Curtain call for warm water fish

As fall progresses, the open water fishing for warm water fish closes down but just like in a good play, the cast comes out for a final curtain call or two. In northern Utah, the curtain calls are usually in October while in southern Utah they might stretch into November.

As the weather cools the surface waters, bass, walleye, bluegill and other warm water predators move back into the shallows to feed on minnows, the last of the summer insects, crayfish and other prey. This gives anglers one last opportunity for some great fast fishing.

"During the end of the summer, the surface waters on many of our lakes and reservoirs gets a bit too warm," said Ron Stewart, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). "Fish usually respond by going deeper to reach cooler waters making it more difficult for anglers to find them. In the fall the surface waters cool, allowing these fish to come back up becoming more accessible to anglers.

"These fish are generally quite aggressive in their search for food and can often be found in the shallows in search of prey. The combination of an aggressive predator in close to shore is an opportunity for anglers of all ages."

Tips

Baits, lures and flies can all work well during the fall.

Look for signs of activity along the shoreline. This can be viewing the fish as they cruise along the banks, fish jumping, swirls where a fish is feeding or seeing minnows scatter among the shallows (often looks like someone threw a handful of sand into the water).

Try and match what the fish are feeding on if possible and cast your line out into the general area or out ahead of the fish.

It's often a play worthy of a standing ovation.

— Ron Stewart