to document changes in fish assemblage. Angling may be utilized to confirm predatory fish attraction to areas w/ baitfish concentrations. We have conducted shoreline surveys with our electrofishing boat for muskies in the fall and then go look at the structures and mark fish on them at that time as well.

UDWR has actively engaged with partners such as the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Anglers, Chapter 65 of Muskies Inc., and dedicated hunters who volunteer their time to help fish and wildlife in the state of Utah. We usually contact the city and county leaders as well to see if they want to help as well. After we have installed all of the structures, the UDWR will usually make a post about the habitats on social media. This past year, the habitat post was one of the top ten most viewed posts we had in the region. It was very popular and very well received.

After we have installed all of the structures, the UDWR will usually make a post about the habitats on social media. This past year, the habitat post was one of the top ten most viewed posts we had in the region. It was very popular and very well received. The UDWR also does a press release and invites local news, papers and reporters to come watch the installation and ask questions. They will usually ask for photos and videos to write a story. This work has been a very positive topic for UDWR and its constituents.
The data we collect is typically a visual look with sonar, pictures and video with underwater gear, angler reports or biologists taking time to fish the structures. We use the photos and videos as part of the new releases and social media posts.

The use of these habitats will be very effective in light of changes to climate and large fluctuations in reservoir levels due to increasing demands on the water. They are in dpeths that unless the reservoir is completely drained, they will stay functional as habitat. All previous habitats were in 5-20 feet of water at 16% capacity in 2021. UDWR placed these structures and the news ones at an elevation to be effective amidst all the changes of water throughout a water season.

UDWR has started to track the square feet of each distinct habitat installed for a total measurement. This does not however, show the acreage that is covered with spaces in between each structure. During deployment, UDWR will track the locations and numbers of structures to estimate the acreage impacted by these new structures and total acreage combined with past projects.

Please limit your proposed budget amounts to the grant period. You are responsible for accounting for the Non-Federal match as part of grant completion.

Note: Based on 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Biological Scientists in State government made an average of $33.23/hr. Volunteers are often valued at $29.95/hr.

For this grant, all $20,000.00 will go to purchasing artificial habitats from Pond King, Mossback and Fishiding to be placed in Pineview Reservoir in the Middle Arm. This money will only be used in this reservoir to be used as a match for the state funds.

UDWR anticipates that the help from the two local fishing chapters of Muskies, Inc. and Rocky Mountain Anglers will be to assemble and places all the structures over the course of two to three days. This money requested will be more than I have ever requested and will take more time and effort to assemble and install.

This project is planned, designed, and will be carried out by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and volunteers. The DWR has installed habitat structures since 2018 and led all of those efforts.