Utah Fishing Reports
South
Revised 03-09-10
Hypertext gives a description of the lake and facilities available. Check proclamtion for details on restrictions as some may not be listed here.
Abajo Mountain
Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout
No recent reports.
Baker Reservoir
Crayfish, Brown Trout, Green Sunfish, Rainbow Trout
(Mar 4) The water level is low but should rise with the upcoming runoff. Fishing is generally slow. Catchable-sized rainbows will be stocked within the next two weeks and fishing should improve.
(Feb 18) There is no ice, but fishing is slow. One angler reports catching an occasional rainbow on a wooly bugger.
Beaver Mountain Lakes
Rainbow Trout
(Mar 4) You can access more of the lakes with a snowmobile. Fishing pressure is light throughout the winter, with Little Reservoir and Kent's Lake receiving the most pressure.
(Feb 18) You can access most lakes by snowmobile. Fishing pressure is light throughout the winter, with Little Reservoir and Kent's Lake receiving the most pressure.
Beaver River
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout
STOP WHIRLING DISEASE
(Mar 4) Lower: The ice is gone and water level is low, so fish are easily spooked. There is not much fishing pressure.
Upper: The anchor ice is making fishing difficult. The area near the mouth of the canyon is starting to open up.
(Feb 18) Lower: The ice is mostly gone. Fish are easily spooked because the water level is low. There is not much fishing pressure.
Upper: The anchor ice is making fishing difficult. The area near the mouth of the canyon is starting to open up.
Regulations
Benches Pond Reservoir
Rainbow Trout
No recent reports.
Regulations
Boulder Mountain Lakes
Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout
(Feb 18) Most Boulder Mountain lakes are closed to fishing until April 17. Check the Utah Fishing Guidebook to see which lakes are open year-round. Access is limited to snowmobile. Anglers report good fishing at Oak Creek Reservoir.
Regulations
Boulger Reservoir
Rainbow Trout
No recent reports.
Regulations
Box Creek Reservoirs
Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout
No recent reports.
Clear Creek
Rainbow Trout
(Mar 4) The lower section in the state park is a little murky with some runoff. You may be able to find water that is more clear upstream above the narrows.
(Feb 18) Some of the edges are icy. Wild rainbows and browns are abundant. Although trout get sluggish during the winter, stream fishing can be very productive throughout the colder months. Successful winter tackle includes nymphs, spinners and natural baits.
Cleveland Reservoir
Rainbow Trout
No recent reports.
East Fork of Sevier River
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
(Mar 4) Kingston Canyon: The ice is gone and the water level is low, so tread lightly to avoid spooking fish. The water is a little murky.
Black Canyon: The river in Black Canyon generally does not freeze over. Trout get sluggish during the winter, but you can still find productive stream fishing throughout the colder months. Try winter tackle like nymphs, spinners and streamers.
(Feb 18) Kingston Canyon: Much of the ice is coming off because of the recent warm weather. The water is low, so tread lightly to avoid spooking fish. The melting ice can make the water a little turbid.
Black Canyon: The river in Black Canyon generally does not freeze over. Although trout get sluggish during the winter, stream fishing can be very productive throughout the colder months. Successful winter tackle includes nymphs, spinners and natural baits.
Regulations
Enterprise Reservoirs
Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass
FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY
(Mar 4) The ice is starting to melt at the upper reservoir. Depending on the temperatures and wind, there should be enough open water to fish within two weeks. The lower reservoir was drained last fall and will be stocked near the end of March.
(Feb 18) There are no recent reports, but access was poor two weeks ago. If you can get to the reservoir, fishing should be fair to good. A few fisherman have fished the lower reservoir, however, it was drained last summer and will not be stocked until March. The ice should start thinning in the next few weeks.
Fish Lake
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Mackinaw (Lake Trout), Splake (hybrid), Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch
STOP WHIRLING DISEASE
(Mar 4) Fishing is fair to good. There is a lot of deep snow and slush, so don't bother with an ATV. The ice is still over a foot thick, but you have to dig down to get to it. Fishing pressure is still heavy on the weekends. The slowest fishing is often found in the spots with the most concentrated pressure. Try fishing mornings or late afternoon or evening to get away from the crowds.
You can catch small trout and perch in shallow water, around 15 to 20 feet. For larger splake and rainbows move to 30 feet and fish on the bottom, or suspend 20 to 30 feet down over deeper water. Rainbows and perch should hit light-colored jigs or spoons tipped with mealworms, wax worms or night crawlers. For splake, try tipping your jigs with perch meat. The bite can often be light so a spring bobber can be handy. (Perch will also hit a jig tipped with perch meat.) Anglers are catching small lake trout at depths of 80 to 95 feet with large tube jigs tipped with fish meat. Catching large lake trout is rare and requires a lot of patience. A few anglers are leaving perch on the ice. Note: This is wasting and is illegal. It is important that anglers harvest perch at Fish Lake, but not at the expense of the law. If you're not going to take the fish home, please release them.
(Feb 18) There is a lot of slush, so don't bother with ATVs. Snowmobiles are okay if you stay on packed trails. Fishing pressure is still pretty heavy on the weekends. Fishing ranges from slow to good. Anglers are having the best success if they have a secret fishing spot where they know they can find fish. For every one else, the best bet is to get away from the crowds. The slowest fishing is often in the spots with the most concentrated fishing pressure.
Anglers are catching small trout and perch at depths of 15 to 20 feet. For larger splake and rainbows, move down around 30 feet and fish on the bottom or suspended between 20 and 30 feet over deeper water. For rainbows and perch, try jigs in light colors or spoons tipped with mealworms, wax worms or night crawlers. For splake, tip your jigs with perch meat. (Perch will also hit a jig tipper with perch meat.) The bite can be light so keep a spring bobber handy. Anglers are catching small lake trout at 80 to 95 feet on large tube jigs tipped with fish meat. Catching large lake trout is rare and requires a lot of patience.
A few anglers have been leaving perch on the ice. Please note that this is wasting and it is illegal. Harvesting perch is important at Fish Lake, but not at the expense of the law. If you're not going to take the fish home, please release them.
Regulations
Forsyth Reservoir
Rainbow Trout, Splake (hybrid), Tiger Trout (hybrid)
STOP WHIRLING DISEASE
(Mar 4) Fishing is generally slow. Anglers are catching a few nice splake and tigers with white jigs. Try tipping your jig with fish meat or a piece of minnow.
Fremont River
Rainbow Trout
STOP WHIRLING DISEASE
(Mar 4) The road from Mill Meadow to Fish Lake is not plowed. Winter fishing can be fair to good in the Bicknell Bottoms.
Gunlock Reservoir
Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass
FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY
No recent reports.
Regulations
Gunnison Bend Reservoir
Catfish, Largemouth Bass, White Bass
No recent reports.
Kolob Reservoir
Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout
(Mar 4) Access is limited to snowmobile. There is little ice fishing pressure because of the poor access. The ice fishing can be good, if you can get to the reservoir.
(Feb 18) You will need a snowmobile to access the reservoir. There is little ice-fishing pressure due to poor access. Ice fishing can be good if you can get to the reservoir.
Regulations
Koosharem Reservoir
Rainbow Trout
No recent reports.
Lake Powell
Bluegill, Brown Trout, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Walleye
STOP QUAGGAG MUSCLE
(Mar 9) Lake elevation: 3,619 feet Water temperatures: 49–51°F
My optimism and great expectations for fishing success in 2010 was given a boost when an angler caught a big striper on March 2. Dale Barsness from Duck Creek, Utah was casting for stripers in Navajo Canyon using a deep diving Norman DD22 lure in 20 feet of murky water. Dale and his friend Bart found a school of willing 4-pound stripers and quickly caught 40 fish during the hour that the school was active. Of the 40 fish, they kept 20 to eat and released the rest.
The exciting news is that Dale brought in a 36-inch striper that he estimated to weigh 15 to 20 pounds. (Unfortunately, Dale could not get an accurate reading on his handheld scale. From my personal experience with Lake Powell striped bass, that length equates to a weight of 16 to 18 pounds.) Dale had caught enough fish to eat, so he took a picture with the big fish and released it so that it can grow some more. The question now becomes, how big will this fish be the next time it's caught?
The big fish was swimming with a school of smaller stripers. The pattern is typical for spring at Lake Powell, so try targeting murky water with a bottom depth of 20 to 30 feet. Murky water warms faster than clear water. With the storm fronts that move through each week in March, you should fish on warm afternoons without wind. Cold blooded fish respond quickly to a warm spot. They feel the warmth and stay in the warmer water for as long as possible. Sun beating on a rock wall also warms the water and draws fish. Wind, though, mixes the water and displaces any warming that has occurred. Seek out protected canyons with minimal wind for best results. Enjoy the moment when you locate a school of stripers and maybe one of the fish will be larger than the rest. Forage populations have been high the past few years, so anglers will likely catch more big striped bass in 2010.
You can catch largemouth bass on the same pattern and with the same strategy. The difference is that the largemouth bass will be in the brush near the wall, while striped bass will be over the submerged creek channel. Both species, though, prefer warmer, protected zones of colored water that are out of the wind. So find a flat rock with direct southern exposure that could collect heat from the sun and transmit that into the water.
Use a thermometer to fine tune your fishing experience. The main channel temperature is now near 50 degrees. For best results, seek a warm cove with water temperatures over 53 degrees. But don't neglect the main channel. Smallmouth bass are in the depths seeking stable temperatures, but will move up into the shallows when the afternoon sun warms the clear water in a shallow crack or small inlet in the cliffs.
Fishing success this week will follow the water temperature. The warm days will bring good fishing. Colder days will require a good angler to make the fish bite. Either way, you'll have fun when you're surrounded by beautiful Lake Powell.
(Mar 2) Lake elevation: 3,620 feet Water temperatures: 49–51°F
It's still winter at Lake Powell. The surface water temperature is near 50°F. Warm water fish are not excited about cold water conditions. As the days get longer and the sun shines on the water for longer periods of time, you will see a measurable difference with a thermometer and with your fishing success. Warm water fish react very quickly to any warming. They can easily feel the heat and will quickly move to the warmest water available.
The habitat and forage conditions are mostly positive coming out of the winter. Sport fish are fat and numerous and the lake level is still falling (which will continue through March). Declining water is not a positive for angler success. However, the rising water temperature will negate the effect of falling lake level.
Walleye will respond first. They spawn with the first warming. Expect them to lay eggs on lake rockslides and gravel bars when the water temperature rises to 53°F. The spawn won't effect fishing success because walleye don't eat much when they are in spawning condition. It will be at least mid-April before anglers can regularly catch walleye.
Largemouth bass are a different story. Big bass are the first fish to react to the warmer temperatures. A few anglers have already caught some dandies. Bass fishing tournaments will be held every weekend in March, with winning weights likely near 20 pounds for 5 fish. (That's a far cry from a decade ago when winning weights were closer to seven pounds for the same five fish. A shoreline ringed with flooded brush and a large crop of shad have made the difference.) Largemouth fish size and quantity were of record proportion in 2009 and nothing has changed. Expect 2010 largemouth fishing success to be among the best ever seen. And March bass fishing success will mark just the beginning of a very special year.
Smallmouth bass are slower to react. Expect these smaller, but more numerous, bass to come out of hibernation when water temperature hits 57°F. Crappie will follow smallmouth and should become catchable in early April. Both species will spawn near the third week of April, depending on the spring temperature.
That leaves striped bass. There was no noticeable movement of stripers to the main channel. The famous spring fishing for stripers near the dam and in the channel has not yet begun, nor is it expected to. The abundant forage in the backs of the canyons gives stripers little reason to move. They love to eat shad and will stay with the food. They can just as easily spawn in the back of the canyon as near the dam. You can catch stripers near shad schools in the backs of the canyons. Try trolling to locate a school, then spooning and casting to the schoolmates trailing the hooked fish. This will often put more fish in the boat than trolling. Expect stripers to come out of winter averaging 3 to 4 pounds with a few larger females exceeding 6 pounds.
This will be a year to remember. Fishing success for all species will be remarkable in both size and number. Plan your trip now so you won't miss the anticipated fishing bonanza.
We are making great efforts to prevent invasive species, like quagga mussels, from being transported to the lake. Some ramps are still closed so that all entering boats can be checked before they are launched. During March, boats must be launched at Bullfrog or the Wahweap main ramp between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. There will be no night launching, since the ramps will be closed after dark. These precautions are meant to protect Lake Powell from the devastation that would occur if invasive mussels were inadvertently released. Please help us with this effort by giving proper attention to your boat and helping educate anyone you can about the destructive nature of the invasive species.
(Feb 23) Lake Elevation: 3620
Water Temp: 48-51 F
Fish are grinning at Lake Powell. All of the little necessities for successful fish life are perfect.
There is enough snow in the mountains to make the lake level rise just a little bit this spring. A modest increase would allow the lake to lap at the remaining layer of green brush that has been growing on the lake shore since 2002 when the lake declined due to drought. The effect of brush along the normally barren rocky shoreline created much more living space and shelter for all fish. It has been a long road back but the journey has really been worth it.
The drought silver lining had some positive effects. The lake was low enough that waves stirred the old bottom sediment releasing long buried nutrients. Added nutrition created a bumper crop of forage fish which in turn enhanced the populations of hungry sportfish.
Lake Powell has long had only one forage fish that ventures into open water. In 2000, gizzard shad were found in the lake. Today that second shad population is huge and the threadfin population is strong.
This all translates into great conditions for fish but what does it mean for anglers?
Anglers will have to adapt to be successful. That won't be hard for those pursuing largemouth. Bucketmouth bass love brush and wont venture far from it. Those accustomed to fishing for largemouth will be right at home casting lures into brush thickets and dragging them back with fish instead of tree limbs attached. If this is new to some they will have to invest in spinnerbaits, weedless lures or learn to embed the hook inside a plastic bait to allow it to swim through tree branches without hanging up.
Smallmouth numbers are high. Fish are generally larger than last year. Luckily anglers can use traditional techniques to catch these rock loving fish. The subtle difference is that bronze bass will chase lures in open water more often now in response to the higher number of shad swimming in the upper water levels. Bottom feeding bass can be caught too.
Striped bass are fat and constantly chasing shad. Those expecting incredibly easy spring time bait fishing will be disappointed. Stripers migrate to the dam and main channel when food is scarce. That is not the case in spring 2010. Fat stripers will be in the backs of the canyons near shad schools. Cover lots of water while trolling deep diving baits. Each time a fish is caught, stop the boat and try casting, spooning or bait fishing to increase the catch. If the school moves on then troll again to relocate them. Then repeat the catching process each time the school is in range.
Walleye are one of the bonus fish for 2010. Expect excellent walleye fishing in the Good Hope Bay area. We found an extraordinary number of walleye in our fall fish sampling in 2009. That will translate to great fishing from April 15 to June 15 in the upper lake. For the rest of the lake walleye will only be caught in modest numbers during the same time frame. A great technique is to troll medium running lures along mud washed points in the main channel during May.
Crappie are the other bonus. Dense brush has allowed the species to come back in big numbers over most of the lake. Crappie will spawn in April land early May. Use small plastic or marabou jigs fished right in the densest cover to catch these tasty pan fish.
This is obviously a very enthusiastic report. The only detractor may be that forage and cover are too good. That makes it easy living for a fish and harder for anglers to catch fat fussy fish. But this is an accurate assessment of what to expect in 2010. I invite you to come to Powell and match wits with any of the eight species of game fish that are thriving here this spring. There will be enough fishing action to make every trip worthwhile.
See you on the lake.
Regulations
Lower Bowns
Rainbow Trout
No recent reports.
Mill Meadow Reservoir
Brake (hybrid), Brownbows (hybrid), Perch, Rainbow, Splake (hybrid), Tiger Musky (hybrid), Tiger Trout (hybrid)
STOP WHIRLING DISEASE
(Mar 4) The ice is still thick with solid edges and not much slush. Perch fishing is excellent, despite the fishing pressure and harvest rate. Try small jigs tipped with nightcrawlers, mealworms or perch meat. Target depths of 15 to 25 feet and fish right on the bottom. Most perch are pretty small, but anglers are catching enough to fill their limit of fish over eight inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest perch to help the population stay in balance with the available food. Remember that the perch limit has been increased to 50. Anglers have also caught a few browns and splake.
(Feb 18) The ice is about 18 inches thick with some snow and frozen slush on top. Perch fishing continues to be excellent, despite fishing pressure and harvest. Try small jigs tipped with night crawlers, mealworms or perch meat. Target the 15- to 20-foot range, and fish right on the bottom. Most perch are pretty small, but anglers are catching enough to fill a limit of fish over eight inches. The Division encourages anglers to harvest perch in order to help the population stay in balance with the available food. Remember that the perch limit has increased to 50 fish. Anglers have also caught a few brown trout and splake.
Regulations
Minersville Reservoir
Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass
STOP WHIRLING DISEASE
(Mar 4) The ice is getting soft around the edges and thinner all over. Open water should appear very shortly. Ice-off will likely occur within a few weeks, depending on temperatures and wind. Remember that the use or possession of bait, including scented lures, is prohibited at Minersville Reservoir.
(Feb 18) The ice is over 12 inches thick. The recent warm weather is melting the edges. Even though the edges are refreezing at night, they are still thin. So use caution—especially in the afternoon. Fishing is fair to good for 11- to 14-inch rainbows. Anglers are catching a few larger fish—including a few over the 22-inch minimum size restriction. Try using white plastic and marabou jigs. Remember that the use or possession of bait, including scented lures, is prohibited at Minersville Reservoir.
Regulations
Navajo Lake
Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout
(Mar 4) There is plenty of ice. Access is limited to snowmobile. Anglers report good fishing for splake. Try light-colored jigs or flashy spoons tipped with half a minnow or cutbait (like chub or sucker).
(Feb 18) You'll find plenty of ice, but you'll need a snowmobile to access the area. Recent reports indicate good fishing for splake. Try using light-colored jigs or flashy spoons tipped with cutbait (like chub or sucker) or half a minnow.
Newcastle Reservoir
Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Wiper (hybrid)
FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY
(Mar 4) The edges of the ice are starting to open up. There is quite a bit of open water at the upper end. One angler reports no success fishing in the open water. Expect complete ice-off within a couple of weeks, depending on temperatures and wind.
Regulations
Otter Creek Reservoir
Rainbow Trout
STOP WHIRLING DISEASE
(Mar 4) The ice is still pretty thick, but getting very soft and slushy around the edges. Ice fishing will be over shortly, though it has been slow lately anyway. Open water fishing should begin within the next two or three weeks. Expect complete ice-off by the end of the month.
(Feb 18) The ice is 18 inches thick, but some of the edges are getting a little soft with the recent warm weather. Fishing is spotty. Some anglers are catching a few fish while others won't get a single bite. Your best bet is to get away from the crowds. Most of the caught fish are decent-sized, fat and healthy. Try depths of 5 to 10 feet.
Regulations
Panguitch Lake
Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Tiger Trout (hybrid)
(Mar 4) There are no recent reports, but recent access conditions were poor with lots of snow and thick ice. Remember that cutthroat and tiger trout 15 to 22 inches must be released. For help with fish identification, download the identification guide at wildlife.utah.gov/trout.pdf.
(Feb 18) There are no recent reports. Access conditions are poor with lots of snow and pretty thick ice. Remember that you must release cutthroat and tiger trout between 15 and 22 inches. For help with fish identification, refer to page 40 in the Utah Fishing Guidebook or download an identification guide from wildlife.utah.gov/trout.pdf ."
Regulations
Paragonah Reservoir
Rainbow Trout
(Mar 4) The snow is too deep for anything but snowmobiles. Ice fishing can be good, if you can get there.
(Feb 18) The snow is too deep for anything but snowmobiles. You'll likely find good ice fishing, if you can get there.
Regulations
Pine Lake
Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout
(Mar 4) Access is limited by snow. Ice fishing can be good, if you can get there.
(Feb 18) Access is limited by snow. You'll likely find good ice fishing, if you can get there.
Pine Valley Reservoir
Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout
No recent reports.
Regulations
Quail Creek Reservoir
Bluegill, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout
(Mar 4) Trout fishing is slow to fair. Bass fishing pick up as the water warms into the 50s over the next month. Bass fishing should really turn on in April when the temperature hits 60. For coldwater bass, make sure you fish during the warmest part of the day. A very slow retrieve is key. Dead-sticking is often the best technique. Many bass anglers prefer drop-shot rigs in the winter, but don't be afraid to use larger plastics or even hardware.
(Feb 18) Trout fishing is slow to fair. Bass fishing slows down during the colder months, though it is still possible to catch fish. Make sure you fish during the warmest part of the day. A very slow retrieve is key. Dead-sticking is often the best technique. Many bass anglers prefer drop-shot rigs in the winter. Don't be afraid to use larger plastics or even hardware.
Regulations
Redmond Reservoir
Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike
No recent reports.
Sand Cove Reservoirs
Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout
No recent reports.
Sand Hollow Reservoir
Bluegill, Largemouth Bass
(Mar 4) The water temperature is in the mid- to upper-40s. Bass fishing pick up as the water warms into the 50s over the next month. Bass fishing should really turn on in April when the temperature hits 60. For coldwater bass, make sure you fish during the warmest part of the day. A very slow retrieve is key. Dead-sticking is often the best technique. Many bass anglers prefer drop-shot rigs in the winter, but don't be afraid to use larger plastics or even hardware.
(Feb 18) The water temperature is in the low- to mid-40s. Bass fishing slows down during the colder months, though it is still possible to catch fish. Make sure you fish during the warmest part of the day. A very slow retrieve is key. Dead-sticking is often the best technique. Many bass anglers prefer drop-shot rigs in the winter. Don't be afraid to use larger plastics or even hardware.
Regulations
Thousand Lakes Mountain
Trout
(Mar 4) Access is limited, with best access from I-70. Ice fishing can be good to excellent in Solomon Basin.
(Feb 18) Access is limited. The best access is from I-70. Ice fishing can be good to excellent in Solomon Basin.
Tropic Reservoir
Rainbow Trout
(Feb 18) Access is limited by snow.
Wide Hollow Reservoir
Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout
(Mar 4) The reservoir has been drained so that the dam can be rebuilt. It will be filled again in 2011.
Willow Lake
Rainbow Trout, Tiger Trout (hybrid)
No recent reports.
Yankee Meadow Reservoir
Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout
(Feb 18) You may need a snowmobile to access the reservoir. A few trucks have gotten stuck trying to get to the lake. You'll probably find good ice fishing, if you can get there.
Regulations
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