- Administrative Checkpoints - Tiger Trout DWR to Conduct Administrative Checkpoints Across Utah The Division of Wildlife Resources is planning a number of administrative checkpoints across Utah this summer and fall. Checkpoints, once called roadblocks, provide a way to contact many people along the state's transportation arteries. Anglers and hunters can expect to encounter one or more of these checkpoints during their fishing and hunting trips. Checkpoints are an important tool the DWR uses to monitor compliance with hunting and fishing regulations. Biologists can collect data from anglers and sportsmen and from harvested wildlife. Where necessary, conservation officers can issue citations, seize illegally taken game and make arrests. Checkpoints will be conducted on a variety of highways and roads throughout the state. It's the responsibility of the DWR to protect and conserve Utah's wildlife. By curbing poaching, over-limits and other unlawful activity, the DWR is able to better fulfill its mission to the state's wildlife resource and the general public. ### Contact: Brent Stettler, DWR Southeastern Region Conservation Outreach Manager (435) 636-0266 Thousands of Tigers Released in Utah (Trout That Is!) For many Utah anglers, the tiger trout is becoming one of the state's most sought after game fish. They are best known for their strong fight and unusual beauty. Tiger trout are a hybrid between a male brown trout and a female brook trout. This hybridization creates a trout with a unique, dark, maze-like pattern over its brownish gray body. Its belly and lower fins are yellowish orange. Because it's sterile, the tiger trout is unable to reproduce and does not pose a threat of further hybridization with other trout species. They co-exist well with other fish species, and anglers are rapidly inquiring about how to add one of these gorgeous fish to their creel. Historically, only a limited number of tiger trout have been raised at Division of Wildlife Resources' fish hatcheries. With updated hatcheries coming online -- which allow more efficient use of water -- production has increased dramatically during the last year. "The Fountain Green Hatchery has been raising tiger trout for a little over 10 years now and other hatcheries, such as the Loa and Egan hatcheries, have raised tiger trout as well," said Eddie Hanson, Fountain Green Hatchery assistant supervisor. "In the past, we have only been able to raise about 15,000 tiger trout [at the old Fountain Green Hatchery] but with the newly-constructed Fountain Green Hatchery facility, we are raising over 300,000 tiger trout this year alone." Tiger trout are now found in approximately 40 fishing waters throughout Utah, including Huntington, East Canyon, Hyrum, Joe's Valley, Palisade and Rockport reservoirs and Panguitch Lake. Some of the fees from fishing license sales are used for hatchery improvements, which allows more fish to be raised to meet angler demands. Increased tiger trout production is just one example of how angler license fees are improving Utah's fisheries. ### Contact: Scott Root, DWR Central Region Conservation Outreach Manager (801) 491-5656
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