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Huntington Creek
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NORTHERN REGION
Information compiled by Phil Douglass
Northern Region Conservation Outreach Manager
BEAR LAKE - Little has changed in the way of fishing at Bear Lake during the last week. Fishermen who are paying attention to the depths they are fishing in are still doing well for cutthroat and lake trout. The majority of the fish are being taken in water less than 20 feet deep. Anglers are trolling parallel to shore and watching the depth very carefully. Most luck is coming in about 15 feet of water. Trolling with flatlines using rapala-type lures and deep diving crank baits are having the best success, however, it can pay off to switch lures until you find one that is producing better than the rest. Trolling speed is also important. This past week the slowest speeds have produced the best action. However, if you are not catching fish try slowly increasing the speed until you find active fish. It seems the fish are biting well around the entire lake at this time. Some of the more popular spots include: along the Boy Scout Camp on the east side of the lake and from the State Park Marina north to the "no fishing" buoys off the mouth of Swan Creek. If you are fishing with downriggers try setting them at 10–15 feet down and your lure about 75–100 feet behind the cannon ball. I have yet to see or hear of any anglers who have been jigging, but don't overlook this method, since it should also work. Try using tube jigs tipped with cisco and start fishing in shallow depths 15–20 feet and then keep moving deeper until you locate active fish. Fish can be found at all depths at this time of year since the water is still very cold and the lake is not thermally stratified. Since the weather has warmed up the fishing should really improve until the water begins to stratify.
The newly refurbished Utah State Park Marina is now open. There are two new launching lanes, a new vistor's center, a fish cleaning station, and additional bathrooms/showers. Anglers can also launch small boats off the low-water boat ramp at Cisco Beach and a dock is now provided at this site. This ramp is paved, but there is no protection from the wind and the concrete does not extend very far into the water.
BOUNTIFUL POND - Fishing is fair. Reminder: bag and possession is a total of four fish.
CAUSEY RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair. Anglers are having success using PowerBait, salmon eggs, marshmallows and worms. The most success was in the inlet catching rainbows and cutthroat.
CLINTON CITY PARK POND - Fishing is fair. Possible catch: Rainbow trout, bluegill, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Reminder: bag and possession is a total of four fish.
EAST CANYON RESERVOIR Fishing is fair to good. Shore anglers have reported spotty success using yellow or rainbow PowerBait. Boat anglers seeing moderate success. The best success was reported in the south east arm of the reservoir. Boat anglers have been using worm and popgear or a green flatfish.
ECHO RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair. Anglers are catching perch and a few rainbows using worms dipped in liquid PowerBait. Best success is with perch. Fishing is best on West side in river and also near the dam.
FARMINGTON POND - Fishing is fair. Bag and possession is a total of four fish.
KAYSVILLE PONDS - Fishing is fair. Possible catch: Rainbow trout, channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, green sunfish, and black bullhead. Bag and possession is a total of four fish.
HONEYVILLE POND - Fishing is fair. Trout limit is four.
HYRUM RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair for rainbow trout and bass.
LOST CREEK RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair to good. Lots of small Rainbows and Crawfish. Rainbows are biting on worms, green PowerBait and mepps and jakes spinners (anything gold with red). Fishing is best near dam and boat ramp. Later in evening flys behind a bubble full of water works as well (crystal killers). Very light pressure.
MABEY (CLEARFIELD CITY) POND - Fishing is slow to fair for catfish.
MANTUA - Fishing is slow to fair. Anglers are having success catching bluegill and bass using large and small jigs. Rainbow trout have been caught on the east side of the reservoir, from boats, and near the inlets.
NEWTON RESERVOIR - Fishing is slow to fair for crappie. Pressure is light. The water level is low.
PINEVIEW RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair. Lots of Carp along shore lines. Fishing for crappie is slow. Perch and catfish are biting on worms dipped in liquid PowerBait. Tiger Muski are slow, but flies are working as well as large rapalas in weeded areas.
PORCUPINE RESERVOIR - Fishing is slow to fair. Anglers are having luck using #8 black crystal bugger.
OGDEN RIVER - Fishing is fair to good. Water level and clarity is good. Anglers are having some success in the canyon, but the best reports are along the Ogden river parkway by the dinosaur park. Salmon fly hatch seems to be over for the most part, however fly fishers are reporting good success in the late morning and early evening using blue wing olives, small elk hair caddis, and caddis larva patterns, Bait fisherman try worms in the faster moving water. Spin fisherman were using small maps spinners silver and red seemed to be the preferred color.
ROCKPORT RESERVOIR - Fishing at Rockport Reservoir is excellent. Fishing from shore and boat has produced great fishing success.
SMITH MOREHOUSE - Fishing is fair to good. The campgrounds are open.
WEBER RIVER - Fishing along the Weber River is good. Water has cleared up. Water levels have stabilized. There have been several hatches the last week. Fly fishing is best with Nymph's. Small spinners are working in deep holes. Worms are working well also. Fly fisherman where having a little luck in the slower ripples using small bead head hairs ears, bead head prince nymphs and caddis larva patterns. Spin anglers were having some success using black and red Panther Martins and bouncing a worm through the ripples.
WILLARD BAY - Fishing is fair. Anglers are having fair success using rapalas and Bass lures. There are a few trout near River Inlet. Best fishing is found near inlet.
UINTAS - Fishing along the Mirror Lake Highway is fair to good. Fish have been planted and will be planted in the Uinta lakes. Success is good, pressure is moderate. Snow/ice is melting fast from higher elevations and gone from most waters.
CENTRAL REGION
Information compiled by Scott Root
Central Region Conservation Outreach Manager
Stocked this week: Tibble Fork Reservoir, Silver Lake, Mill Creek, Payson Res. and Creek, Maple Lake, Canyon View Pond, Vivian Park pond, Silver Lake Flat Res., So. Willow Creek, Rainbow Res., Settlement Res., Santaquin Pond, McClellan Res.
STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR (June 9) - Try a green midge imitation for some good trout action. Rapalas have also worked pretty well in about 20 feet of water. Bait fishing was "fair." Regulations for the reservoir include an aggregate limit of four trout or kokanee salmone. No more than two may be cutthroat trout under 15 inches and no more than one may be a cutthroat over 22 inches in length. Immediately release all cutthroat between 15 and 22 inches (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!
JORDANELLE RESERVOIR (June 9) - Fair success for trout and small perch with standard techniques and baits. Success reported from both boat and shoreline for trout and perch. Smallmouth bass success has picked up. Anticipate paying $5.00 to park in at Hailstone and $4.00 on the Rock Cliff side. No parking along the highway. Perch limit is 50 fish. For updated conditions call (435) 649-9540. Bass limit is six; immediately release all bass over 12 inches. 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) (June 9) - Many insect hatches occurring and dry fly patterns are often effective. Good fishing success reported on this part of the river. Special regulations apply to much of this river. Please read the proclamation for details. This year's big change includes between Charleston Bridge and the Legacy Bridge (near Midway) which allows the use of bait and a standard limit of four trout (any trout species and any size). Standard Provo River nymphs (size 18 and smaller) such as gold-ribbed hares ear, scuds, pheasant tails, and other small nymphs will work best on the "artificial fly & lure only" stretches. 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 Diversion) (June 9) - (The Olmstead Diversion is located about one mile up the canyon from Bridal Veil Falls). Good fishing success using baits or flies. Harvest of trout is encouraged on this stretch as well due to overpopulation of brown trout.
DEER CREEK RESERVOIR (June 9) - Boat ramps are open. Many anglers are using standard baits and are reporting fair success for trout and slow success for perch. Trolling in the early morning hours has still been the most effective technique. Try pop-gear and a worm combination. Trout limit is four (statewide). Walleye limit is six but only one can be over 20 inches. Bass limit is six. Immediately release all bass over 12 inches. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.
UTAH LAKE (June 9) - Good success for catfish around the lake, most angler reports have come from Lincoln Beach area. Use standard fishing techniques depending on the species. No limit exists on white bass. Largemouth and smallmouth bass limit is six, but largemouth success is good. Immediately release all largemouth and smallmouth bass over 12 inches. For more information on conditions call Utah Lake State Park at (801) 375-0731.
YUBA RESERVOIR (June 9) - Painted Rock boat ramp is closed so use the main boat ramp. However, the State Park Ranger reports that boating conditions remain excellent. Trout fishing was fair for rainbow trout. Though the reservoir was stocked with 50,000 perch last year, anglers must release the perch. For more info call the State Park at (435) 758-2611.
BURRASTON PONDS (June 9) - Fair to good fishing success by using traditional baits.
HOBBLE CREEK & DIAMOND FORK RIVERS (June 9) - The Hobble Creek catch basin was drained. Both rivers are producing "fair" success with baits and flies. Diamond Fork, from Springville Crossing to it headwaters is "artificial flies and lures only," and it is closed to the possession of cutthroat trout.
SPRING LAKE & SALEM POND (June 9) - Fair to good success. Worms and PowerBait™ have been the most popular baits. Remember that 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.) Bass, bluegill and channel catfish are also in these waters.
CANYON VIEW POND & SPANISH OAKS POND (June 9) - Fair to good fishing success using standard fishing baits.
PAYSON LAKES (June 9) - Stocked with reports of fair to good success. Many fish surface in evening hours so try flies in the low light hours.
WILLOW POND (Murray) (June 9) - Success was reported as fair to good. Try standard fishing techniques and baits.
TIBBLE FORK RESERVOIR - (June 9) Stocked. Fair to good fishing success using standard baits, lures and flies.
VERNON, GRANTSVILLE AND SETTLEMENT CANYON RESERVOIRS (June 9) - Anglers report fair to good fishing on all these waters by using standard fishing baits.
Send your Central Region fishing tips to: scottroot@utah.gov
NORTHEASTERN REGION
Information compiled by Ron Stewart
Northeastern Region Conservation Outreach Manager
BIG SAND WASH RESERVOIR - Reports of fair to good fishing. The west side access will be closed due to construction work. The boat ramp will remain open and the east side may be accessed from the ramp.
BULLOCK/COTTONWOOD RESERVOIRS - Reports of fair fishing on Bullock. Cottonwood doesn't have much in it because of reports it may be drained. Reservoirs are located approximately five miles north of the town of Gusher.
BROUGH RESERVOIR - Reports of good fishing. Fishing from the bank, float tubes or small boats is recommended due to primitive launch conditions and water levels. 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 is quite rutted.
BROWNIE/SPIRIT LAKE - Report of fair to good fishing at Brownie. No reports from Spirit Lake but the USFS said the road is accessible (roughly four weeks early). Spirit Lake is usually good fishing this early in the season.
EAST PARK/OAKS PARK - Reports of good fishing, water levels are lower than usual. Expect roads to still have some muddy places.
CALDER/CROUSE RESERVOIRS - Calder (2004) joined Crouse (2002) as a drought victim. DWR biologists have determined Calder had a complete winterkill just prior to ice melt.
CURRANT CREEK RESERVOIR - Reports of good fishing. The road around the reservoir will still have muddy areas as it did receive some snow this last cold spell.
FLAMING GORGE RESERVOIR - All ramps except Anvil Draw are accessible. Surface water temperature is currently 55 degrees. Rainbow trout fishing is good along shoreline areas using PowerBait™, a marshmallow/worm combo, or a nightcrawler under a bobber. Boat fishermen are doing well casting small jigs or lures, especially on rocky points in Hideout, Sheep Creek and other Canyon areas. Lake trout fishing is fair to good with large fish reported at Antelope, Sheep Creek, Anvil Draw, Stateline and Jarvies. Action for small lake trout is very good from Squaw Hollow to Buckboard. Concentrate in 30 to 50 feet of water along the river channel. Good techniques include trolling bottom structure using down riggers or steel line and large flatfish or crank baits; or vertical jigging using tube or bucktail jigs with or without a minnow or sucker meat. There are many small- and medium-sized lake trout in Flaming Gorge, so please take advantage of the new six-fish lake trout regulation (one over 28 inches) and harvest a limit. Smallmouth bass are becoming active with pre-spawn fish being caught along rocky shorelines and in the back of bays. Try jigs, grubs and crankbaits imitating crayfish. Kokanee action also has improved recently with good reports from Gold Point, Hideout, and Squaw Hollow and Big Bend. Most fish are being caught at 30- to 40-foot depths trolling small fluorescent lures at moderate to fast speeds behind a downrigger. Some anglers prefer trailing the lure behind a dodger, flasher or string of popgear.
GREEN RIVER (upper) - Base flows have declined from the spring peak and will average 1000 cfs through the summer with afternoon fluctuations possible as high as 1600 cfs. Recent cool weather has delayed cicada activity, however dry fly fishing was improving with a few cicadas present to compliment midge and BWO hatches. The blue wing olives are especially prevalent on cool, cloudy days. Try cicada imitations, size 8–12, as well as various attractor patterns, beetles and small BWO patterns, size 18–22. Nymph fishing is still effective using olive, tan or pink scuds, size 10-16; San Juan Worms, size 12–14; bead head midge, size 16–22; and RS-II, WD-40, or pheasant tails, size 16-20. For streamer fishing, try brown, tan or olive wooly buggers, size 2–6, and light-colored minnow imitations. Spin fishermen have been doing well using small rapalas; spinners; black, brown or olive marabou jigs; and tube jigs. New Zealand Mudsnail densities have dramatically increased in several localized areas near and downstream of Little Hole. Please thoroughly clean mud and vegetation from waders, boats and fishing gear, and if possible, completely dry equipment before leaving the area.
GREEN RIVER (lower) - No new reports from anglers. Water levels remain low for this time of year look like mid-summer flows.
MATT WARNER RESERVOIR - Reports of good fishing. Roads are in good shape except for after storms.
MOON LAKE - Reports of good fishing. Road accessible and campgrounds open.
PELICAN LAKE - Reports of fair to good fishing. High winds have made fishing a real adventure.
RED FLEET RESERVOIR - Anglers report good to excellent fishing for rainbow trout. Bass and bluegill beginning to get good as well.
STARVATION RESERVOIR - Anglers report fair to good fishing for trout, bass, walleye and yellow perch.
STEINAKER RESERVOIR - Reports range from fair to excellent fishing for trout and bass. Anglers indicate its still mostly weather related, the best fishing was on warmer days.
UINTA MOUNTAIN LAKES AND STREAMS - High elevation lakes and ponds may still have some ice and snow but most have melted out. New snow fell at higher elevations during the last set of storms. Be prepared for any kind of weather. 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
ABAJO MOUNTAINS - Good fishing continues at Blanding #3 and Blanding #4 reservoirs with traditional baits. At Recapture Reservoir, fishing for northern pike continues to be fair with spinners from the shore or with Rapalas from a boat. Foy and Monticello continue to be good during the day with traditional baits and excellent in the evening with spinners. Lloyds Lake was fair near the inlet with traditional baits.
BENCHES RESERVOIR - Fishing success has ranged from poor to good for planted rainbow trout. Todd Munford of Big Pine Sports in Fairview recommends PowerBait or a nightcrawler and marshmallow. Todd suggests that fly fishermen use gold crystal buggers.
BOULGER RESERVOIR - Fishing has ranged from fair to good with worms, PowerBait, and small dry flies.
CLEVELAND RESERVOIR - Fishing was poor this past weekend, due to a large hatch of insects. Shore anglers should plan to fish very early in the morning. Boat anglers generally do much better. Some of the better lures have included Krocodiles, pink Triple Teasers, and black-yellow Panther Martin spinners.
DUCK FORK RESERVOIR - The reservoir is now accessible. However, the tiger trout are only about 4 inches long, so anglers may want to wait until late summer to fish here. The reservoir has special regulations. Artificial flies and lures only. Closed to the possession of cutthroat trout. Tiger trout limit is 2.
ELECTRIC LAKE - Fishing was good early and late with worms and marshmallows. Good spinners include the Panther Martin, Jake's Spin-a-Lure and Mepps. Todd Munford recommends a nightcrawler-salmon egg combo for best results. He also reports good success by casting gold Panther Martins or yellow-green Tasmanian Devils from shore. Tributaries (inflowing water sources) are closed to fishing until July 10th to protect spawning cutthroats.
FAIRVIEW LAKES have been planted, and the lakes are full; but fishing was slow. Bait anglers have had best success with a straight nightcrawler. Float tubers have done moderately well by slow-trolling a gold Jake's. Fly fishermen might try bright-colored wooly buggers or brown leech patterns.
FERRON RESERVOIR - Fishing was fair to good with traditional baits. At Ferron Reservoir, the trout limit is four, but anglers may take a bonus limit of four brook trout. In other words, an angler can take home eight trout, if at least four of them are brook trout.
GIGLIOTTI POND - The pond is now filling, and should be full by month's end. Stocking of rainbow trout will occur in early July. The DWR and Castle Country Bassmasters plan to introduce bass and bluegill by mid-July. A special Kids' Fishing Event will take place in early September.
GOOSEBERRY RESERVOIR - Last weekend, fishing was good to excellent with almost any kind of bait or lure.
GRASSY LAKE - No recent report. Two weeks ago, fishermen experienced good success with silver Panther Martin spinners and Jake's Spin-a-Lures. Fish averaged 12 inches.
HUNTINGTON CREEK - The creek is running high. Tom Ogden suggests using split shot with a hares ear, Montana, or prince nymph. Biologist Brad Crompton reported good success in the fly-only zone with an Adam's fly pattern. Todd Munford suggests fishing below Electric Lake dam with a #14 Royal Wulff or #18 Griffith's gnat. Todd cautions that trout spook easily on this stretch, so anglers should use 5X tippet or lighter. Below the forks, anglers have had good success with nightcrawlers.
HUNTINGTON RESERVOIR - Insect hatches have impaired fishing success. Best shoreline fishing occurs before 7 a.m. Todd Munford suggests using a straight nightcrawler behind a full bubble. The nightcrawler should be moved every once in a while to entice strikes. Tiger trout are 10-16 inches on the average. Some anglers have had good luck by casting a gold Jake's from shore around the dam. Float tubers and boaters have done well near the dam by vertically jigging a jig tipped with a nightcrawler several inches from the bottom. Tom Ogden recommends using size 10 black leeches or dark green scuds in 12-16 feet of water. The reservoir is closed to the possession of cutthroat trout and trout with cutthroat markings.
JOES VALLEY RESERVOIR - Recent gill-netting indicates that there are some large splake in the reservoir. One fish weighed in at 15 pounds. before it was released. Aquatics Biologist Craig Walker recommends dropping whole dead chubs, up to eight inches long, to the bottom for big splake. Chubs are now spawning in and around the tributaries and can be caught on many types of small lures, flies or baits. The trout limit is two; only one over 22 inches; all trout from 15–22 inches must be immediately released.
LASAL MOUNTAINS - Conservation Officer Trampas Williams reports good fishing at Hidden Lake for anglers with baits or flies. Don's Lake was good for hold-over splake and tiger trout with flies and lures. Ken's Lake is full and fishing was good for rainbow trout. Shore anglers have been using traditional baits, such as PowerBait. Boaters have been trolling Jake's and Rapalas with good success. Fishing for bass was excellent with lures. The roads to Oowah and Warner lakes are open. Fishing at both Oowah and Warner have been excellent, where fish are being caught on salmon eggs, PowerBait, flies and lures. Dark Canyon and Medicine Lake are accessible and should be stocked very soon. Only Blue Lake remains inaccessible. Anglers are reminded that the fish limit at all LaSal Mountain lakes is four trout.
LOWER FISH CREEK - No recent report. Brown leech patterns have been good in the recent past.
MILLER FLAT RESERVOIR - Fair to good fishing continues for both planters and carry-over trout, ranging up to three pounds. Todd Munford recommends red salmon eggs. A variety of baits, flies and lures have been effective.
PETES HOLE - No recent report.
POTTERS PONDS have ranged from poor to good for angler success. Try PowerBait or a fly and bubble.
SCOFIELD RESERVOIR - Sergeant Carl Gramlich reports that shoreline anglers have had limited success, due to a large midge hatch and higher water temperatures. He recommends that shoreline anglers fish very early or late for best success. Boaters have enjoyed good still-fishing with a worm and marshmallow or PowerBait. Anglers trolling with a worm and pop gear have had good success. Also recommended are needlefish, gold Jake's and spoons. Fly fishermen in float tubes have been using renegades, midges, and brown, red or green leech patterns. Tom Ogden suggests using size 10 leeches. He had best success with green leeches in the morning and red in the afternoon. Anglers are reminded that tributaries are closed to fishing until July 10th.
SPINNERS RESERVOIR - There are few, if any, trout left in the reservoir.
STRAIGHT CANYON CREEK - Aquatics Biologist Craig Walker fished Straight Canyon on Sunday. He reported high flows and tough fishing. He caught four brown trout between 12–14 inches, using wooly buggers, stonefly and sculpin imitations.
WILLOW LAKE - Fishing was fair to good with baits.
WRIGLEY SPRINGS RESERVOIR - Fishing was slow over the weekend.
NORTHERN CENTRAL NORTHEASTERN SOUTHEASTERN SOUTHERN LAKE POWELL
LAKE POWELL
By Wayne Gustaveson, www.wayneswords.com
Lake elevation: 3,587 ft., Water temperature: 72–76° F.
Fishing prospects are much brighter as the moon declines. There is a fishing opportunity for everyone right now but first let's move to the right place. Game fish have left the backs of canyons and spawning areas and headed for the main channel. Bass are guarding the deep-water mouths of canyons and coves waiting for a shad swim-by. Stripers are resting in the depths of the main channel where they move up to feed. Walleye are heating up in the lower lake and making their presence felt after a long absence. All of this is happening on the points and walls of the main channel depending on which part of the lake you may be fishing.
Let's start with first light (4–6 a.m. MST) which is the very best fishing of the day. Cast surface lures along the shoreline of prominent points for quick action from bass and stripers. Select prominent points of land extending into the channel. Deep water must be in close proximity. The channel S-curves in Padre Bay, mouth of Last Chance and Rock Creek are ideal. If the wind has blown recently there will be mud trailing from earthen points and murky water floating in nearby coves. These are prime early feeding locations. Expect aggressive hits from adult fish. If action is not immediate move to the next point, wall or cove until fish are found. Do not waste time prime time by sleeping or traveling. Just fish!
After the sun hits the water (6–9 a.m.) move to the shade of tall eastern canyon walls to prolong prime time. If topwater falters start trolling shad imitating deep divers. Troll while graphing for stripers. Weave in and out of murky coves along the deep-water channel edge. If striper schools are marked continue trolling, attack with jigging spoons or cast rattletraps. All techniques work. Use the one that makes you happy. It is more about location than technique.
In the lower lake stripers are found on points and coves. Mid lake stripers have moved onto the cliff walls in the morning shade. Find the dominant habitat type at your location and troll and graph to find fish. Lures bouncing across a reef will catch bonus smallmouth bass, walleye, and catfish while targeting stripers.
Walleye will typically be on sharp breaking, rough rock, points shaded by a mudline. Mudlines are caused by wind blowing across a point and washing clay and soil into the water. Mud floats on the surface shading attack cover and providing a prime location for a game fish ambush. Mudlines are perhaps the prime habitat type to seek this week. Fishing success ebbs mid day and resumes in the afternoon using the same strategy.
If striper boils are for you then search the San Juan early and late. Stripers will boil in many locations but the best surface action is found in the channel a mile downstream from Cha to the upstream end of Neskahi Bay. Stripers are slurping larval shad with only their mouth and head out of the water. Stripers that appear small while feeding turn out to be three-pound fish when hooked. They take full size spooks, rattletraps and spoons even though shad are less than inch. Cast ahead and beyond a feeding cohort and rip the lure through the feeding fish. Lures cast behind a feeding fish will be ignored. They only bite when actively breaking the surface. When the dive, no more fish are caught. Try to set up well in front of an advancing boil and let them feed into casting range. Then hold the cast till they break the surface once more.
If you prefer anchovies then drop a small piece of bait where a school of stripers is graphed. Bait has enticed stripers recently near the mouth of Lone Rock Canyon and on the cliff walls south of Halls Crossing, and under the Hite Dock tied to the breakwater at Bullfrog Marina.
Stripers 12–15 inches long are very common. Expect to find many schools each day. Please keep all the little stripers caught to prolong the life of many shad that would be eaten by the aggressive little fish.
SOUTHERN REGION
Information compiled by Mike Ottenbacher
DWR Southern Region
BAKER RESERVOIR - Reservoir level is dropping. The lake was stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout. Fishing was fair. Try PowerBait™ or worms from shore. Trolling about anything will also work.
BARKER RESERVOIRS, NORTH CREEK LAKES - Barker Reservoir and Lower Barker Reservoir are located at the head of the North Creek drainage northwest of the town of Escalante. The two reservoirs are accessible by road. Eight other smaller reservoirs and ponds are located in the area and are accessible by 1/4 to two mile hikes from the Barkers. The Barkers are now accessible by vehicle and the ice is off the higher lakes in the area. The Barkers have been stocked with catchable rainbow trout and fishing was fair for rainbows and a few brook trout. Try jigs, spinners or bait from shore. Dougherty Basin Lake is closed to fishing until July 11.
BEAVER MOUNTAIN LAKES - Access is possible to all the lakes. Most reservoirs are low. All of the reservoirs that are normally stocked with catchable rainbow trout have been stocked at least once.
BEAVER RIVER - Flows and turbidity may be up on warmer afternoons in the canyon area. Try spinners or nymph patterns. There may be some caddis or mayfly hatches on warmer days. Releases have begun from Minersville Reservoir so flows in the lower river are up. Catchable rainbows have been stocked in the lower river. 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 waters on the Boulder Mountain are now open to fishing except Dougherty Basin Lake. The gates on the road to the top are scheduled to be opened on June 15. A black marabou jig is a standard lure to try. Bait and wooly bugger/leech patterns or scud fly pattens will also work. Special regulations on many of the Boulder Mountain waters include a trout limit of four of which only two may be over 14 inches. There is a bonus limit of an additional four brook trout (total limit of eight trout if at least 4 are brook trout. The bonus limit is intended to reduce numbers of brook trout at waters where they reproduce naturally and may become too numerous to maintain good growth and condition. Check the proclamation to see where the bonus limit applies.
CHALK CREEK - Small stream east of Fillmore. Little fishing pressure. 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.
CLEAR CREEK - Small stream along I-70 by Fremont Indian State Park. The stream is up but was relatively clear. Your ability to fish here will depend on weather and the amount of runoff. Good fishing for browns and rainbows up to 14 inches. The tributaries also contain populations of small, wild trout. Little pressure.
CORN CREEK - Fair fishing for brown trout. Little pressure. Fishing can be a challenge here with thick riparian vegetation.
DUCK CREEK/ASPEN MIRROR - These lakes are now open to fishing and have been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Try PowerBait™ or worms from shore.
EAST FORK OF THE SEVIER RIVER - The river in Black Canyon has dropped and cleared. 8- to 11-inch brown trout are now present in most of the river. Some larger fish are present in the area near Osiris Mill and above. Try caddis or hopper patterns or small spinners. 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 low below Otter Creek Reservoir so the river is high and a little colored through the Kingston Canyon area. This lower section should still be fishable with lures and bait.
ENTERPRISE RESERVOIR (Upper and Lower): Reservoir levels are low and dropping. Catchable size rainbow trout have been stocked in the lower reservoir. Fishing was good with trout taken up to 15 inches. Try PowerBait™ and worms. Some adult smallmouth bass have been transplanted to reestablish the bass fishery. If you catch a bass, please release it so we can get the smallmouth fishery going again. Smaller trout will also be stocked at the upper reservoir this spring if conditions are suitable.
FISH LAKE - Now is a good time to try for splake, rainbows and lake trout. Best fishing is by boat. For splake, try anchoring near the weed line in 20–30 feet of water. Jig with a spoon or plastic jig tipped with sucker or perch meat. You can catch rainbows still-fishing with bait or trolling spinners or pop gear with a worm. Troll deeper for lake trout. Shore fishing is best near Twin Creek using worms or wet flies/streamers, but remember, the stream itself is closed to fishing. Shore anglers can also have success for splake using whole dead minnows or cut bait from shore at night. 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 - Good fishing for some nice splake and tiger trout. Try casting jigs or spinners from shore or trolling. Trolling was best using sivler minnow imitations. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.
FREMONT RIVER - Flows in the section between Johnson Reservoir and Mill Meadow Reservoir are up with some runoff. Brown trout are abundant in the section between Mamoit Springs and Mill Meadow. 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.
GOOSEBERRY AREA - Most of the area is now accessible. Special regulations on U M Creek include artificial flies and lures only and closed to the possession of cutthroat trout.
GUNLOCK RESERVOIR - Bass are in shallow and fishing has improved. Green sunfish, bluegill and crappie are present here, too. Remember special regulations for bass - four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches.
JOHNSON RESERVOIR - 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. Ice out should be one of the best times to pick up a tiger muskie. Try a large spoon or minnow imitation. If you catch one, please contact the nearest DWR office with some details.
KOLOB RESERVOIR - Access is now possible from both the south side from the town of Virgin and from the north via Cedar Canyon. Fishing has slowed somewhat, but anglers are still taking 14- to 18-inch rainbows. Try the rocky points or any place with some gravel, where the larger rainbows are cruising the shoreline. Spinners, jigs or bugger/leech patterns with work. There have been some hatches of midges with trout feeding actively at the surface at times. 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. Kolob Creek above the reservoir is closed until July.
KOOSHAREM RESERVOIR - The reservoir is full. Fair fishing for mainly smaller cutthroat and rainbows with a few nicer fish. Best success by trolling.
LOWER BOWNS RESERVOIR - The lake is now accessible by vehicle. Generally some fast fishing early in the season.
MILL MEADOW RESERVOIR - Good fishing for rainbows. Best success was trolling something silver. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.
MINERSVILLE RESERVOIR - There are fair numbers of 12- to 13-inch rainbows in the reservoir. Try casting wooly buggers, jigs, or spinners near shore. Tremendous midge hatches at times. Special regulations include a trout limit of one fish, which must be over 22 inches; artificial flies and lures only. Scented jigs are not allowed. The park is now administered by Beaver County. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.
MONROE MOUNTAIN LAKES - Annabella, Deep, and Big lakes have been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Try PowerBait™ from shore. Manning Meadow Reservoir and Barney Lake are now accessible by vehicle, but Manning Meadow is closed to fishing until July 11; Barney is open to fishing but the trout limit is 2 and fishing is limited to artificial flies and lures only.
NAVAJO LAKE - The lake is up to the top of the dike. Stocking of catchable rainbow trout has begun. There are also a few brook trout which carried over the winter. Try trolling about anything or PowerBait™ from shore for the rainbows; nightcrawlers or bugger/leech patterns for the brookies.
NEWCASTLE RESERVOIR - Slow fishing for rainbow trout. Water temps are in the sixties and smallmouth are on beds. There are a lot of nice smallmouth bass here but they can be difficult to catch since they don't have to work too hard for food with the abundant golden shiner population.
OTTER CREEK RESERVOIR - Good fishing in the morning and evenings. Mostly fat 12- to 13-inch rainbows, with an occasional larger fish. Also good from shore using PowerBait™ or worm and marshmallow combination. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.
PANGUITCH LAKE - The Cedar Breaks road is now open. Fishing was fair for rainbows, trolling or using bait from shore. Special regulations here 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. Sections of the tributary streams near the lake are closed until July
PARAGONAH (RED CREEK) RESERVOIR - Good fishing for rainbow trout. Try spinners, leech or bugger patterns in the inflow area. Remember that the stream itself is closed to fishing. Most of the fish at Paragonah are the result of spawning and natural recruitment from the section of stream immediately above the lake, so look but don't touch, and stay out of the stream. Good hatches of midges in the eveninings. Try a Griffiths gnat or emerger pattern.
PINE LAKE - The lake is down about four feet. Most of the trout were lost this past winter due to winter kill. The lake was restocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout. Try PowerBait™ or worms from shore. Damsels fly or leech patterns will work for fly fishers.
PINE VALLEY RESERVOIR - Stocking of rainbow trout has begun. Try bait or spinners from shore. There are also some brook trout.
PIUTE RESERVOIR - The reservoir is low. The ramp and docks are nearly out of the water. Launch at your own risk. Slow fishing. Little fishing pressure. Some small trout are present but we need a good water year to produce some fishing here.
QUAIL LAKE - Bass are now in shallow and success has improved. Try plastic baits, crayfish crankbaits or spinner baits. Success has also been reported for both rainbow trout and bluegill. Remember the special regulations for bass — four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches.
REDMOND LAKE - Little pressure. Slow fishing.
REX RESERVOIR - Accessible by truck. Fishing is good. Try worms or PowerBait™ from shore.
SAND COVE RESERVOIRS - Two small reservoirs by the town of Veyo. Catchable-size rainbow trout have been stocked in the upper reservoir. Bluegill were stocked at both reservoirs last year to get populations started. It will likely be a year or so yet before there are many bluegill of any size though. Introductions of largemouth bass are planned for this year.
SAND HOLLOW RESERVOIR - A new reservoir near St. George. The lake is now open to fishing. Public access to the reservoir is available only through the State Park. Surface water temps have been in the 60s. Reports of fair to good fishing for bass up to 14-15 inches as well as bluegill. Try a small plastic bait or spinner bait for bass. Try a small jig or piece of worm below a float near some of the submerged vegetation for bluegill. Special regulations here include a limit of four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches.
SEVIER RIVER, ASAY CREEK, MAMMOTH CREEK - Tributaries and main stream have been clear. 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 much of Mammoth Creek west of Highway 89. Special regulations apply to a section of Mammoth Creek, check the proclamation for details. Try hopper or caddis patterns or small spinners. Whirling disease was documented in the drainage. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.
THOUSAND LAKES MTN - No recent reports.
TROPIC RESERVOIR - Reservoir at the head of the East Fork of the Sevier River, west of Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park. The reservoir is now accessible. It was stocked with catchable rainbow trout. There are also some brown trout. Try some PowerBait™ or spinners from shore.
URBAN PONDS - Good fishing for rainbow trout at the two Tawa ponds along the Snow Canyon Parkway and the Skyline Drive Pond in St. George. 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 St. George ponds were stocked last week for the final time this summer. The Hurricane Pond was stocked with catchable size rainbows and was fair fishing with PowerBait™ or worms. Rainbow trout have also been stocked at the Parowan Pond and Woods Pond west of Cedar City.
WIDE HOLLOW RESERVOIR - Reservoir at Escalante State Park west of the town of Escalante. The reservoir level is dropping. Fishing was good for 10- to 12-inch rainbows using spinners from the bank. Bass and bluegill are now active.
YANKEE MEADOW RESERVOIR - Fair fishing for rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout. Try spinners or bait from shore. The inlet channel is closed to fishing.
Other information: Whirling disease: What anglers should know Handicapped accessible fishing sites Utah streamflow information Fisheries information page Fishing proclamation(s) Fishing tips: Fishing reports for anglers by anglers
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