2009 waterfowl hunt opener conditions

Clear Lake, Topaz Slough, Redmond and Bicknell Bottoms Waterfowl Management Areas

Marsh conditions: The spring flows at Clear Lake have remained low the entire year. This results in less available water to be used by ducks and hunters. The area south of the county road, units one and two, are in great condition. North of the county road has some water in units three and four but is drier with water filling these units as it becomes more available due to cooling temperatures in the fall.

Marsh conditions at Topaz Slough are poor this year with 80 percent of the marsh dry although there is some good habitat available where the water is found. Topaz will get drier as irrigation stops.

Redmond has good conditions on small impoundments.

Bicknell Bottoms has excellent conditions.

Water conditions: All units south of the county road will have good amounts of water in them for the opening; the units north of the county road will be filling as the water becomes available as the weather cools down. Please remember that Clear Lake is very shallow for boats.

Water at Topaz Slough is poor at this point but will be decreasing as the season progresses.

Water conditions at Redmond are good on small impoundments.

Good water at Bicknell Bottoms.

Waterfowl use: At Clear Lake duck numbers are increasing as the season progresses with good numbers of ducks showing up as soon as it gets colder. They are expected to continue increasing with peak numbers around December 1. Some of the yellow neck collared geese that have been transplanted in Millard county are using Clear Lake at this time.

Good numbers of ducks are using Redmond, and Bicknell Bottoms. These marshes are generally better early in the season.

This year's opening should be similar to last year's with about one duck per hunter.

Other items:

• Youth hunt will be held on September 19, 2008.
• All of the areas listed are very hard to use a boat on because they are very shallow.
• Camping is allowed in parking lots, and fires are acceptable.
• ATVs are prohibited on all areas listed.
• The hours for shooting have been changed on the opening day of the pheasant hunt. Check the Waterfowl Guidebook.

Enjoy the areas and good luck!