Local youth cast lines into the fishing ponds during the Carbon County Fair last weekend.
Collected by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists and technicians, the fish were left overnight at the county fairgrounds in three large plastic ponds.
On Friday night, the DWR office in Price indicates that an unidentified subject or subjects apparently decided to play with the fish.
After reportedly catching the fish by hand and throwing them around, the individual or individuals unplugged the aerator for the three ponds.
The vandalism incident resulted in a massive die-off of approximately 200 fish. The surviving fish were stressed and near death.
Hundreds of youth spent hours trying to catch the remaining fish on Saturday. But only four were caught the entire day, ruining the free fishing experience for the children, noted the local DWR office.
The state agency encourages Carbon County residents with information regarding the incident to contact Roger Kerstetter at the Price DWR office at 636-0260. Residents may also call the help stop poaching hotline toll-free at 1-800-662-DEER.
Callers may remain anonymous.
Residents with information about vandalism incident encouraged to contact DWR
