Wildlife Sactuary

At The Lost Dutchman Resort, many of our managing principles are modeled from the National Park Services.  One of our primary objectives is to maintain and preserve natural resources and emulate the values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.  We cooperate with our members and community partners to extend the benefits of resource conservation and premiere outdoor recreation. 

Safety note:  Watch out for Bear encounters.  See, “Living with Bears.” and, “What to do if you encounter a Bear.”

One of our most fragile natural resources is our lakes and fish.  We must all do our part to protect our lakes and fish from pollution and harmful fishing practices.  Our rules and regulations are our guide to best accomplish this, and we invite your feedback on how to better protect our environment for all to enjoy! 

Caring for our fish…   We want to care for and conserve our fish populations, so we encourage primarily catch and release.  And we want to provide prudent and enjoyable catch and keep experiences.  In summary, our fish conservatory policies endeavor to maintain a premiere Sport Fishing venue, and not designed to provide a food/sustenance source.

The Lost Dutchman Resort spends huge money in providing a world-class Sport Fishing experience (see Fish Stocking Event  page as well as our Prize Fish webpage).  Maintaining our fish resources is not possible without conservatory support from our members.  Please follow limits set in our rules and regulations such as size of fish, total number of fish, allowed time frames, and respecting “Catch and Release” designated areas.  Penalties such as harsh fines or revoked/non-reimbursed membership may be exercised.

Here are some helpful practices for proper Catch and Release Fishing.  Follow these few simple rules and your fish will have the best chance of surviving:

• To release a fish, keep it in the water if you can.  Handle the fish as little as possible and avoid holding with dry hands to prevent removal of protective slime coating.  Don’t let the fish bounce on the deck, carpet or on shoreline rocks and gravel.
• Grasp toothy fish like trout across the back of the head, with fingers and thumb holding gill plates closed.  Watch out for sharp edges and if you must hold a fish by putting your hand through the gill opening, avoid touching delicate gill filaments. 
• Don’t keep a fish out of water longer than you can hold your breath and never tear a hook out.  This can harm the fish and it may not live.  If the fish is hooked deeply and you can’t easily remove the hook, cut the line to release the fish.  The hook will rust, dissolve, or become loose without harming the fish.
• If you are using bait or lures that are frequently swallowed and deep hooking is likely to be a problem, use barbless hooks.  Unhooking your catch with barbless hooks is faster, easier and healthier for the fish.
• If a fish loses consciousness, try to revive it by gently moving it forward and backward so water moves through its gills.  When the fish begins to struggle and can swim, let it go.   From    http://www.fishrushlake.com/catchandrelease.html
• Keep the fish in the water, let it breath. Taking a fish from the water after playing it is like asking you to run a half marathon then hold your breath for five minutes!
• Measure the fish against your rod or carry a soft measuring tape if you want to estimate its size and weight.
• Take a picture to show your friends.
• Be proud of your contribution to the future of gamefishing.