SALT LAKE CITY — A new person is overseeing Utah's fishing waters and fishing in the state.

Roger Wilson — a veteran fisheries biologist with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources — was chosen to lead the agency's Aquatic Section.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Photo

On March 9, Roger Wilson — a veteran fisheries biologist with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources — was chosen to lead the agency's Aquatic Section.

Wilson, a resident of Coalville, replaces Walt Donaldson, who recently retired.

"I'm proud of what our biologists and fish hatchery personnel have accomplished over the past few years," Wilson says. "Utah offers some of the best and most diverse fishing in the country."

Wilson says the agency's biologists could not have accomplished what they have without the help and the support of Utah's anglers. "We've established a great working relationship with anglers across Utah," he says. "We look forward to the success we'll continue to find as we work together."

Wilson says the agency's Aquatic Section and the agency itself are facing some challenges, including funding challenges. "But I know we can work through these challenges and continue to provide Utah's anglers with great fishing."

Wilson's career with the UDWR started in 1978 when he was hired as the agency's high mountain lakes fisheries biologist. In 1991, he became the lead aquatic biologist at Strawberry Reservoir. Then, in 2006, he came to the UDWR's Salt Lake City office to serve as the agency's sportfish coordinator.

The sport fisheries coordinator responsibilities were split later in 2006. Drew Cushing was put in charge of the state's warm water fisheries, freeing Wilson up to focus on Utah's cold water fisheries and the state's native cutthroat trout program.

A new cold water sport fisheries coordinator should be named within the next month.