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Utah Fishing Reports
| Fishing Reports for Utah. If you have a report for your area send it to us at reports@bobberstop.com. Please put "Fishing Report" in the subject line of your e-mail and please don't forget to include the location. |
** Last Update was made on 5 - 8 - 08 ***
UTAH FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS.
NORTHERN REGION - CAUSEY RESERVOIR: Causey is ice-free!!! Fair fishing for some splake
and trout. The fish I have seen are skinny/smaller. Report by Conservation Officer Dave Beveridge.
COMMUNITY FISHING AREAS: At urban ponds, anglers are catching smaller trout recently planted
but by the time this gets out, I am betting it is slow. Report by Conservation Officer Dave Beveridge.
CUTLER RESERVOIR: On Wednesday April 30, I talked to two fishermen fishing from Valley View
Highway and they reported that fishing was slow. There have been reports of good fishing for big
crappie, so this area would be good to keep an eye on for panfish, walleye and bass as weather
warms up. Report by Phil Douglass.
HYRUM RESERVOIR: The reservoir is filling fast and is only about 15 feet from the high water mark!
No fishing activity was observed. Report by Phil Douglass.
MANTUA RESERVOIR: On Wednesday April 30, the reservoir had good access conditions but I
observed no anglers on the water—the windy, snowy weather was keeping most people from
venturing out. Observation from Phil Douglass.
OGDEN RIVER: Lower Ogden River is slow/fair fishing right now. I have not seen many fish caught
on the lower Ogden. South Fork is getting high flows. Report by Conservation Officer Dave
Beveridge.
PINEVIEW RESERVOIR: Anglers are catching black crappie in the shallower inlet areas on the east
side and they're catching some of the biggest black crappie I have ever seen!!! Some are at max
growth and I don't think they can get any bigger. Use a small jig with slow retrieve. Report by
Conservation Officer Dave Beveridge.
CENTRAL REGION - DEER CREEK RESERVOIR: (May 1) Open Water. Angler Cliff spent all day
bottom bouncing for walleye without any luck for walleye (Cliff states that a couple of rainbows were
picked up by accident). Angler Gary reports "Water temperature was about 45 to 47 degrees—
didn't come up much because the wind kicked in about 10:30. We were on the lake fishing by 7:00 a.
m.—caught fish early by trolling leadcore with 100 feet of line out at about 2.2 mph (GPS) with a J-7
Rapala in both Rainbow Trout and Perch in Rainbow Bay and around the corner along the highway
and over to the Island. Rainbow trout proved to be the best lure overall. Caught a total of about 12
fish (14 to 18 rainbows) before the wind and cold made the day unpleasant (we quit about noon).
Caught fish from 100 to 175 feet of line out. Also picked up several smaller rainbows on downrigger
at 20 feet down (35 to 50 feet of setback) using small Perch Rapala Taildancer in the bay where
Deer Creek comes into the reservoir. Didn't see others having much success, but we weren't near a
bunch of other boats either, so I can't say for sure."
Please remember that the trout limit is four statewide unless otherwise noted in the guidebook.
Yellow perch limit is 10 but you must keep all perch you catch from January 1 through April 30.
Remember that the bass limit is six, but immediately release all bass over 12 inches long. Walleye
limit is 10 but only one over 24 inches may be kept.
JORDANELLE RESERVOIR: (May 1) Open water and success is described as fair to good by using
various trolling and jigging techniques from boats and traditional baits from shoreline have
produced fair success. Bass limit is six, but immediately release all bass over 12 inches long. Perch
limit is 50! Please remember not to fillet bass or remove heads or tails because of the size
restriction (for law enforcement purposes).
STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR: (May 1) Ice fishing is not recommended. A recently drilled hole
showed several layers of bad ice, slush, water, etc. Only about six to eight inches of the ice was
considered somewhat solid but there are several cracks on the ice surface, a lot of slush in places
and water level is rising which provides unsafe conditions around the edges. Though yesterday's
storm froze up the edges a bit, warmer weather can make ice weak in a short amount of time. A little
bit of open water at the ladders and Indian Creek. DWR biologist Justin Robinson guesstimates
another two to three weeks before ice off, depending on weather and wind. Regulations for the
reservoir include an aggregate limit of four trout or kokanee salmon. No more than two of which may
be cutthroat trout under 15 inches and no more than one may be a cutthroat over 22 inches long.
All cutthroat between 15 and 22 inches must be immediately released (any trout with cutthroat
markings is considered a cutthroat). Don't feel compelled to harvest fish on every trip. Please do
your part to ensure the future of this heavily utilized fishery by voluntarily releasing fish!
UTAH LAKE: (May 1) Ice free. Not much walleye success. Angler Danny reports "I caught 25 pre-
spawn male white bass at Lincoln Beach yesterday in the strong wind and waves on everything I
threw. I also picked up a three-pound channel cat on my second pole "deadstick" on a dead fish."
Angler Scott reports "I fished Utah Lake (Provo Boat Harbor) today from about 3 p.m. til 6 p.m. I
started off fishing where the river goes into the lake and had no luck. So I moved into the marina
where the sailboats dock and immediately started getting hits. I fished in the marina for about two
hours and it was non-stop action. I ended up keeping five white bass and had a good-sized cat on
but he snapped my line, no problem. I was using a shrimp tipped with a worm off the bottom. All in all
a good outing though." Largemouth and smallmouth bass limit is six, but immediately release all
largemouth and smallmouth bass over 12 inches long. For more information on conditions call Utah
Lake State Park at (801) 375-0731.
YUBA RESERVOIR: (May 1) Open water. Walleye numbers are up but fishing success for perch and
walleye is slow to fair. Not too many rainbow trout in the reservoir. Please keep walleye. New
regulations on perch began on January 1 which now allow anglers to keep 10 perch. For more info
call the State Park at (435) 758-2611.
BURRASTON POND: (May 1) Stocked. Fishing success is fair to good. Most anglers are using
PowerBait.
MILL HOLLOW: Drained! No fishing until 2009!
PAYSON LAKE: (May 1) Gate to Payson Lake is locked, therefore no access to the lakes except as
reported by Conservation Officer Shawn Bagley...by snowmobile. They anticipate opening gate in
mid-May.
SALEM POND: (May 1) Stocked with fair success reported for trout. The park closes at 10:00 p.m.
each night. Remember that regulations include: limit of four fish (Daily bag and possession limit is a
total of four fish in the aggregate for all species, for example: one trout, two channel catfish and one
bluegill.
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY WATERS: (May 1) Most community ponds have been stocked and fishing
success is fair to good.
SPANISH OAKS RESERVOIR: (May 1) Open water, stocked and good success. Worms work best.
SPRING LAKE: (May 1) Stocked. Anglers report fair to good success. Catfish success is slow.
TIBBLE FORK RESERVOIR: (May 1) Fair success for trout. Most anglers using traditional baits.
VERNON, GRANSTVILLE & SETTLEMENT CANYON RESERVOIR: (Tooele Co.) (May 1) Vernon is
stocked—good fishing success reported. Grantsville & Settlement report fair fishing success.
AMERICAN FORK RIVER: (May 1) Fair fishing success reported by using worms or small flies.
DIAMOND FORK RIVER: (May 1) Light fishing pressure and fair success by using flies, worms or
lures. Most cutts in the areas above three forks are similar in size (about 10 to 12 inches).
HOBBLE CREEK & CATCH BASIN: (May 1) Stocked! Fair fishing success in the catch basin and
creek.
PROVO RIVER: (May 1) Water level was not too high and clarity looks fairly good below both
Jordanelle and Deer Creek dams. Hares ear, sow bugs, and other small surface flies and bottom-
bouncing nymphs are producing fair to good success. Read the fishing proclamation for the
different regulations on the river—some areas allow bait and others do not. Size restrictions and
reduced limits ("two brown trout under 15 inches") are in place in some stretches.
THISTLE CREEK: (May 1) Fair success by using flies, lures or worms.
NORTHEASTERN REGION - BIG SAND WASH RESERVOIR: Reservoir is ice-free and filling.
Several anglers reported good fishing as the ice came off.
BROUGH RESERVOIR: Reservoir is ice-free and is almost full. Water is slightly murky. Fishing was
slow but the fish are nice sized. To get to Brough, take State Route 88 south from US Route 40
(Ouray Road). Turn west at the second dirt road past the high power lines—it should be signed.
Follow this road approximately two miles following the signs. Road can be quite rutted.
BROWNIE / SPIRIT LAKE: No new reports. Check ice condition carefully before venturing out.
Roads closed, accessible by skis or snowmobile. Warning: Whirling disease was found in this area.
Please make sure to clean, dry and sterilize waders, live wells and other fishing gear before
venturing to another water. Also do not clean fish or dump fish parts taken from one water into
another lake or stream, as this will also move whirling disease.
BULLOCK / COTTONWOOD RESERVOIRS: Anglers report of fair to good fishing for rainbows and
slow for other fish. Both reservoirs are now ice-free and they are being filled. Reservoirs are located
approximately five miles north of the town of Gusher.
CALDER / CROUSE RESERVOIRS: No new reports as several big drifts keep anglers out. No road
access yet due to snow drifts and mud. Calder regulations include: flies and lures only, no baits; all
fish under 22 inches must be released immediately; bag limit is one fish over 22 inches.
CURRANT CREEK RESERVOIR: Lake has ice, but no recent reports. Older reports were fair to
good fishing. Check ice edge thickness carefully before venturing out. Area received more snow last
week. The road was kept open to the dam.
EAST PARK / OAKS PARK: No new reports, roads are closed so access by skis or snowmobile.
Reservoirs likely have ice. Check ice edge condition carefully before venturing out as reservoirs are
likely being filled.
FLAMING GORGE: Launching boats is possible at Cedar Springs and Mustang ramps. The canyon
up reservoir is mostly frozen from about Skull Creek. The Sheep Creek, Antelope and Lucerne
areas have open water but be aware of large and small chunks of floating ice making navigation
difficult and dangerous. In Wyoming, ice appears to be weaker and is melting around the edges but
it may still be a while before boats are able to launch.
Lake Trout Fishing: As ice conditions deteriorate there will be good fishing for 16- to 24-inch lake
trout on most areas near the ice. Look for continued good fishing for smaller lake trout in the
Confluence, Buckboard, Marsh Creek, Current Creek, Anvil Draw, Skunk Cliffs and any other
locations in 30 to 70 feet of water near the old river channel. As the areas open up, try trolling or
jigging from boats.
Use tube jigs in white, chartreuse, glow or brown tipped with a small chunk of sucker or chub meat.
Airplane jigs and jigging spoons also work. Fishing is usually best early in the morning or later in the
afternoon. Use no stretch line to feel strikes and set the hook better. A graph helps to see
suspended fish and put your jig in their face. Unlike their larger relatives, the smaller lake trout are
excellent table fair with orange flesh and taste as good or better than a rainbow when cooked up on
the grill.
There's an overabundance of lake trout under 28 inches in the Gorge so do your part to help the
fishery and keep a limit of eight fish. Larger lake trout should be good from Big Bend south to Anvil
Draw and Swim Beach. Remember, only one fish over 28 inches may be kept. Use larger tube jigs,
spoons and other lures through the ice or trolling. Big lake trout can eat big food so lures and jigs
can be big also.
Kokanee Fishing: Ice fishing for kokanee is almost always slow if they can be found at all so fishing
will improve as the ice melts.
Rainbow Fishing: Before poor ice conditions started there was good fishing for rainbows on most of
the reservoir. After ice out, look for larger rainbows around boat ramps. Older fish return to areas
where they were stocked in an attempt to spawn. Fish as large as 24 inches can be caught. Shore
anglers will have the best fishing of the year from ice out until mid-May as rainbows will be shallow
and close to shore searching for food. Anglers can use marshmallows and worms, flies such as
wooly buggers, minnow imitation plugs, spinners and jigs to catch fish from shore. If fishing from a
boat, try casting to shore using the same types of lures or long line lures while trolling shallow.
Planer boards also work well to get lures close to shore without spooking fish with the boat.
Burbot (Ling) Fishing: Ice fishing for burbot may still be possible in the Wyoming end of the reservoir
but be careful of ice conditions. After ice out, fishing should continue to be good for burbot as long
a water temps are cool in shallow water. Fishing from a boat, at night in water from 10 to 30 feet
using glow jigs should work well for high catch rates. Areas like Firehole, Lost Dog, Sage Creek,
Confluence, Buckboard, Holmes Crossing, Anvil Draw, Skunk Cliffs and Marsh Creek are good
places to try.
If you can still fish from the ice, locate flats and points near the old river channel. (Fishing out of a
boat should be good after ice out with similar techniques as ice fishing.) Try fishing with jigs late in
the afternoon, early morning or at night on points coming into reservoir. Use glow tube or curly tail
jigs two to three inches in size about 1/8 to 1/4 ounce in weight. Jigging spoons and jigging rapalas
also work well. Tipping with sucker or crayfish meat will help catch fish. Use of smelly jelly or similar
scents in crayfish seem to help. These fish are in depths from 20 to 70 feet but seem to be caught
most recently in 40 to 60 feet mostly in the Wyoming end of the reservoir. Some reports of fast
catch rates.
If fishing in Utah try rocky points on Antelope Flat, Linwood Bay or Sheep Creek. November netting
in the area north of Buckboard has shown a large increase in the number of burbot present. Larger
fish are 30 inches and up to four or five pounds. Burbot activity increases under the ice as these
fish spawn in winter.
These fish must be harvested if caught in Utah to help control their population as they were illegally
introduced to the upper Green River drainage and could have a major impact on other fish species.
There is no limit on burbot but you cannot waste the burbot in the Wyoming end of the reservoir and
they can be released there. However, please don't release any of these fish as they have been
eating large amounts of crayfish and are also consuming kokanee salmon, smallmouth bass and
other critical food sources for other fish species. They could have an extreme impact on the
reservoir fishery and should be removed by fishermen.
Burbot are an excellent eating fish with white, flaky flesh that is similar to a perch. They can be
breaded and fried or boiled and dipped in melted butter. You can use six lines on the ice in
Wyoming so take advantage of tip-ups and harvest some burbot. By law, be sure you have your
name on your tip-ups and tend only your lines if you are fishing in a group.
Smallmouth Bass Fishing: Smallmouth fishing is slow, as smallmouth tend not to bite well at temps
near or below 50 degrees. Use twist tail grubs on lead head jigs or small plastic worms, sinkos,
twitch and crankbaits in about 5 to 30 feet of water off rocky shorelines and points. Crayfish
imitation colors will work the best. Drop shot techniques will also work. Launching boats is possible
at Cedar Springs and Mustang ramps.
GREEN RIVER: (upper) The flows on the river are currently 800 cfs. Due to low inflows into the
reservoir in 2007, flows should remain steady at 800 cfs throughout the winter to conserve water.
Visit the Bureau of Reclamation Web site for the latest information on flows.
Fishing on the river was picking up and midge hatches are occurring as air temps warm. Nymphing
is still probably the best technique but streamers are also working. Watch for baetis hatches as they
usually occur in April. Please remember the slot limit size range has changed from 13 to 20 inches
to 15 to 22 inches to make regulations more consistent statewide.
Nymphing with glo-bugs and San Juan worms with smaller nymphs trailering was the workhorse.
Small midge patterns work some days. Streamers are working well and have been extremely good
some days. Try size 2-4 buggers such as Goldilox and patterns in olive, pink and white. Spin
fishermen should try small rapalas (floating, countdown and husky jerk); small spinners; black,
brown or olive marabou jigs; and small jigs. Please check to see that your tube jigs contain no fish
attracting scents, as they are illegal to use in the river. New Zealand Mudsnail densities have
dramatically increased in several localized areas near Little Hole, and have been documented in
most areas of the river. Please thoroughly clean mud and vegetation from waders, boats and fishing
gear; and if possible, completely dry equipment before leaving the area. A hot water bath (120° F)
will kill mudsnails, and spraying equipment with 409 or a similar soap solution before drying will
increase effectiveness.
GREEN RIVER: (lower) Water level is low and the river is ice-free. No reports from anglers.
MATT WARNER RESERVOIR: No new reports as large drifts block access.
MOON LAKE: No new reports. Should be good fishing as observed at lakes at similar elevations.
Check the edges carefully as the water level should be rising.
PELICAN LAKE: Ice is off but cold weather and high winds have kept the lake waters from warming.
Anglers reporting a few early bass, bluegill are few and far between. As the water warms, fishing will
pick up. Pelican did not have a severe winterkill as some anglers have reported. Division biologists
were one of the first groups out on the reservoir as they watched the ice out carefully. They did see
some dead fish along the shoreline but do not believe it is because of a major die-off. Their reports
on the fish kill is more inline with angling mortality and possibly a few lethal pockets, which are
common for Pelican.
RED FLEET RESERVOIR: Reservoir open although there may still be a few ice chunks floating
around. Anglers have reported good fishing for trout as the ice melted.
STARVATION RESERVOIR: Reservoir is ice free and near full. Anglers report good fishing for trout
including several larger browns being taken
STEINAKER RESERVOIR: Reservoir is ice-free and being filled. Anglers report good fishing for
rainbows and a few browns also being taken. No reports of bass or bluegill yet.
UINTA MOUNTAIN LAKES AND STREAMS: No new reports. Lakes and streams have ice but check it
carefully before venturing out. Fishing success on mountain lakes and streams can be spotty so if
one isn't producing try moving to another. With over 400 managed fisheries on the South Slope
alone, it's easy to find a new place to fish. Always go prepared for serious weather, as the Uinta
Mountains are well known for frequent unexpected storms and high winds. Note: The Uinta
Mountains have a four-trout limit with a bonus of four more brook trout — see proclamation for
details.
SOUTHEASTERN REGION - BENCHES & BOULGERS RESERVOIR: These small ponds remain
hidden by snow and ice.
CLEVELAND RESERVOIR: This reservoir remains completely frozen. Further ice fishing is not
recommended.
ELECTRIC LAKE: The lake remains frozen. Please stay off until the spring thaw.
FAIRVIEW LAKES: Both lakes are covered by snow and ice.
GIGLIOTTI POND: A fair number of large albino trout may still be seen. The bright yellow torpedo-
like fish are easy to spot in the water column. Kids have been having the time of their lives, trying to
entice the behemoths to their bait. Randall Stilson conducted a creel survey and reported rainbow
PowerBait to be the best fish-getter. Next best was nightcrawlers. The best lure was a Jakes Spin-a-
Lure. It's best to fish in the morning. By early afternoon, the wind picks up, and angling success falls
off.
HUNTINGTON CREEK: The creek is open from top to bottom. Patches of snow still linger along the
shoreline at higher elevations. The water is picking up color, due to increasing runoff. Fly fishermen
should try a #10 beadhead Montana. Nightcrawlers and PowerBait are recommended for
baitcasters. Most trout are 11- to 14-inch browns. Lower elevation campgrounds are starting to
open, although the higher elevation grounds remain snowed in.
JOE'S VALLEY RESERVOIR: The reservoir is ice-free. Aquatics Biologist Darek Elverud fished last
Saturday and Sunday. He landed 25 fish in the two days. Most were small splake between 10 and
14 inches with the occasional larger trout. His biggest fish was a 21-inch cutthroat. Darek
recommends chub meat or jigs tipped with chub meat. Crankbaits can also be effective. Darek
fished by the dam, at the mouth of Seely Creek and north of the creek and caught fish at all
locations. Joe's Valley Reservoir has special regulations. Please refer to the 2008 Fishing
Guidebook.
LAKE POWELL: Visit www.wayneswords.com for the latest fishing report, provided by Wayne
Gustaveson, DWR project leader. The above link reports on the multi-agency effort to keep quagga
and zebra mussels from populating the lake.
LASAL MOUNTAINS: Conservation Officer TJ Robertson reports that Ken's Lake fishing is picking
up, and was good in the past few days with an assortment of baits. Darek Elverud fished Ken's Lake
on May 6. In two hours, he landed 9 largemouth and 4 sunfish. All bass were less than 11 inches.
He used gray or orange plastic worms.
Hidden Lake is now accessible and angler success was fair to good with nightcrawlers and salmon
eggs. Don's Lake is only accessible by 4-wheeler, due to lingering snow drifts, which could melt this
next week. Medicine Lake and Dark Canyon remain inaccessible. The gates to Oowah and Warner
are closed.
LOWER FISH CREEK: Early in the week, Tom Ogden fished the lower stretches from the confluence
with the White River, upstream to the first railroad bridge. The water was fairly clear and a chilly 39
degrees. In 3.5 hours, Tom caught 3 tigers, 1 cutt and 6 browns. All fish ranged from 13 to 16
inches. Tom used floating line and a size 14 hares ear nymph. The water below the confluence is
unfishable, due to heavy run-off.
HUNTINGTON (MAMMOTH) RESERVOIR: This water remains covered with multiple layers of thick
rotten ice and several feet of snow. Ice fishing is definitely not recommended. Please wait for ice-off.
MILLSITE RESERVOIR: No recent report. Rainbow PowerBait has worked well in the recent past.
Trout range from 11 to 13 inches.
SAN JUAN COUNTY: Conservation Officer Paul Washburn reports that both Monticello and Foy
reservoirs are ice-free. Fishing success was fair at Foy and at Blanding 3 and 4, where
marshmallows seem to be the best bait. Fishing was slow at Recapture, where the inflow of cold
water has kept water temperatures low.
SCOFIELD RESERVOIR: The ice cover is receding day by day and a lot of open water is available
for shoreline angling. All of the angler reports indicate excellent fishing with egg sacs. With the
possible exception of minnows, other baits don't perform nearly as well. Fly fishermen have been
most successful with trout egg imitations. Frank Atwood of the Division of Parks and Recreation
indicates that the campgrounds are not open yet, but will be by next weekend. Ramps are expected
to open in a week or so. Frank announced a fishing tournament taking place at Scofield on May 17.
For information on the tournament, call: 435-448-9449 or 435-686-2491.
Bob Olson interviewed anglers on May 6 and reported good fishing from boat or shore for 16- to 18-
inch trout with a few measuring over 20 inches. Successful anglers were using dead minnows or egg
sacs.
Randall Stilson conducted a creel survey on May 4. The west side was muddy and fishing was slow.
The dam cove and east side offered excellent fishing for a mix of tiger and rainbow trout from 1 to 3
pounds. Randall ranked egg sacs as number 1, followed by minnows.
Lieutenant Carl Gramlich and Conservation Officer Ben Riley visited the reservoir last weekend and
reported good fishing with heavy angler pressure. Due to dam spillway reconstruction, traffic delays
of several minutes can be expected around the dam cove. Anglers are reminded that Scofield
tributaries are closed to fishing until the second Saturday in July.
SOUTHERN REGION - NOTE: For more in-depth information on the history and management of
these Southern Utah waters, check out the Hotspots page.
BAKER RESERVOIR: Catchable-sized rainbow trout have been stocked and fishing should be fair to
good using bait, lures, and flies.
BARKER RESERVOIRS, NORTH CREEK LAKES: All lakes are now open to fishing except
Dougherty Basin, which is closed until July 12. Access is still limited, but should open up by June.
Special regulations on many of the Boulder Mountain waters include a trout limit of four of which
only two may be over 14 inches.
BEAVER MOUNTAIN LAKES: Access on the mountain is still restricted to Little Reservoir. Fishing is
slow. There are still snowdrifts blocking the Kent's Lake Road about two miles below Kent's Lake, so
access is probably still a week or two away. All other lakes will be longer.
BEAVER RIVER, LOWER: Irrigation releases from Minersville Res. have begun. Flows should still be
fishable, though turbidity can be a problem. Much of the river is on private property, so please treat
the area with respect. Much of the private land is open to walk-in access, but some is closed to
trespass so watch for signs.
BEAVER RIVER, UPPER: Flows are low and clear. Not much pressure. Please prevent the spread of
whirling disease by cleaning mud from waders and equipment. Do not transport any parts of fish
caught here to other waters.
BOULDER MTN LAKES: All Boulder Mtn. lakes are now open to fishing. Access on most of the
mountain is still limited, but should open up by June. Access to the Boulder Top will be later. Most
lakes are still frozen. Special regulations on many of the Boulder Mountain waters include a trout
limit of four of which only two may be over 14 inches.
CHALK CREEK: Expect high spring flows. Wild rainbows are abundant and can be caught with
spinners and flies. Best fishing is away from the campground and more heavily fished spots. The
North Fork provides a good spot for those willing to hike. Meadow Creek and Pioneer Creek are
other small streams in the area that contain populations of small, wild trout.
CLEAR CREEK: Flows have increased and water has a little color to it but is still very fishable.
Reports of fair to good fishing for small rainbows and browns.
CORN CREEK: Flows are high and turbid. Wild brown trout are abundant and can be caught with
spinners and flies.
DUCK CREEK SPRINGS/ASPEN MIRROR LAKE: Now open to fishing. Catchable-sized rainbows will
be stocked soon.
EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER KINGSTON CANYON: Flows are low and only slightly turbid. A fair
amount of pressure lately, but fishing was slow to fair. Recent sampling found that trout numbers
are down from recent years. Irrigation releases from Otter Creek Res. could begin at any time,
making flows high and turbid. There is public access on a section of Kingston Canyon midway
through the canyon that was purchased through the Blue Ribbon Program. Look for the signs. Most
of the remainder of the canyon is private and posted, so ask permission first.
EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER BLACK CANYON: Flow and turbidity can vary with runoff from higher
elevations. Fishing action should pick up whenever the water is clear. For the section of river from
the BLM property boundary (about four miles south of Antimony) upstream to the confluence with
Deer Creek, special regulations include the use of artificial flies and lures only and a limit of two
trout. Some private land is closed to trespass, so watch for the signs.
EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER ABOVE TROPIC RES: No word on access or fishing conditions.
ENTERPRISE RESERVOIR: (Upper and Lower): The upper reservoir will not be stocked this year.
The reservoir will not be filled past its current level because work on the dam will not be finished
until later this summer. Irrigation needs will drain the reservoir again by summer. The lower reservoir
is full and was stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout. Extra fish have been stocked in the lower
reservoir to help compensate for the loss of the upper reservoir this year.
A fish consumption advisory was issued for rainbow trout in Upper Enterprise Reservoir due to
elevated levels of mercury. It is recommended that adults limit their consumption to one 8-oz portion
per month. Women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children
should limit their consumption to one 2-oz portion per month. For further details, visit www.
fishadvisories.utah.gov.
FISH LAKE: 20 to 50 feet of open water around most of the lake, with a little more at Twin Creek and
on the south end. Fishing was slow to fair at the mouth of Twin Creek, but should pick up soon. The
lake will probably not be ice-free for a couple more weeks. Remember, no boats are allowed on the
lake until ALL of the ice has melted. Very little pressure. When the ice melts a little more it can be a
good time to catch splake from shore. Try jigs tipped with sucker or perch meat. Note: A few tiger
muskies have moved up from Johnson Reservoir. The general statewide limits on tiger muskie apply
here - 1 fish, which must be over 40 inches.
FORSYTH RESERVOIR: Recent sampling found that tiger trout and splake are abundant and in
good condition. Good numbers of 20-inch tigers are present. Fishing is fair to good from shore with
lures and streamers. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of
fish caught here to other waters.
FREMONT RIVER: Flows are a little high and turbid above Mill Meadow Res. The lower sections of
the stream can be good at any time of year if the water is not turbid. Much of the lower stream is on
private land. Ask for permission before fishing on private land. Please prevent the spread of whirling
disease by cleaning mud from waders and equipment. Do not transport any parts of fish caught
here to other waters.
GUNLOCK RESERVOIR: Fishing was slow lately, but could pick up as the water temperature warms.
Remember special regulations for bass: four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches. A fish
consumption advisory was issued for largemouth bass from Gunlock due to elevated levels of
mercury. It is recommended that adults limit their consumption of largemouth bass to two 8-oz
portions per month. Women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and
children should limit their consumption to one 4-oz portion per month. For further details, visit www.
fishadvisories.utah.gov.
JOHNSON RESERVOIR: Musky fishing will be nonexistent until late May or early June. The reservoir
contains an abundance of suckers, Utah chubs, and small yellow perch. Special regulations: Whole
fish and amphibians are not allowed as bait. Cut bait must be no longer than one inch in any
dimension and only one piece per hook. Limit one tiger musky over 40 inches all tiger muskies less
than 40 inches must be immediately released.
KOLOB RESERVOIR: One angler reports that the road is open through Zion National Park. No word
on ice conditions. Special regulations include artificial flies and lures only, with a limit of one trout,
which must be over 18 inches. Scented jigs are not allowed. Tributary streams are closed to fishing
until July 12. Please call the poaching hotline (1-800-662-DEER) to report violations.
KOOSHAREM RESERVOIR: Moderate pressure, even on weekdays. Bait fishing from shore is slow.
Recent sampling found that medium-sized cutthroat trout are abundant. Fishing is fair for these fish
and the best method for targeting cutthroat will be trolling or casting chub-imitating lures or
streamers. A few large 4- to 5-lb fish are present.
LOWER BOWNS RESERVOIR: The lake is now accessible. Fishing should be good for rainbows
using bait, lures, and flies.
MAMMOTH CREEK: Flows are high and often muddy, especially from Hatch Meadow down. Public
access is possible on some of Mammoth Creek west of Highway 89 please watch for and respect
private property postings. Special regulations apply to a section of Mammoth Creek check the
proclamation for details. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts
of fish caught here to other waters.
MILL MEADOW RESERVOIR: Recent sampling found that medium-sized brown trout are abundant.
These brown trout are wild fish spawned in the Fremont River. It is very unique to find such a dense
population of wild brown trout in a reservoir. Best techniques for the browns are flashy lures,
streamers, and natural baits like night crawlers and minnows. Good-sized perch up to 10 inches are
semi-abundant. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish
caught here to other waters.
MINERSVILLE RESERVOIR: Fishing is slow and pressure has dropped off. Water clarity is low, with
visibility only about one foot. Irrigation release have begun, so the water level has started to drop.
Special regulations include artificial flies and lures only, with a limit of one trout, which must be over
22 inches. Scented jigs are not allowed. Please call the poaching hotline (1-800-662-DEER) to
report violations. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish
caught here to other waters.
MONROE MOUNTAIN LAKES: Access still limited by snow. The Box Creek reservoirs may be
accessible in a couple of weeks. Manning Meadow Reservoir is closed to fishing until July 12.
NAVAJO LAKE: The gate is open, but the road is still snowed over. The lake is still ice-capped,
though it is getting thin. A little open water may show up in the next week, but it's still probably a few
weeks away from ice-off.
NEWCASTLE RESERVOIR: Catchable-sized rainbows have been stocked. Sampling in April found
that 3- to 4-pound wipers are abundant and spread out through various depths. Try trolling minnow-
imitating lures for wipers. Experiment with various speeds and depths. Fishing may still be tough with
the abundance of shiners. A fish consumption advisory was issued for rainbow trout in Newcastle
Reservoir due to elevated levels of mercury. It is recommended that adults limit their consumption to
two 8-oz portions per month. Women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing
mothers, and children should limit their consumption to one 4-oz portion per month. For further
details, visit www.fishadvisories.utah.gov.
OTTER CREEK RESERVOIR: Shore fishing has slowed down, though a few 1- to 2-pound fish are
still being caught. Trolling has not yet picked up. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do
not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.
PANGUITCH LAKE: Fishing from shore varies from slow to very good, depending on technique and
weather. Worm and marshmallow combo is the best bait for rainbows. Cutthroats are being caught
on lures. Fly anglers have done well fishing against the shoreline in the wind with olive wooly
buggers and nymphs drifted below a strike indicator. Boat fishing is still slow as most fish are in very
close to shore.
Special Regulations: Limit is four trout, which must be less than 15 inches or over 22 inches. All
trout 15 to 22 inches must be released. Trout caught at Panguitch Lake cannot be filleted, or the
head or tail removed, until you get home. Some tributaries are closed until July 12 check the Utah
Fishing Guide for which streams are closed. TIPS FOR RELEASING FISH IN THE SLOT (15-22"): If
a fish swallows the hook, please cut the line to avoid mortality. A fish can pass a swallowed hook
and survive, while digging the hook out will almost certainly kill the fish. Also try fishing with single
hooks instead of treble hooks.
PARAGONAH (RED CREEK) RESERVOIR: The road is open and dry. The water is a little turbid.
Mixed reports on fishing, with slower fishing on windy days. Remember that the rainbows here are
wild fish, so bait usually doesn't produce as well as flies and lures. Tributary streams are closed to
fishing until July 12. Lots of rainbows run up Red Creek to spawn. Take some time to walk along the
creek and observe the fish, but please do not harass or chase the fish. Rainbows are very
abundant. Harvest is encouraged to allow fish to stay in balance with the food base.
PINE LAKE: The ice is off and access is good. Catchable-sized rainbows have been stocked, so
fishing should pick up. The lake had a small winterkill, so you will notice a few dead fish.
PINE VALLEY RESERVOIR: Catchable rainbows will be stocked soon.
PIUTE RESERVOIR: Shore fishing is still good and has recently been better than Otter Creek. Lots
of wind every day.
QUAIL LAKE: Bass fishing should pick up at any time. Remember the special regulations for bass:
four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches.
SAND COVE RESERVOIRS: Catchable rainbows have been stocked in the upper reservoir. Both
reservoirs were drawn low this winter while Pacificorp made repairs to the canals. No fish kills were
ever reported, however, and it is likely that the bass and bluegill populations made it through just
fine. Both reservoirs have been refilled.
SAND HOLLOW RESERVOIR: Water temperature is approaching 60 F and bass should be on nests
soon. Fishing was fair to good for smaller fish with the standard popular baits in dark colors. New
regulations bass limit is six, with one over 12 inches. Public access to the reservoir is available only
through the State Park.
CHANGE IN ACCESS: Access to Sand Hollow State Park changed on Friday, April 4, 2008. The new
access is at 3700 West (Sand Hollow Road). The road that previously accessed the park, 4300 west
(Turfsod) was closed. The new road is a half-mile east on SR 9 from the old entrance.
SEVIER RIVER (UPPER), ASAY CREEK: Turbidity was up lately. Most of the trout water on the
upper Sevier is located upstream (south) from the town of Hatch. Intermittent sections of good
habitat are present above Hatch and easily accessible from Highway 89. Asay Creek west of
Highway 89 is on private land and access is restricted.
SEVIER RIVER MARYSVALE CANYON: Water is now being released from Piute Res. and flows are
very high. No fishing pressure.
THOUSAND LAKES MTN: Solomon Basin is accessible from Emery County. Snowdrifts still block the
road from Forsyth, just past Riley Spring.
TROPIC RESERVOIR: Should be ice-free. Be cautious with spring road conditions. There may be a
few catchable rainbows left, though most would not have survived the previous low water levels.
Catchable rainbows will be stocked soon. Spring is a good time to target large brown trout. The local
favorite technique is a dead minnow fished on the bottom.
URBAN PONDS: Washington County ponds: Catchable rainbows have been stocked. Lots of
pressure on the weekends, moderate on weekdays. Fishing is good with any technique, though
adults are encouraged to use flies or lures. Iron County: Catchable rainbows have been stocked in
Parowan Pond.
WIDE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: Catchable rainbows have been stocked. Lots of wind lately and
fishing was slow. Action for bluegill and bass could pick up anytime.
YANKEE MEADOW RESERVOIR: The road is completely open and the reservoir is ice-free.
Pressure has increased. Rainbows are very close to shore, so don't cast out too far. Bait fishing
varies from slow to fair. Best bait fishing success is with nightcrawlers early in the morning.
PowerBait is not producing as much. Lure fishermen are doing well with Jake's and Kastmasters. Fly
anglers are having good success with beadhead nymphs drifted below a strike indicator. Most
hookups are within a few feet of shore. Most fish caught are 12- to 17-inch rainbows in very good
condition. A few nice brook trout have also been caught.
LAKE POWELL - Smallmouth bass bite is ON! The weather is warming and Lake Powell is filling a
foot every 4th day. Bass are guarding deep nests but the fast rising water makes sight fishing
difficult. Not to worry! Bass fishing is great with feisty smallmouth bass waking up and getting with
the program.
Work the rocky structure to find willing smallmouth. Earlier in the spring all the bass action was in
the backs of sandy coves with brush. Now bass are staged near the primary rocky points leading
into those coves. It is not time yet to fish the main channel drop-offs. Start at the back of the canyon
where muddy water meets the rich green color. That is the bass hotspot and many other species of
fish like the green productive zone.
Technique varies with personal preference. The most common approach is to use a plastic grub,
tube, senko or other bait of your choosing. That works great as does retrieving a spinnerbait or
crankbait across rocky structure. I like to have the option of using both techniques. Just have a tube
rigged on one rod and a crank or jerk bait on the other. Use a tube for a while and then switch to
the crank. Let the fish tell you which they like best.
Do not be afraid to fish deeper water. The shoreline at the current lake level is devoid of brush. Old
brush is buried 10 to 15 feet deep while the new shoreline brush won't go under water for a couple
more weeks. The lake has to exceed last year's high water mark of 3,611 before new brush is
flooded.
Walleye are perking up with warming conditions. They should be caught more often now, particularly
in murky water after an afternoon wind muddies a cove or floats a mudline into a clear water bay.
Crappie are still being caught in the brush at the ends of the canyons. Use a bobber to suspend a
tiny curly tail grub just above the brush zone.
Stripers are schooled in 25 to 45 feet of water waiting to spawn. Trolling and graphing across deep
points and drops in bays is the best way to locate them. They will come up from 25 feet to hit a bevy
shad, rattletrap or Wally diver running at 10 to 12 feet. I keep a floating fish marker handy and toss
it out each time a good school is graphed. When tired of trolling, go back to the various makers,
chum and fish bait over the stationary marked schools to catch a cooler full of stripers.
Chum brings striper off the bottom. While they are easy to catch on bait, they are searching for food
and will also take a spoon, crank, or swim bait while swimming in the chum field. Fishing is great
right now for whatever species or technique is your personal favorite.
Reported by : UDWR
UTAH FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS.
NORTHERN REGION - CAUSEY RESERVOIR: Causey is ice-free!!! Fair fishing for some splake
and trout. The fish I have seen are skinny/smaller. Report by Conservation Officer Dave Beveridge.
COMMUNITY FISHING AREAS: At urban ponds, anglers are catching smaller trout recently planted
but by the time this gets out, I am betting it is slow. Report by Conservation Officer Dave Beveridge.
CUTLER RESERVOIR: On Wednesday April 30, I talked to two fishermen fishing from Valley View
Highway and they reported that fishing was slow. There have been reports of good fishing for big
crappie, so this area would be good to keep an eye on for panfish, walleye and bass as weather
warms up. Report by Phil Douglass.
HYRUM RESERVOIR: The reservoir is filling fast and is only about 15 feet from the high water mark!
No fishing activity was observed. Report by Phil Douglass.
MANTUA RESERVOIR: On Wednesday April 30, the reservoir had good access conditions but I
observed no anglers on the water—the windy, snowy weather was keeping most people from
venturing out. Observation from Phil Douglass.
OGDEN RIVER: Lower Ogden River is slow/fair fishing right now. I have not seen many fish caught
on the lower Ogden. South Fork is getting high flows. Report by Conservation Officer Dave
Beveridge.
PINEVIEW RESERVOIR: Anglers are catching black crappie in the shallower inlet areas on the east
side and they're catching some of the biggest black crappie I have ever seen!!! Some are at max
growth and I don't think they can get any bigger. Use a small jig with slow retrieve. Report by
Conservation Officer Dave Beveridge.
CENTRAL REGION - DEER CREEK RESERVOIR: (May 1) Open Water. Angler Cliff spent all day
bottom bouncing for walleye without any luck for walleye (Cliff states that a couple of rainbows were
picked up by accident). Angler Gary reports "Water temperature was about 45 to 47 degrees—
didn't come up much because the wind kicked in about 10:30. We were on the lake fishing by 7:00 a.
m.—caught fish early by trolling leadcore with 100 feet of line out at about 2.2 mph (GPS) with a J-7
Rapala in both Rainbow Trout and Perch in Rainbow Bay and around the corner along the highway
and over to the Island. Rainbow trout proved to be the best lure overall. Caught a total of about 12
fish (14 to 18 rainbows) before the wind and cold made the day unpleasant (we quit about noon).
Caught fish from 100 to 175 feet of line out. Also picked up several smaller rainbows on downrigger
at 20 feet down (35 to 50 feet of setback) using small Perch Rapala Taildancer in the bay where
Deer Creek comes into the reservoir. Didn't see others having much success, but we weren't near a
bunch of other boats either, so I can't say for sure."
Please remember that the trout limit is four statewide unless otherwise noted in the guidebook.
Yellow perch limit is 10 but you must keep all perch you catch from January 1 through April 30.
Remember that the bass limit is six, but immediately release all bass over 12 inches long. Walleye
limit is 10 but only one over 24 inches may be kept.
JORDANELLE RESERVOIR: (May 1) Open water and success is described as fair to good by using
various trolling and jigging techniques from boats and traditional baits from shoreline have
produced fair success. Bass limit is six, but immediately release all bass over 12 inches long. Perch
limit is 50! Please remember not to fillet bass or remove heads or tails because of the size
restriction (for law enforcement purposes).
STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR: (May 1) Ice fishing is not recommended. A recently drilled hole
showed several layers of bad ice, slush, water, etc. Only about six to eight inches of the ice was
considered somewhat solid but there are several cracks on the ice surface, a lot of slush in places
and water level is rising which provides unsafe conditions around the edges. Though yesterday's
storm froze up the edges a bit, warmer weather can make ice weak in a short amount of time. A little
bit of open water at the ladders and Indian Creek. DWR biologist Justin Robinson guesstimates
another two to three weeks before ice off, depending on weather and wind. Regulations for the
reservoir include an aggregate limit of four trout or kokanee salmon. No more than two of which may
be cutthroat trout under 15 inches and no more than one may be a cutthroat over 22 inches long.
All cutthroat between 15 and 22 inches must be immediately released (any trout with cutthroat
markings is considered a cutthroat). Don't feel compelled to harvest fish on every trip. Please do
your part to ensure the future of this heavily utilized fishery by voluntarily releasing fish!
UTAH LAKE: (May 1) Ice free. Not much walleye success. Angler Danny reports "I caught 25 pre-
spawn male white bass at Lincoln Beach yesterday in the strong wind and waves on everything I
threw. I also picked up a three-pound channel cat on my second pole "deadstick" on a dead fish."
Angler Scott reports "I fished Utah Lake (Provo Boat Harbor) today from about 3 p.m. til 6 p.m. I
started off fishing where the river goes into the lake and had no luck. So I moved into the marina
where the sailboats dock and immediately started getting hits. I fished in the marina for about two
hours and it was non-stop action. I ended up keeping five white bass and had a good-sized cat on
but he snapped my line, no problem. I was using a shrimp tipped with a worm off the bottom. All in all
a good outing though." Largemouth and smallmouth bass limit is six, but immediately release all
largemouth and smallmouth bass over 12 inches long. For more information on conditions call Utah
Lake State Park at (801) 375-0731.
YUBA RESERVOIR: (May 1) Open water. Walleye numbers are up but fishing success for perch and
walleye is slow to fair. Not too many rainbow trout in the reservoir. Please keep walleye. New
regulations on perch began on January 1 which now allow anglers to keep 10 perch. For more info
call the State Park at (435) 758-2611.
BURRASTON POND: (May 1) Stocked. Fishing success is fair to good. Most anglers are using
PowerBait.
MILL HOLLOW: Drained! No fishing until 2009!
PAYSON LAKE: (May 1) Gate to Payson Lake is locked, therefore no access to the lakes except as
reported by Conservation Officer Shawn Bagley...by snowmobile. They anticipate opening gate in
mid-May.
SALEM POND: (May 1) Stocked with fair success reported for trout. The park closes at 10:00 p.m.
each night. Remember that regulations include: limit of four fish (Daily bag and possession limit is a
total of four fish in the aggregate for all species, for example: one trout, two channel catfish and one
bluegill.
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY WATERS: (May 1) Most community ponds have been stocked and fishing
success is fair to good.
SPANISH OAKS RESERVOIR: (May 1) Open water, stocked and good success. Worms work best.
SPRING LAKE: (May 1) Stocked. Anglers report fair to good success. Catfish success is slow.
TIBBLE FORK RESERVOIR: (May 1) Fair success for trout. Most anglers using traditional baits.
VERNON, GRANSTVILLE & SETTLEMENT CANYON RESERVOIR: (Tooele Co.) (May 1) Vernon is
stocked—good fishing success reported. Grantsville & Settlement report fair fishing success.
AMERICAN FORK RIVER: (May 1) Fair fishing success reported by using worms or small flies.
DIAMOND FORK RIVER: (May 1) Light fishing pressure and fair success by using flies, worms or
lures. Most cutts in the areas above three forks are similar in size (about 10 to 12 inches).
HOBBLE CREEK & CATCH BASIN: (May 1) Stocked! Fair fishing success in the catch basin and
creek.
PROVO RIVER: (May 1) Water level was not too high and clarity looks fairly good below both
Jordanelle and Deer Creek dams. Hares ear, sow bugs, and other small surface flies and bottom-
bouncing nymphs are producing fair to good success. Read the fishing proclamation for the
different regulations on the river—some areas allow bait and others do not. Size restrictions and
reduced limits ("two brown trout under 15 inches") are in place in some stretches.
THISTLE CREEK: (May 1) Fair success by using flies, lures or worms.
NORTHEASTERN REGION - BIG SAND WASH RESERVOIR: Reservoir is ice-free and filling.
Several anglers reported good fishing as the ice came off.
BROUGH RESERVOIR: Reservoir is ice-free and is almost full. Water is slightly murky. Fishing was
slow but the fish are nice sized. To get to Brough, take State Route 88 south from US Route 40
(Ouray Road). Turn west at the second dirt road past the high power lines—it should be signed.
Follow this road approximately two miles following the signs. Road can be quite rutted.
BROWNIE / SPIRIT LAKE: No new reports. Check ice condition carefully before venturing out.
Roads closed, accessible by skis or snowmobile. Warning: Whirling disease was found in this area.
Please make sure to clean, dry and sterilize waders, live wells and other fishing gear before
venturing to another water. Also do not clean fish or dump fish parts taken from one water into
another lake or stream, as this will also move whirling disease.
BULLOCK / COTTONWOOD RESERVOIRS: Anglers report of fair to good fishing for rainbows and
slow for other fish. Both reservoirs are now ice-free and they are being filled. Reservoirs are located
approximately five miles north of the town of Gusher.
CALDER / CROUSE RESERVOIRS: No new reports as several big drifts keep anglers out. No road
access yet due to snow drifts and mud. Calder regulations include: flies and lures only, no baits; all
fish under 22 inches must be released immediately; bag limit is one fish over 22 inches.
CURRANT CREEK RESERVOIR: Lake has ice, but no recent reports. Older reports were fair to
good fishing. Check ice edge thickness carefully before venturing out. Area received more snow last
week. The road was kept open to the dam.
EAST PARK / OAKS PARK: No new reports, roads are closed so access by skis or snowmobile.
Reservoirs likely have ice. Check ice edge condition carefully before venturing out as reservoirs are
likely being filled.
FLAMING GORGE: Launching boats is possible at Cedar Springs and Mustang ramps. The canyon
up reservoir is mostly frozen from about Skull Creek. The Sheep Creek, Antelope and Lucerne
areas have open water but be aware of large and small chunks of floating ice making navigation
difficult and dangerous. In Wyoming, ice appears to be weaker and is melting around the edges but
it may still be a while before boats are able to launch.
Lake Trout Fishing: As ice conditions deteriorate there will be good fishing for 16- to 24-inch lake
trout on most areas near the ice. Look for continued good fishing for smaller lake trout in the
Confluence, Buckboard, Marsh Creek, Current Creek, Anvil Draw, Skunk Cliffs and any other
locations in 30 to 70 feet of water near the old river channel. As the areas open up, try trolling or
jigging from boats.
Use tube jigs in white, chartreuse, glow or brown tipped with a small chunk of sucker or chub meat.
Airplane jigs and jigging spoons also work. Fishing is usually best early in the morning or later in the
afternoon. Use no stretch line to feel strikes and set the hook better. A graph helps to see
suspended fish and put your jig in their face. Unlike their larger relatives, the smaller lake trout are
excellent table fair with orange flesh and taste as good or better than a rainbow when cooked up on
the grill.
There's an overabundance of lake trout under 28 inches in the Gorge so do your part to help the
fishery and keep a limit of eight fish. Larger lake trout should be good from Big Bend south to Anvil
Draw and Swim Beach. Remember, only one fish over 28 inches may be kept. Use larger tube jigs,
spoons and other lures through the ice or trolling. Big lake trout can eat big food so lures and jigs
can be big also.
Kokanee Fishing: Ice fishing for kokanee is almost always slow if they can be found at all so fishing
will improve as the ice melts.
Rainbow Fishing: Before poor ice conditions started there was good fishing for rainbows on most of
the reservoir. After ice out, look for larger rainbows around boat ramps. Older fish return to areas
where they were stocked in an attempt to spawn. Fish as large as 24 inches can be caught. Shore
anglers will have the best fishing of the year from ice out until mid-May as rainbows will be shallow
and close to shore searching for food. Anglers can use marshmallows and worms, flies such as
wooly buggers, minnow imitation plugs, spinners and jigs to catch fish from shore. If fishing from a
boat, try casting to shore using the same types of lures or long line lures while trolling shallow.
Planer boards also work well to get lures close to shore without spooking fish with the boat.
Burbot (Ling) Fishing: Ice fishing for burbot may still be possible in the Wyoming end of the reservoir
but be careful of ice conditions. After ice out, fishing should continue to be good for burbot as long
a water temps are cool in shallow water. Fishing from a boat, at night in water from 10 to 30 feet
using glow jigs should work well for high catch rates. Areas like Firehole, Lost Dog, Sage Creek,
Confluence, Buckboard, Holmes Crossing, Anvil Draw, Skunk Cliffs and Marsh Creek are good
places to try.
If you can still fish from the ice, locate flats and points near the old river channel. (Fishing out of a
boat should be good after ice out with similar techniques as ice fishing.) Try fishing with jigs late in
the afternoon, early morning or at night on points coming into reservoir. Use glow tube or curly tail
jigs two to three inches in size about 1/8 to 1/4 ounce in weight. Jigging spoons and jigging rapalas
also work well. Tipping with sucker or crayfish meat will help catch fish. Use of smelly jelly or similar
scents in crayfish seem to help. These fish are in depths from 20 to 70 feet but seem to be caught
most recently in 40 to 60 feet mostly in the Wyoming end of the reservoir. Some reports of fast
catch rates.
If fishing in Utah try rocky points on Antelope Flat, Linwood Bay or Sheep Creek. November netting
in the area north of Buckboard has shown a large increase in the number of burbot present. Larger
fish are 30 inches and up to four or five pounds. Burbot activity increases under the ice as these
fish spawn in winter.
These fish must be harvested if caught in Utah to help control their population as they were illegally
introduced to the upper Green River drainage and could have a major impact on other fish species.
There is no limit on burbot but you cannot waste the burbot in the Wyoming end of the reservoir and
they can be released there. However, please don't release any of these fish as they have been
eating large amounts of crayfish and are also consuming kokanee salmon, smallmouth bass and
other critical food sources for other fish species. They could have an extreme impact on the
reservoir fishery and should be removed by fishermen.
Burbot are an excellent eating fish with white, flaky flesh that is similar to a perch. They can be
breaded and fried or boiled and dipped in melted butter. You can use six lines on the ice in
Wyoming so take advantage of tip-ups and harvest some burbot. By law, be sure you have your
name on your tip-ups and tend only your lines if you are fishing in a group.
Smallmouth Bass Fishing: Smallmouth fishing is slow, as smallmouth tend not to bite well at temps
near or below 50 degrees. Use twist tail grubs on lead head jigs or small plastic worms, sinkos,
twitch and crankbaits in about 5 to 30 feet of water off rocky shorelines and points. Crayfish
imitation colors will work the best. Drop shot techniques will also work. Launching boats is possible
at Cedar Springs and Mustang ramps.
GREEN RIVER: (upper) The flows on the river are currently 800 cfs. Due to low inflows into the
reservoir in 2007, flows should remain steady at 800 cfs throughout the winter to conserve water.
Visit the Bureau of Reclamation Web site for the latest information on flows.
Fishing on the river was picking up and midge hatches are occurring as air temps warm. Nymphing
is still probably the best technique but streamers are also working. Watch for baetis hatches as they
usually occur in April. Please remember the slot limit size range has changed from 13 to 20 inches
to 15 to 22 inches to make regulations more consistent statewide.
Nymphing with glo-bugs and San Juan worms with smaller nymphs trailering was the workhorse.
Small midge patterns work some days. Streamers are working well and have been extremely good
some days. Try size 2-4 buggers such as Goldilox and patterns in olive, pink and white. Spin
fishermen should try small rapalas (floating, countdown and husky jerk); small spinners; black,
brown or olive marabou jigs; and small jigs. Please check to see that your tube jigs contain no fish
attracting scents, as they are illegal to use in the river. New Zealand Mudsnail densities have
dramatically increased in several localized areas near Little Hole, and have been documented in
most areas of the river. Please thoroughly clean mud and vegetation from waders, boats and fishing
gear; and if possible, completely dry equipment before leaving the area. A hot water bath (120° F)
will kill mudsnails, and spraying equipment with 409 or a similar soap solution before drying will
increase effectiveness.
GREEN RIVER: (lower) Water level is low and the river is ice-free. No reports from anglers.
MATT WARNER RESERVOIR: No new reports as large drifts block access.
MOON LAKE: No new reports. Should be good fishing as observed at lakes at similar elevations.
Check the edges carefully as the water level should be rising.
PELICAN LAKE: Ice is off but cold weather and high winds have kept the lake waters from warming.
Anglers reporting a few early bass, bluegill are few and far between. As the water warms, fishing will
pick up. Pelican did not have a severe winterkill as some anglers have reported. Division biologists
were one of the first groups out on the reservoir as they watched the ice out carefully. They did see
some dead fish along the shoreline but do not believe it is because of a major die-off. Their reports
on the fish kill is more inline with angling mortality and possibly a few lethal pockets, which are
common for Pelican.
RED FLEET RESERVOIR: Reservoir open although there may still be a few ice chunks floating
around. Anglers have reported good fishing for trout as the ice melted.
STARVATION RESERVOIR: Reservoir is ice free and near full. Anglers report good fishing for trout
including several larger browns being taken
STEINAKER RESERVOIR: Reservoir is ice-free and being filled. Anglers report good fishing for
rainbows and a few browns also being taken. No reports of bass or bluegill yet.
UINTA MOUNTAIN LAKES AND STREAMS: No new reports. Lakes and streams have ice but check it
carefully before venturing out. Fishing success on mountain lakes and streams can be spotty so if
one isn't producing try moving to another. With over 400 managed fisheries on the South Slope
alone, it's easy to find a new place to fish. Always go prepared for serious weather, as the Uinta
Mountains are well known for frequent unexpected storms and high winds. Note: The Uinta
Mountains have a four-trout limit with a bonus of four more brook trout — see proclamation for
details.
SOUTHEASTERN REGION - BENCHES & BOULGERS RESERVOIR: These small ponds remain
hidden by snow and ice.
CLEVELAND RESERVOIR: This reservoir remains completely frozen. Further ice fishing is not
recommended.
ELECTRIC LAKE: The lake remains frozen. Please stay off until the spring thaw.
FAIRVIEW LAKES: Both lakes are covered by snow and ice.
GIGLIOTTI POND: A fair number of large albino trout may still be seen. The bright yellow torpedo-
like fish are easy to spot in the water column. Kids have been having the time of their lives, trying to
entice the behemoths to their bait. Randall Stilson conducted a creel survey and reported rainbow
PowerBait to be the best fish-getter. Next best was nightcrawlers. The best lure was a Jakes Spin-a-
Lure. It's best to fish in the morning. By early afternoon, the wind picks up, and angling success falls
off.
HUNTINGTON CREEK: The creek is open from top to bottom. Patches of snow still linger along the
shoreline at higher elevations. The water is picking up color, due to increasing runoff. Fly fishermen
should try a #10 beadhead Montana. Nightcrawlers and PowerBait are recommended for
baitcasters. Most trout are 11- to 14-inch browns. Lower elevation campgrounds are starting to
open, although the higher elevation grounds remain snowed in.
JOE'S VALLEY RESERVOIR: The reservoir is ice-free. Aquatics Biologist Darek Elverud fished last
Saturday and Sunday. He landed 25 fish in the two days. Most were small splake between 10 and
14 inches with the occasional larger trout. His biggest fish was a 21-inch cutthroat. Darek
recommends chub meat or jigs tipped with chub meat. Crankbaits can also be effective. Darek
fished by the dam, at the mouth of Seely Creek and north of the creek and caught fish at all
locations. Joe's Valley Reservoir has special regulations. Please refer to the 2008 Fishing
Guidebook.
LAKE POWELL: Visit www.wayneswords.com for the latest fishing report, provided by Wayne
Gustaveson, DWR project leader. The above link reports on the multi-agency effort to keep quagga
and zebra mussels from populating the lake.
LASAL MOUNTAINS: Conservation Officer TJ Robertson reports that Ken's Lake fishing is picking
up, and was good in the past few days with an assortment of baits. Darek Elverud fished Ken's Lake
on May 6. In two hours, he landed 9 largemouth and 4 sunfish. All bass were less than 11 inches.
He used gray or orange plastic worms.
Hidden Lake is now accessible and angler success was fair to good with nightcrawlers and salmon
eggs. Don's Lake is only accessible by 4-wheeler, due to lingering snow drifts, which could melt this
next week. Medicine Lake and Dark Canyon remain inaccessible. The gates to Oowah and Warner
are closed.
LOWER FISH CREEK: Early in the week, Tom Ogden fished the lower stretches from the confluence
with the White River, upstream to the first railroad bridge. The water was fairly clear and a chilly 39
degrees. In 3.5 hours, Tom caught 3 tigers, 1 cutt and 6 browns. All fish ranged from 13 to 16
inches. Tom used floating line and a size 14 hares ear nymph. The water below the confluence is
unfishable, due to heavy run-off.
HUNTINGTON (MAMMOTH) RESERVOIR: This water remains covered with multiple layers of thick
rotten ice and several feet of snow. Ice fishing is definitely not recommended. Please wait for ice-off.
MILLSITE RESERVOIR: No recent report. Rainbow PowerBait has worked well in the recent past.
Trout range from 11 to 13 inches.
SAN JUAN COUNTY: Conservation Officer Paul Washburn reports that both Monticello and Foy
reservoirs are ice-free. Fishing success was fair at Foy and at Blanding 3 and 4, where
marshmallows seem to be the best bait. Fishing was slow at Recapture, where the inflow of cold
water has kept water temperatures low.
SCOFIELD RESERVOIR: The ice cover is receding day by day and a lot of open water is available
for shoreline angling. All of the angler reports indicate excellent fishing with egg sacs. With the
possible exception of minnows, other baits don't perform nearly as well. Fly fishermen have been
most successful with trout egg imitations. Frank Atwood of the Division of Parks and Recreation
indicates that the campgrounds are not open yet, but will be by next weekend. Ramps are expected
to open in a week or so. Frank announced a fishing tournament taking place at Scofield on May 17.
For information on the tournament, call: 435-448-9449 or 435-686-2491.
Bob Olson interviewed anglers on May 6 and reported good fishing from boat or shore for 16- to 18-
inch trout with a few measuring over 20 inches. Successful anglers were using dead minnows or egg
sacs.
Randall Stilson conducted a creel survey on May 4. The west side was muddy and fishing was slow.
The dam cove and east side offered excellent fishing for a mix of tiger and rainbow trout from 1 to 3
pounds. Randall ranked egg sacs as number 1, followed by minnows.
Lieutenant Carl Gramlich and Conservation Officer Ben Riley visited the reservoir last weekend and
reported good fishing with heavy angler pressure. Due to dam spillway reconstruction, traffic delays
of several minutes can be expected around the dam cove. Anglers are reminded that Scofield
tributaries are closed to fishing until the second Saturday in July.
SOUTHERN REGION - NOTE: For more in-depth information on the history and management of
these Southern Utah waters, check out the Hotspots page.
BAKER RESERVOIR: Catchable-sized rainbow trout have been stocked and fishing should be fair to
good using bait, lures, and flies.
BARKER RESERVOIRS, NORTH CREEK LAKES: All lakes are now open to fishing except
Dougherty Basin, which is closed until July 12. Access is still limited, but should open up by June.
Special regulations on many of the Boulder Mountain waters include a trout limit of four of which
only two may be over 14 inches.
BEAVER MOUNTAIN LAKES: Access on the mountain is still restricted to Little Reservoir. Fishing is
slow. There are still snowdrifts blocking the Kent's Lake Road about two miles below Kent's Lake, so
access is probably still a week or two away. All other lakes will be longer.
BEAVER RIVER, LOWER: Irrigation releases from Minersville Res. have begun. Flows should still be
fishable, though turbidity can be a problem. Much of the river is on private property, so please treat
the area with respect. Much of the private land is open to walk-in access, but some is closed to
trespass so watch for signs.
BEAVER RIVER, UPPER: Flows are low and clear. Not much pressure. Please prevent the spread of
whirling disease by cleaning mud from waders and equipment. Do not transport any parts of fish
caught here to other waters.
BOULDER MTN LAKES: All Boulder Mtn. lakes are now open to fishing. Access on most of the
mountain is still limited, but should open up by June. Access to the Boulder Top will be later. Most
lakes are still frozen. Special regulations on many of the Boulder Mountain waters include a trout
limit of four of which only two may be over 14 inches.
CHALK CREEK: Expect high spring flows. Wild rainbows are abundant and can be caught with
spinners and flies. Best fishing is away from the campground and more heavily fished spots. The
North Fork provides a good spot for those willing to hike. Meadow Creek and Pioneer Creek are
other small streams in the area that contain populations of small, wild trout.
CLEAR CREEK: Flows have increased and water has a little color to it but is still very fishable.
Reports of fair to good fishing for small rainbows and browns.
CORN CREEK: Flows are high and turbid. Wild brown trout are abundant and can be caught with
spinners and flies.
DUCK CREEK SPRINGS/ASPEN MIRROR LAKE: Now open to fishing. Catchable-sized rainbows will
be stocked soon.
EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER KINGSTON CANYON: Flows are low and only slightly turbid. A fair
amount of pressure lately, but fishing was slow to fair. Recent sampling found that trout numbers
are down from recent years. Irrigation releases from Otter Creek Res. could begin at any time,
making flows high and turbid. There is public access on a section of Kingston Canyon midway
through the canyon that was purchased through the Blue Ribbon Program. Look for the signs. Most
of the remainder of the canyon is private and posted, so ask permission first.
EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER BLACK CANYON: Flow and turbidity can vary with runoff from higher
elevations. Fishing action should pick up whenever the water is clear. For the section of river from
the BLM property boundary (about four miles south of Antimony) upstream to the confluence with
Deer Creek, special regulations include the use of artificial flies and lures only and a limit of two
trout. Some private land is closed to trespass, so watch for the signs.
EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER ABOVE TROPIC RES: No word on access or fishing conditions.
ENTERPRISE RESERVOIR: (Upper and Lower): The upper reservoir will not be stocked this year.
The reservoir will not be filled past its current level because work on the dam will not be finished
until later this summer. Irrigation needs will drain the reservoir again by summer. The lower reservoir
is full and was stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout. Extra fish have been stocked in the lower
reservoir to help compensate for the loss of the upper reservoir this year.
A fish consumption advisory was issued for rainbow trout in Upper Enterprise Reservoir due to
elevated levels of mercury. It is recommended that adults limit their consumption to one 8-oz portion
per month. Women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children
should limit their consumption to one 2-oz portion per month. For further details, visit www.
fishadvisories.utah.gov.
FISH LAKE: 20 to 50 feet of open water around most of the lake, with a little more at Twin Creek and
on the south end. Fishing was slow to fair at the mouth of Twin Creek, but should pick up soon. The
lake will probably not be ice-free for a couple more weeks. Remember, no boats are allowed on the
lake until ALL of the ice has melted. Very little pressure. When the ice melts a little more it can be a
good time to catch splake from shore. Try jigs tipped with sucker or perch meat. Note: A few tiger
muskies have moved up from Johnson Reservoir. The general statewide limits on tiger muskie apply
here - 1 fish, which must be over 40 inches.
FORSYTH RESERVOIR: Recent sampling found that tiger trout and splake are abundant and in
good condition. Good numbers of 20-inch tigers are present. Fishing is fair to good from shore with
lures and streamers. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of
fish caught here to other waters.
FREMONT RIVER: Flows are a little high and turbid above Mill Meadow Res. The lower sections of
the stream can be good at any time of year if the water is not turbid. Much of the lower stream is on
private land. Ask for permission before fishing on private land. Please prevent the spread of whirling
disease by cleaning mud from waders and equipment. Do not transport any parts of fish caught
here to other waters.
GUNLOCK RESERVOIR: Fishing was slow lately, but could pick up as the water temperature warms.
Remember special regulations for bass: four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches. A fish
consumption advisory was issued for largemouth bass from Gunlock due to elevated levels of
mercury. It is recommended that adults limit their consumption of largemouth bass to two 8-oz
portions per month. Women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and
children should limit their consumption to one 4-oz portion per month. For further details, visit www.
fishadvisories.utah.gov.
JOHNSON RESERVOIR: Musky fishing will be nonexistent until late May or early June. The reservoir
contains an abundance of suckers, Utah chubs, and small yellow perch. Special regulations: Whole
fish and amphibians are not allowed as bait. Cut bait must be no longer than one inch in any
dimension and only one piece per hook. Limit one tiger musky over 40 inches all tiger muskies less
than 40 inches must be immediately released.
KOLOB RESERVOIR: One angler reports that the road is open through Zion National Park. No word
on ice conditions. Special regulations include artificial flies and lures only, with a limit of one trout,
which must be over 18 inches. Scented jigs are not allowed. Tributary streams are closed to fishing
until July 12. Please call the poaching hotline (1-800-662-DEER) to report violations.
KOOSHAREM RESERVOIR: Moderate pressure, even on weekdays. Bait fishing from shore is slow.
Recent sampling found that medium-sized cutthroat trout are abundant. Fishing is fair for these fish
and the best method for targeting cutthroat will be trolling or casting chub-imitating lures or
streamers. A few large 4- to 5-lb fish are present.
LOWER BOWNS RESERVOIR: The lake is now accessible. Fishing should be good for rainbows
using bait, lures, and flies.
MAMMOTH CREEK: Flows are high and often muddy, especially from Hatch Meadow down. Public
access is possible on some of Mammoth Creek west of Highway 89 please watch for and respect
private property postings. Special regulations apply to a section of Mammoth Creek check the
proclamation for details. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts
of fish caught here to other waters.
MILL MEADOW RESERVOIR: Recent sampling found that medium-sized brown trout are abundant.
These brown trout are wild fish spawned in the Fremont River. It is very unique to find such a dense
population of wild brown trout in a reservoir. Best techniques for the browns are flashy lures,
streamers, and natural baits like night crawlers and minnows. Good-sized perch up to 10 inches are
semi-abundant. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish
caught here to other waters.
MINERSVILLE RESERVOIR: Fishing is slow and pressure has dropped off. Water clarity is low, with
visibility only about one foot. Irrigation release have begun, so the water level has started to drop.
Special regulations include artificial flies and lures only, with a limit of one trout, which must be over
22 inches. Scented jigs are not allowed. Please call the poaching hotline (1-800-662-DEER) to
report violations. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish
caught here to other waters.
MONROE MOUNTAIN LAKES: Access still limited by snow. The Box Creek reservoirs may be
accessible in a couple of weeks. Manning Meadow Reservoir is closed to fishing until July 12.
NAVAJO LAKE: The gate is open, but the road is still snowed over. The lake is still ice-capped,
though it is getting thin. A little open water may show up in the next week, but it's still probably a few
weeks away from ice-off.
NEWCASTLE RESERVOIR: Catchable-sized rainbows have been stocked. Sampling in April found
that 3- to 4-pound wipers are abundant and spread out through various depths. Try trolling minnow-
imitating lures for wipers. Experiment with various speeds and depths. Fishing may still be tough with
the abundance of shiners. A fish consumption advisory was issued for rainbow trout in Newcastle
Reservoir due to elevated levels of mercury. It is recommended that adults limit their consumption to
two 8-oz portions per month. Women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing
mothers, and children should limit their consumption to one 4-oz portion per month. For further
details, visit www.fishadvisories.utah.gov.
OTTER CREEK RESERVOIR: Shore fishing has slowed down, though a few 1- to 2-pound fish are
still being caught. Trolling has not yet picked up. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do
not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.
PANGUITCH LAKE: Fishing from shore varies from slow to very good, depending on technique and
weather. Worm and marshmallow combo is the best bait for rainbows. Cutthroats are being caught
on lures. Fly anglers have done well fishing against the shoreline in the wind with olive wooly
buggers and nymphs drifted below a strike indicator. Boat fishing is still slow as most fish are in very
close to shore.
Special Regulations: Limit is four trout, which must be less than 15 inches or over 22 inches. All
trout 15 to 22 inches must be released. Trout caught at Panguitch Lake cannot be filleted, or the
head or tail removed, until you get home. Some tributaries are closed until July 12 check the Utah
Fishing Guide for which streams are closed. TIPS FOR RELEASING FISH IN THE SLOT (15-22"): If
a fish swallows the hook, please cut the line to avoid mortality. A fish can pass a swallowed hook
and survive, while digging the hook out will almost certainly kill the fish. Also try fishing with single
hooks instead of treble hooks.
PARAGONAH (RED CREEK) RESERVOIR: The road is open and dry. The water is a little turbid.
Mixed reports on fishing, with slower fishing on windy days. Remember that the rainbows here are
wild fish, so bait usually doesn't produce as well as flies and lures. Tributary streams are closed to
fishing until July 12. Lots of rainbows run up Red Creek to spawn. Take some time to walk along the
creek and observe the fish, but please do not harass or chase the fish. Rainbows are very
abundant. Harvest is encouraged to allow fish to stay in balance with the food base.
PINE LAKE: The ice is off and access is good. Catchable-sized rainbows have been stocked, so
fishing should pick up. The lake had a small winterkill, so you will notice a few dead fish.
PINE VALLEY RESERVOIR: Catchable rainbows will be stocked soon.
PIUTE RESERVOIR: Shore fishing is still good and has recently been better than Otter Creek. Lots
of wind every day.
QUAIL LAKE: Bass fishing should pick up at any time. Remember the special regulations for bass:
four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches.
SAND COVE RESERVOIRS: Catchable rainbows have been stocked in the upper reservoir. Both
reservoirs were drawn low this winter while Pacificorp made repairs to the canals. No fish kills were
ever reported, however, and it is likely that the bass and bluegill populations made it through just
fine. Both reservoirs have been refilled.
SAND HOLLOW RESERVOIR: Water temperature is approaching 60 F and bass should be on nests
soon. Fishing was fair to good for smaller fish with the standard popular baits in dark colors. New
regulations bass limit is six, with one over 12 inches. Public access to the reservoir is available only
through the State Park.
CHANGE IN ACCESS: Access to Sand Hollow State Park changed on Friday, April 4, 2008. The new
access is at 3700 West (Sand Hollow Road). The road that previously accessed the park, 4300 west
(Turfsod) was closed. The new road is a half-mile east on SR 9 from the old entrance.
SEVIER RIVER (UPPER), ASAY CREEK: Turbidity was up lately. Most of the trout water on the
upper Sevier is located upstream (south) from the town of Hatch. Intermittent sections of good
habitat are present above Hatch and easily accessible from Highway 89. Asay Creek west of
Highway 89 is on private land and access is restricted.
SEVIER RIVER MARYSVALE CANYON: Water is now being released from Piute Res. and flows are
very high. No fishing pressure.
THOUSAND LAKES MTN: Solomon Basin is accessible from Emery County. Snowdrifts still block the
road from Forsyth, just past Riley Spring.
TROPIC RESERVOIR: Should be ice-free. Be cautious with spring road conditions. There may be a
few catchable rainbows left, though most would not have survived the previous low water levels.
Catchable rainbows will be stocked soon. Spring is a good time to target large brown trout. The local
favorite technique is a dead minnow fished on the bottom.
URBAN PONDS: Washington County ponds: Catchable rainbows have been stocked. Lots of
pressure on the weekends, moderate on weekdays. Fishing is good with any technique, though
adults are encouraged to use flies or lures. Iron County: Catchable rainbows have been stocked in
Parowan Pond.
WIDE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: Catchable rainbows have been stocked. Lots of wind lately and
fishing was slow. Action for bluegill and bass could pick up anytime.
YANKEE MEADOW RESERVOIR: The road is completely open and the reservoir is ice-free.
Pressure has increased. Rainbows are very close to shore, so don't cast out too far. Bait fishing
varies from slow to fair. Best bait fishing success is with nightcrawlers early in the morning.
PowerBait is not producing as much. Lure fishermen are doing well with Jake's and Kastmasters. Fly
anglers are having good success with beadhead nymphs drifted below a strike indicator. Most
hookups are within a few feet of shore. Most fish caught are 12- to 17-inch rainbows in very good
condition. A few nice brook trout have also been caught.
LAKE POWELL - Smallmouth bass bite is ON! The weather is warming and Lake Powell is filling a
foot every 4th day. Bass are guarding deep nests but the fast rising water makes sight fishing
difficult. Not to worry! Bass fishing is great with feisty smallmouth bass waking up and getting with
the program.
Work the rocky structure to find willing smallmouth. Earlier in the spring all the bass action was in
the backs of sandy coves with brush. Now bass are staged near the primary rocky points leading
into those coves. It is not time yet to fish the main channel drop-offs. Start at the back of the canyon
where muddy water meets the rich green color. That is the bass hotspot and many other species of
fish like the green productive zone.
Technique varies with personal preference. The most common approach is to use a plastic grub,
tube, senko or other bait of your choosing. That works great as does retrieving a spinnerbait or
crankbait across rocky structure. I like to have the option of using both techniques. Just have a tube
rigged on one rod and a crank or jerk bait on the other. Use a tube for a while and then switch to
the crank. Let the fish tell you which they like best.
Do not be afraid to fish deeper water. The shoreline at the current lake level is devoid of brush. Old
brush is buried 10 to 15 feet deep while the new shoreline brush won't go under water for a couple
more weeks. The lake has to exceed last year's high water mark of 3,611 before new brush is
flooded.
Walleye are perking up with warming conditions. They should be caught more often now, particularly
in murky water after an afternoon wind muddies a cove or floats a mudline into a clear water bay.
Crappie are still being caught in the brush at the ends of the canyons. Use a bobber to suspend a
tiny curly tail grub just above the brush zone.
Stripers are schooled in 25 to 45 feet of water waiting to spawn. Trolling and graphing across deep
points and drops in bays is the best way to locate them. They will come up from 25 feet to hit a bevy
shad, rattletrap or Wally diver running at 10 to 12 feet. I keep a floating fish marker handy and toss
it out each time a good school is graphed. When tired of trolling, go back to the various makers,
chum and fish bait over the stationary marked schools to catch a cooler full of stripers.
Chum brings striper off the bottom. While they are easy to catch on bait, they are searching for food
and will also take a spoon, crank, or swim bait while swimming in the chum field. Fishing is great
right now for whatever species or technique is your personal favorite.
Reported by : UDWR
