5/24/2007

Find Utah's Best Fishing

DWR Web site provides new, interactive fishing feature

With Utah's fishing season in full swing, many anglers are wondering where the best places are to wet a line.

The Division of Wildlife Resources' Web site provides two ways to find out.

Fishing hotspots

In addition to the weekly fishing report that's available at the site wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/reports.php anglers can also receive information through a relatively new, interactive feature the "Utah Fishing Hotspots" locator.

Anglers can access the hotspots feature at wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots.

"The hotspots page provides anglers with some neat features," says Roger Wilson, cold water fisheries coordinator for the DWR. "One of the best is the ability to glance at the page and know immediately where the best fishing is.

"The hotspots locator also provides several ways to search for the best fishing in Utah," he says. "You can search based on how fast anglers are catching fish at various waters, or you can search based on the species of fish you'd like to catch. You can even search based on the type of water you'd like to fish.

"We encourage anglers to visit wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots and let us know what you think about the feature," Wilson says.

Second pole permits

Once you've found the water you want to fish, you can "double" your fun by buying a second pole fishing permit.

A second pole permit allows you to fish with two fishing poles at any fishing water in Utah.

To use a second pole permit, you must also have a valid 365-day Utah fishing or combination license. And while you may use two poles, you may catch only one limit of fish.

"The best thing about the second pole permit is that it allows you to zero in and figure out what the fish want that day," Wilson says. "For example, if you're fishing from a boat, you can put one bait or lure on one line and a different bait or lure on your second line. You can also fish each line at a different depth."

Wilson says shore anglers can also benefit from the second pole permit. "In addition to trying different baits and lures, you can also broaden your fishing area by casting to two slightly different areas. Just remember that you cannot be more than 100 feet away from either of your poles."

Licenses and second pole permits are available at wildlife.utah.gov and at DWR offices and fishing license agent locations across the state.

For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.