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Wildlife officials seek suspect after bass killed with illegal net in Provo

Posted at 7:26 PM, Jun 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-09 10:56:31-04
Bass illegally killed with a net in the Provo River. Images courtesy Utah DWR.

Bass illegally killed with a net in the Provo River. Images courtesy Utah DWR.

PROVO, Utah — More than 130 bass were illegally killed in the Provo River, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is asking for help finding those responsible.

Wildlife officers found an illegal net under the Center Street bridge in Provo, which is near where the Provo River connects with Utah Lake, on May 27 after an angler got a line snagged on the net and reported it.

Bass illegally killed with a net in the Provo River. Images courtesy Utah DWR.

Bass illegally killed with a net in the Provo River. Images courtesy Utah DWR.

Officers watched the net for several days, but when no one came for the fish they removed the net from the water. A total of 132 bass were found dead inside the net, and more fish had come loose and washed down stream.

DWR stated: “The total loss of fish resulting from this net was valued high enough to make this violation a third-degree felony.”

Anyone with information about the illegal net is asked to call the Utah Turn in a Poacher hotline at 800-662-3337. Tipsters can also call Officer Sean Spencer at 801-618-8945 or email him at seanspencer@Utah.gov.

The release from the DWR states rewards may be available for information on this case, but no specific details were mentioned.