Weekly Statewide Fishing Report

Our weekly rundown of fishing conditions at various locations in Utah

 

NORTHERN REGION

Information compiled by Phil Douglass
Northern Region Conservation Outreach Manager

Updated May 16

BLACK SMITH FORK RIVER - The river is running high and muddy. Use extreme caution.

BOUNTIFUL POND - Fishing success is slow.

CAUSEY RESERVOIR - Fishing success is fair. Anglers using worm report better success. Pressure is moderate. The water is high and murky.

CLEARFIELD (MABEY) POND - Fishing success is slow.

CLINTON CITY POND - Fishing success is slow.

EAST CANYON - Fishing success is fair. Anglers are having luck on worms and green PowerBait.

ECHO RESERVOIR - Fishing success is good. Anglers using PowerBait, worms with marshmallow, and rapalas were having good success. The anglers were mainly catching rainbow trout and an occasional cutthroat trout.

FARMINGTON POND - Fishing success is slow.

HONEYVILLE PONDS - Are closed until Memorial Day 2005.

KAYSVILLE PONDS - Fishing success is slow.

LOGAN RIVER - The river is running high, fast, and muddy. Use extreme caution.

LOST CREEK RESERVOIR - Fishing success is fair. Anglers are having the best success with PowerBait off the bottom.

OGDEN RIVER (SOUTH FORK) - The river is running high, fast, and muddy. Use extreme caution.

PINEVIEW RESERVOIR - Fishing success was slow. Anglers reported catching a few crappie, perch, and rainbow trout using PowerBait and worms.

WEBER RIVER - Running high, fast and muddy. Use extreme caution when near the river.

WILLARD BAY - Fishing success is slow to fair. Anglers report better success in the evening hours for Wipers.

CENTRAL REGION

Information compiled by Scott Root
Central Region Conservation Outreach Manager

Updated May 11

STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR - (May 11) Ice is almost free of ice now. Anglers report fair to good fishing success. Access in possible around much of the reservoir including Renegade. Regulations include an aggregate limite 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. Immediately release all cutthroat between 15 and 22 inches long (consider any fish with cutthroat markings to be 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!

JORDANELLE RESERVOIR - (May 11) Open Water. Fair to good success reported by most anglers (mostly for trout). Perch limit was raised to 50 fish this year. Bass limit is six, but immediatley release all bass over 12 inches long. Do your part to 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.

PROVO RIVER (above Olmstead Diversion Dam) - (May 11) Success remains good by using standard Provo River nymphs below the surface (size 18 and smaller) such as pheasant tails, gold-ribbed hares ear and other small nymphs which work well on the "artificial fly & lure only" stretches. Special regulations apply to much of this river. Please read the proclamation for details. Between Charleston Bridge and the Legacy Bridge (near Midway) the use of bait is allowed and a standard limit of four trout (any trout species and any size). Do your part to 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.

PROVO RIVER (below Olmstead) (May 11) White bass are staging and starting to get caught on the lower part of the river near the lake (The river is open again below I-15). Fishing success is fair to good by using standard Provo River flies size 18 to 22. Worms are a good bet as well for trout. Light fishing pressure.

DEER CREEK RESERVOIR - (May 11) Walleye success is slow. Fair success from shoreline and boats for trout. PowerBait or a worm/marshmallow combination have been the most popular baits from shoreline. Trolling pop gear and worm have been effective. Boat ramps are available for launching. Regulations: Trout limit is four (statewide); walleye limit is six, but only one can be over 20 inches; bass limit is six, but immediately release all bas over 12 inches long. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

UTAH LAKE - (May 11) Despite recent storms, still getting reports of success for most species; walleye, white bass, bullhead catfish and channel catfish are all being caught right now. Curly tail jigs seem to be better than bait (mainly dead minnows) for walleye and white bass this week. Walleye limit is six, but only one can be over 20 inches. There is no limit on white bass. Largemouth and smallmouth bass limit is six, but immediately release all largemouth and smallmouth bass over 12 inches. For more information, call Utah Lake State Park at (801) 375-0731.

YUBA RESERVOIR - (May 11) Fishing pressure is light and success is slow to fair for big rainbow trout. Remember: Anglers must release perch. For more info call the State Park at (435) 758-2611.

BURRASTON PONDS - (May 11) Fair to good fishing success by using traditional baits. Please take garbage bags and help clean up the area.

HOBBLE CREEK & DIAMOND FORK RIVERS - (May 11) Water is running high and murky. Hobble Creek catch basin is full and was stocked. Bait is allowed on most of Diamond Fork and all of Hobble Creek. Diamond Fork, from Springville Crossing to it headwaters, is artificial flies and lures only, and it is closed to cutthroat trout possessiion.

SPRING LAKE & SALEM POND - (May 11) Both waters have been stocked. Fair to good fishing success. Regulations on both waters include a limit of four fish. Daily bag and possession limit is an aggregate total of four fish for all species; for example, one trout, two channel catfish and one bluegill.

PAYSON LAKES - (May 11) Lower canyon gate is now open but upper gate in the canyon is still locked and Payson Lakes are still snowed in (still six feet of snow!). Expect access around Memorial Day.

WILLOW POND (Murray) - (May 11) Stocked! Fair to good success for trout. Try standard fishing techniques and baits.

TIBBLE FORK RESERVOIR - (May 11) Fair success this week with baits from shoreline.

VERNON, GRANTSVILLE AND SETTLEMENT CANYON RESERVOIRS - (May 11) Reservoirs have been stocked.

NORTHEASTERN REGION

Information compiled by Ron Stewart
Northeastern Region Conservation Outreach Manager

Updated May 11

NORTHEASTERN REGION - Conservation officers are asking anglers to read the proclamations and understand the rules before venturing out. With the good spring fishing, it's relatively easy to catch more than the daily or bag limit. Taking fish back to a camper or residence does not allow the angler to return and catch more fish. Also, the only legal fishing technique on almost all of Utah's waters is pole, line and hook. The few exceptions are listed in the proclamation. The use of nets, bags, coolers, clubs, hands, etc. are definitely illegal.

BIG SAND WASH RESERVOIR - Reservoir is drained for repairs and was treated to remove fish in early September. Plans are to improve the boat ramp and then fill this spring. Look for restocking in late spring.

BULLOCK/COTTONWOOD RESERVOIRS - No new reports. Cottonwood doesn't have many fish in it. It was drained last summer to work on dam. Reservoirs are located approximately five miles north of the town of Gusher.

BROUGH RESERVOIR - Reservoir is ice free, fishing fair to good. Reservoir is being filled. Note: Special regulations, please read proclamation. 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. Follow this road approximately two miles staying to the left at each main fork. Road can be quite muddy and rutted.

BROWNIE/SPIRIT LAKE - No new reports. The roads are gated. Access is by skis or snowmobiles. Both waters should be good fishing.

EAST PARK/OAKS PARK - No new reports. Lakes have ice, check it carefully. Roads closed for the winter, access by skis or snowmobile.

CALDER /CROUSE RESERVOIRS - Calder (2004) joined Crouse (2002) as a drought victim. DWR biologists determined Calder had a complete winterkill just prior to ice melt. Update for 2005: Calder is full and overflow now going into Crouse. Depending on how much water is claimed by earlier water rights, Crouse may fill this year. Plans are to stock both reservoirs later this spring.

CURRANT CREEK RESERVOIR - No new reports. The road around the reservoir is inaccessible. Road to the dam is maintained periodically. Reservoir probably still has ice but not in good enough condition to risk for ice fishing. If you do go out, check ice carefully, especially around edges.

FLAMING GORGE RESERVOIR - (May 18) All reservoir ramps are open with a surface water temperature of 50° F. Fishing from Squaw Hollow to the Confluence has been good for two five-pound lake trout over the river channel using three-inch jigs tipped with sucker meat or a minnow, or trolling small flatfish, spoons or a minnow behind flashers. There have been reports of larger lake trout caught in the Anvil Draw, Linwood, Antelope, Stateline, Jarvies and Mustang areas. Look for fish 50 to 90 feet deep over points and along the river channel. Techniques include trolling bottom structure using down riggers or steel line and flatfish, crank baits, or a flasher trailing a squid or small lure; or vertical jigging using tube or bucktail jigs with or without a minnow or sucker meat. Lake trout can inhabit shallow water this time of year, so another effective technique is long-lining a Rapala or similar lure on monofilament early mornings or late evenings along shoreline areas as well as over traditional runs. There are many small- and medium-sized lake trout in Flaming Gorge, so please take advantage of the six-fish lake trout regulation (one over 28 inches) and harvest a limit. Rainbow trout fishing is good at South Buckboard, Squaw Hollow, Anvil Draw, Linwood, Sheep Creek and Mustang. Shore fishermen should try a nightcrawler/marshmallow combo or Powerbait just off the bottom, or cast spinners or jigs. Kokanee salmon fishing is improving, with good reports from Pipeline to Wildhorse at 10–20 foot depths. Other good areas include Gold Point, Hideout, Sheep Creek, Squaw Hollow and Big Bend. Try trolling a needlefish or small fluorescent spoon with or without a dodger or flasher behind a downrigger or with lead core line. Smallmouth bass fishing is generally slow due to the cool water temperatures, however fish are becoming active in the backs of bays in the middle portion of the reservoir.

GREEN RIVER (upper) - (May 18) Flows have been ramped up to the high generation flow of 4600 cfs consistent with the 2000 Flow Recommendations for recovery of threatened and endangered downstream fish. In addition, bypass flows will occur for limited duration beginning May 18 to match natural peak runoff from the Yampa River to acheive specific Recovery Program study objectives. Please visit the Bureau of Reclamation Web site at www.uc.usbr.gov for the latest information. BWO hatches along with daily midge activity continue to provide good surface action, particularly during afternoons in the Little Hole area. Try mayfly patterns size 14–18, and midge patterns 18–22. Nymph fishing remains good with a variety of patterns, including olive, tan or pink scuds, size 10–16; San Juan Worms, size 12–14; bead head midge, size 16–22; pheasant tails, size 16–20, and Glo Bugs. For streamer fishing, try brown, tan or olive wooly buggers, size 2–6, and light-colored bunny patterns or minnow imitations. Spin fishermen should try small rapalas; spinners; black, brown or olive marabou jigs; and tube jigs. New Zealand Mudsnail densities have dramatically increased in several localized areas near Little Hole, and have been documented within several miles of the dam. 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) River is ice-free and has returned to a more normal spring flow. Water is muddy due to runoff. No reports from anglers.

MATT WARNER RESERVOIR - The reservoir is overflowing. Anglers were able to access the reservoir over the weekend and enjoyed good fishing. However, the area has also received considerable amounts of rain and snow this week so visitors are asked to be considerate and not damage the roads.

MOON LAKE - No new reports. Old reports of good fishing for smaller fish, a few larger fish also being reported. Weather was warm and windy with some recent snowfall. Ice likely but not in good enough condition to ice fish.

PELICAN LAKE - Anglers report slow fishing for bass and a few bluegill also being taken. Reservoir is full. Be careful of strong afternoon winds. Catch rates should pick up quickly after a few warm days.

RED FLEET RESERVOIR - Report of fair to good fishing for rainbows, no reports yet for bass or bluegill.

STARVATION RESERVOIR - Only a few anglers have been out partially due to high winds. Anglers report slow fishing for bass, walleye and brown trout.

STEINAKER RESERVOIR - Anglers report slow fishing for bass and fair for trout. The ramp is open. The reservoir is filling.

UINTA MOUNTAIN LAKES AND STREAMS - High-elevation lakes, ponds and slow-moving waters are frozen with above average snowfall. Lower elevation streams are muddy. Be prepared still for serious spring weather; area may receive unexpected snowstorms and high winds. Note: four trout limit with a bonus of four more brook trout — see proclamation for details.

SOUTHEASTERN REGION

Information compiled by Brent Stettler
Southeastern Region Conservation Outreach Manager

Updated May 18

ABAJO MOUNTAINS - Aquatic biologists Justin Hart and Craig Walker fished Recapture Reservoir this past weekend. They caught several small pike and a 12-inch largemouth bass. Craig hooked a three- or four-pound pike but lost it. They had most luck with large, chartreuse, skirted, double-bladed spinnerbaits. Blanding #4 Reservoir was stocked with 3,500 10-inch rainbow trout. Blanding #3 was stocked with 1,500 10-inch trout.

BENCHES RESERVOIR - The reservoir is open near the spillway. The icepack is mushy. Ice-off is expected within a week. The reservoir's tributary is closed to fishing until July 9th.

BOULGER RESERVOIR - The reservoir is open near the inlet, and the ice is soft elsewhere. Access by snowshoe or snow machine only. The tributary is closed until July 9.

CLEVELAND RESERVOIR - Ice-off is expected within a week, pending fair weather and rising temperatures. Todd Munford of Big Pine Sports in Fairview recommends using a nightcrawler with split shot or a black (or olive), 1/32-ounce jig with a piece of nightcrawler suspended by a floating bubble.

ELECTRIC LAKE - The north end is open, and the ice is getting slushy and soft elsewhere. The ice fishing season is over. Todd Munford reports that cutthroat trout are stacking near the inlet for the spring spawn. A nightcrawler/salmon egg combination was the best bet. The best lures have been tan or rust Roostertails or 1/8-ounce brown marabou jigs. Tributaries are closed to fishing until July 9th to protect spawning cutthroat trout.

FAIRVIEW LAKES - Restocking is expected to occur as soon as the hatchery truck can gain access. This may not occur by Memorial Day.

GOOSEBERRY RESERVOIR - The reservoir is mostly frozen, depending on the weather. Water along the east shoreline opens up on warm days. Access by snow machine only. Tributaries are closed to fishing until July 9th.

HUNTINGTON CREEK - The water is rising and becoming turbid. Todd Munford advises anglers in the fly-only zone to use large attractor patterns, trailed by small nymphs, such as the RS 2, WD-40, or Lil Brassie. Brown trout are generally within the 10- to 12-inch size class. Below the fly fishing zone, Munford recommends 1/16 ounce black marabou jigs, drifted in deeper riffles. Nightcrawlers and red worms are proving effective on the right fork, below the fly-only zone.

HUNTINGTON RESERVOIR (on the Wasatch Plateau, Sanpete County) The reservoir's shoreline opens a little during warm spells and closes back up when temperatures drop. Ice fishing season is over, but anglers will have to wait a week or two before shoreline fishing becomes available.

JOES VALLEY RESERVOIR - The reservoir is open. Angler Tom Ogden recently fished near Seely Cove from a pontoon boat using a #6 green leech. He caught a number of splake below or in the slot, and hooked one above the slot, which was lost. Brad Crompton, DWR wildlife biologist hooked a number of smaller splake this past weekend using chub meat. More than a week ago, one angler reported catching a four- or five-pound splake while fishing from a pontoon boat with sinking line and a large streamer. Special regulations apply: The limit is two trout — only one over 22 inches. All trout between 15 and 22 inches must be immediately released.

LASAL MOUNTAINS - Sergeant Edward Meyers reports that Hidden Lake is now accessible. Don's Lake should be accessible in the very near future. Catfishing on the Colorado River was fair with traditional baits. Oowah has open water, although the gate remains closed. For anglers willing to hike the three miles beyond the gate, fishing was good for 10- to 12-inch trout with salmon eggs and spinners. Kens Lake was stocked with 7,000 catchable-size rainbow trout. Officer Nicholson reports good fishing at Kens for 10- to 13-inch rainbows and an occasional brown trout. Fishermen have done well with spinners and PowerBait. A few bass and catfish are also being caught. The trout limit is four.

MILLER FLAT RESERVOIR - Access by snow machine only. The reservoir is starting to open up on warm days, and fishing is expected to be good with salmon eggs or chartreuse PowerBait.

MILLSITE RESERVOIR - Aquatics Biologist Craig Walker recommends that anglers fish the deep drop-offs with a jig, spinner or leech pattern. Bait fishermen should try eggs on the bottom with a slip sinker.

SCOFIELD RESERVOIR - The reservoir is ice-free, and angler pressure is high on weekends. Best fishing occurs in early morning. The best bait is trout egg sacs. Remember that it's illegal to harvest eggs from a female trout and then release the fish back into the water. Also, be advised that many trout die when hooked with egg sacs. Please harvest the fish which are injured by hooks. Another good bait is the redside shiner, which can be caught at the reservoir with a minnow trap. Shiners are coming into shore to spawn, and trout are feeding on these bait fish. Last weekend, shoreline anglers had better luck than boats. The reservoir level has begun to rise, flooding dry, weedy ground. An abundance of worms, grubs and aquatic insects are being picked up by trout, cruising the shoreline. Please remember that all tributaries to Scofield Reservoir are closed to fishing until July 9th to protect spawning cutthroat trout.

LAKE POWELL

By Wayne Gustaveson, www.wayneswords.com

Updated May 18

Lake elevation: 3,570 ft., water temperature: 62–70° F.

Lake Powell has risen 15 feet this spring. Launch ramps are open and operating. Now the first hot ambient temperatures of the year will bring some big changes to fish behavior.

Bass have spawned twice already but this warming will mark the final spawn of the season. The weather has been so unsettled that bass are in various stages of prespawn, postspawn, and actual spawning. That means they can be deep, shallow, or any place in between. The good news is that they can be caught just about anywhere on any lure. Little smallmouth bass are in shallows and big ones are a bit deeper. Expect good bass catching to continue for at least another two weeks. Just remember to fish the deeper structure. The water has come up over three feet this week. The shoreline may have been dry land only yesterday so fish places that have been wet for at least a week for best results. While soft plastic tubes and grubs may be the best all-around bass lures it is possible to catch them on virtually any lure that can be fished close to rocky structure. Bass fishing is pretty darn good right now. If they don't bite in one spot try the next cove or point until they are found. Do not spend time fishing unproductive water. Keep moving.

Stripers are impatiently waiting for hot weather to trigger spawning. Ripe males are on deep long points near the mouth of canyons. Small groups of females are in the backs of canyons looking for shad or on rocky points dredging up crayfish. The only schooling action may be when stripers chase shad in shallow murky water (less than 10 feet) near the backs of canyons. Stripers are scattered, making trolling the most consistent technique of covering a lot of water and presenting the lure to the most fish. Lures that run 12 to 25 feet deep are the most successful for males holding off long points and for females on the ends of rocky bluffs. Lipless vibrators (rattletraps) are good shallow water trollers for shad-chasing stripers found in shallow water in the backs of canyons and coves. Trolling the shoreline contour along the 20 to 40 foot strata is the most effective pattern and much better than trolling in a straight line across the bay. Trolling works best early and late. When that bite slows down use anchovies in areas where stripers were caught earlier.

During the next week or two warm temperatures will trigger the striper spawn. Scattered stripers will then gather in large congregations in selected coves in each canyon and spawn on the water surface at dusk. When the sun dips below the canyon rim start trolling points and look for a congregation of ripe males. Rolling and splashing of a large group of six- to 10-pound stripers is hard to miss. Find a striper-spawning cove to live the fishing trip that dreams are made of. Every cast will produce an adult fish from four to 50 pounds. The action is mainly after dark so it is necessary to be prepared to fish at night along a familiar shoreline to prevent accidents. Get familiar with the shoreline and then go back after dark to see if the big females have come in. It may be best to camp on shore near the congregation of males if possible. Use a single hook to make quick work of removing the hook after dark. I prefer a 1-ounce bucktail jig with a chartreuse plastic grub trailer. This lure has the versatility to fish deep or shallow and at varying rates of speed. It can be presented to stripers at any depth and will seldom tangle in the dark of night.

Walleye are active at night along the rocky shoreline and can be caught while searching for spawning stripers. Troll shallow crankbaits or drag grubs along the bottom for a bonus walleye. This looks to be a good week for fishing. I am excited about it.

SOUTHERN REGION

Information compiled by Mike Ottenbacher
DWR Southern Region

Updated May 18

BAKER RESERVOIR - The reservoir is full. The reservoir was stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout. Fair fishing reported so far. Try PowerBait or worms.

BEAVER MOUNTAIN LAKES - Little Reservoir is now accessible by truck but lakes above are still snowed in. It will be a week or so until there is access to Kents Lake. There may not be access to Labaron Reservoir until near June. Kents Lake and Lower Kents lake were treated with rotenone last fall to remove golden shiners. Stocking will not begin until later this month.

BEAVER RIVER - Flows and turbidity have started to increase in the canyon. Flows could increase rapidly with the warm weather forecast for this week. Little fishing pressure. Catchable rainbow trout will be stocked in the lower river some time this month. Most of the lower river is private property so please treat the area with respect to maintain public access. 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 - Access is limited by snow but conditions are changing rapidly with warm weather. Snowpack on the mountain is more than 200 percent of normal, so ice-out and access to lakes may be later than normal. Ice is generally off some of the lower elevation lakes by late May. Vehicle access to the top is generally not possible until some time in June even on dry years. 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 - Small stream east of Fillmore. The gates at the Forest Boundary are now open. The stream was running somewhat high and turbid with runoff. When it clears it can be good fishing for small wild rainbow trout and rainbow/cutthroat hybrids. 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.

CORN CREEK - The Forest Service gates are now open. The stream may still be turbid with runoff. Small brown trout are abundant. Little pressure so far. This is one spot where it won't hurt to keep a few fish to eat to help reduce the numbers of fish. Try bait, spinners or nymph patterns when it's clear. Hopper and cricket patterns will also work a little later.

CLEAR CREEK - Small stream along I-70 by Fremont Indian State Park. The lower stream is high and turbid. The upper stream may still be fishable depending upon the weather. Wild rainbow and brown trout. The tributaries also contain populations of small, wild trout. The fishing can be good when the water clears. Try nymph or bugger patterns or bait while flows are high.

DUCK CREEK/ASPEN MIRROR - Ice is off Duck Creek but there is still lots of snow around the lake. A few trout left from last year's stocking have been caught. Snow still prevents access to Aspen Mirror. Stocking for this year will not begin until late May.

EAST FORK OF THE SEVIER RIVER - The river in Black Canyon is flooding. It will likely be some time before the river is down and fishable. 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. Releases have begun from Otter Creek Reservoir and flows are also bypassing the Otter Creek Res diversion so the stream in Kingston Canyon is higher and turbid. There is public access on a section 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.

ENTERPRISE RESERVOIR - Upper and Lower): Both reservoirs are full. The main access road and area surrounding the reservoirs was closed to public travel by the Forest Service as a safety precaution and to enable completion of road repairs. Continued precipitation and runoff have delayed repairs. No new news on when the reservoirs will be accessible.

FISH LAKE - The ice may be mostly off by the time you read this. Last weekend there was 50-200 feet of open water along the shoreline. Some success reported for rainbows and splake in the Twin Creeks area. (Remember the stream itself is closed to fishing). There is generally some good fishing for splake along the shoreline as the ice recedes. Night fishing can be effective at this time, stillfishing with a piece of perch or sucker meat or using a whole dead minnow. As the lake begins to open up it is closed to boating by the Sevier County Sheriff until the ice is all gone. Once the ice is gone, it will be good fishing for splake from boats using techniques similar to those used during ice fishing. Try jigging a light-colored spoon or tube-jig tipped with sucker or perch meat near the bottom in 25 to 40 feet of water. Trolling pop gear with a worm or still fishing with PowerBait will work for rainbows. Any small lure tipped with a piece of bait will work for perch. Special regulations for Fish Lake include no more than two of your four trout limit may be lake trout and only one may be a lake trout larger than 20 inches.

FORSYTH RESERVOIR - The reservoir is full and now ice free. Try casting spinners or bait for tiger trout, splake and brown trout. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

FREMONT RIVER - Releases from Johnson Reservoir were scheduled to start last week. Increased flows in the section between Johnson Reservoir and Mill Meadow Reservoir will require a change in technique. Try bait, nymphs or small spinners is the slower pools or backwater areas. Small brown trout are abundant in the section between Mamoit Springs and Mill Meadow. The lower river in the Bicknell Bottoms was running somewhat turbid. Private property along much of the lower section, obtain permission before fishing. 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.

GUNNISON BEND RESERVOIR, DMAD - Some reports of catfish and white bass being taken at Gunnison Bend. Reports of largemouth bass at DMAD. Please respect private property surrounding the reservoir.

GUNLOCK RESERVOIR - Some bass are now being reported. The water temp is around 60. Try plastics or crayfish crank baits. Still not much reported on bluegill and crappie. That could change with the warmer weathe forecast for the next week. Remember special regulations for bass - four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches.

JOHNSON RESERVOIR - Access is possible from Fish Lake. The ice should be gone by the time you read this. Abundant chubs, suckers and small perch are a problem here. A limited number of tiger muskies have been stocked in Johnson Reservoir. A number of them have been in the reservoir long enough to produce some large fish. If you catch one, please contact the nearest DWR office with some details.

KOLOB RESERVOIR - Snow restricts access from both sides. Access from the south may be possible within a week or so with the warm weather forecast. No recent reports on ice conditions at the lake. The ice should be going soon. 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.

KOOSHAREM RESERVOIR - The reservoir is full. Slow to fair fishing so far. Best success was from boats. Lures, and popgear have been effective while trolling. Nightcrawlers with a marshmallow or PowerBait has worked from shore. Rainbow and cutthroat trout 12 to 17 inches. Expect some wind.

LOWER BOWNS RESERVOIR - The road is now open and the ice is off the reservoir. The reservoir is filling rapidly. Limited reports of good fishing for 12 inch rainbows using bait.

MILL MEADOW RESERVOIR - The ice is off and the reservoir is near full. Little fishing pressure so far but some reports of good success. Try spinners or bait from shore. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

MINERSVILLE RESERVOIR - Ice is off. Survival of the fish stocked last fall was relatively good with most fish now 13 to 15 inches. More fishing pressure now with better success. Best fishing was from float tubes dragging wooly buggers. The upper end may get turbid with runoff. 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 prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

MONROE MOUNTAIN LAKES - Access is restricted by snow and lakes are frozen. Lower Box Creek should bee accessible within a week or so.

NAVAJO LAKE - Snow restricts access. Ice is starting to go around the edges.

NEWCASTLE RESERVOIR - The reservoir is full. Open water. Slow fishing for rainbow trout. A substantial number of catchable-sized rainbows have been recently stocked. Try PowerBait or worms from shore. Fishing for smallmouth bass was slow but could pick up any time. Water temp is near 60.

OTTER CREEK RESERVOIR - The reservoir is near full. Fish stocked last fall are still relatively small but will grow quickly the next couple of months. A limited number of catchable-sized rainbows have also been stocked. The water is now clearing a little but will still be turbid in the inflow areas. Fish early to beat the spring winds. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

PANGUITCH LAKE - The ice is off. Fair success for 12-inch rainbow trout using PowerBait from shore. Some success has also been reported from anglers trolling popgear. Special regulations include the release of all cutthroat trout under 22 inches. Only one cutthroat trout (over 22 inches) may be kept in your daily limit of four trout. The sections of the tributaries near the lake are closed to fishing until July 9.

PARAGONAH (RED CREEK) RESERVOIR - The reservoir is accessible by 4 wheel drive but the upper road is muddy. The ice is off. Good fishing using sinking flies or leech/bugger patterns in the upper lake and using bait off the points. Remember, the stream above the reservoir is closed to fishing until July 9. Most of the fish in the lake are the result of spawning of wild fish and recruitment from the stream.

PINE LAKE - The ice is off and the lake is accessible. Slow fishing reported for some holdover rainbows and cutthroat trout. The lake will be stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout within a week.

PINE VALLEY RESERVOIR - Ice is off. Reports of a few fish being caught. Rainbow trout will be stocked in May.

PIUTE RESERVOIR - The reservoir is now filling and about 70 percent full. Open water. Trout stocked last fall are 10 or 11 inches and will grow rapidly now. Little pressure and slow success reported so far.

QUAIL LAKE - The lake is near full. Good success for rainbow trout trolling near the surface. Pop gear with a worm or spoons have been working. Bass have been on nests. Success reported from both boats and shore. Water temp was in the low 60's. Some bluegill and crappie also reported now. Remember the special regulations for bass - four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches.

REDMOND LAKE - Limited fishing pressure. The reservoir is filling. Slow for pike. Try a large spoon, Rapala-type lure or dead minnow.

REX RESERVOIR - The reservoir is now filling and is turbid. Fair to good fishing for cutthroat and rainbows using worms or PowerBait.

SAND HOLLOW RESERVOIR: A large reservoir near St. George. Public access to the reservoir is available only through the State Park. The lake is filling and has surpassed the previous year's high water mark. Water temp is in the mid 60's. Good fishing for largemouth bass up to 16 inches. A few over 20 have been taken. Best success was on the east and south sides. Plastic baits and spinner baits have been effective. Bluegill now showing up. Try a small tube jig or piece of worm. Special regulations for bass - four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches.

SEVIER RIVER, ASAY CREEK, MAMMOTH CREEK - The main stem and tributaries are at flood stage. Most of the trout water on the 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. The river contains mainly brown trout and mountain whitefish. Asay Creek west of Highway 89 is on private land and access is restricted. Public access is possible on some of Mammoth Creek west of Highway 89. Special regulations apply to a section of Mammoth Creek, check the proclamation for details. Water is being released from Piute Reservoir so the river is high and turbid in Marysvale Canyon. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

THOUSAND LAKES MTN - Access is restricted by snow. No recent reports.

TROPIC RESERVOIR - The reservoir is located at the head of the East Fork of the Sevier River, west of Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park. Access is restricted because of snow.

URBAN PONDS - The two Tawa ponds along the Snow Canyon Parkway and the Skyline Drive Pond in St. George have been stocked with trout for the last time. The Tawa Ponds contain bass, bluegill and green sunfish which will still provide some fishing during the summer. Small bass have been restocked at the Skyline pond to reestablish a population of largemouth following draining this past winter. The Hurricane Pond has also been stocked with rainbow trout but fishing there was slow. The trout limit is two at the St. George ponds. Catch and release only for largemouth bass. Anglers 14 years or older need a valid Utah fishing license to fish here. Older anglers are requested to use artificial flies or lures. The Parowan Pond has also been stocked with rainbow trout.

WIDE HOLLOW RESERVOIR - Reservoir at Escalante State Park west of the town of Escalante. The reservoir is full and was stocked with catchable-size rainbow trout. Fishing was spotty for trout using spinners and PowerBait. Bass and bluegill are not active yet.

YANKEE MEADOW RESERVOIR - The lake is now accessible and the ice should be off by the time you read this. A popular spot for rainbows, brookies and cutthroat this time of year. Try bait or spinners from shore. Please pack out your garbage.

Click Here To Return To The Previous Page