Utah DWT fishing report by region 12-15

[Fishing Report]

Northern

BEAR LAKE: (December 14) Anglers report fair fishing for cutthroat and lake trout. Call the DWR recorded info line at 435-946-8501 after 6:00 p.m. for updates on launching and fishing conditions.

BIRCH CREEK RESERVOIR: (December 14) Biologist Chris Penne reports safe ice at Birch Creek Reservoir. Fishing is fair for large rainbow trout and tiger trout using tube jigs tipped with wax worms or mealworms.

BLACKSMITH FORK RIVER: (December 14) Recent snowstorms can make access a little more challenging. Use caution when parking along the highway.

BOUNTIFUL LAKE: (December 14) The last stocking was done on October 25, 2011. Use extreme caution when approaching the ice.

CAUSEY RESERVOIR: (December 14) Biologist Craig Schaugaard reports being at Causey on December 8. The reservoir is ice-capped. Two holes were drilled: one approximately four inches and the other about 1.5 inches. The ice is probably thicker now. Use caution. There is currently not a fishing report available.

CUTLER RESERVOIR & MARSH: (December 14) There are many currents that make the ice unsafe at Cutler Marsh throughout winter months. Use extreme caution when approaching the ice.

EAST CANYON RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (December 14) Conservation Officer Jonathan Moser reports open water for most of the reservoir. The south end of the lake has ice too thin to go out on. Boaters were still launching from the state park and trolling on the reservoir. There is no report as to what gear to use.

ECHO RESERVOIR: (December 14) Sergeant Keith Fullenkamp reports Echo Reservoir is 20 percent covered in skim ice. Ice fishing is not yet possible yet. Shore anglers are still trying their luck. There currently is no boating access to the lake.

FARMINGTON POND: (December 14) Farmington City has closed vehicle access to the pond, but walk-in access is still possible. It was last stocked with 1,200 rainbow trout in September.

HOLMES CREEK RESERVOIR: (December 14) The reservoir was last stocked with nearly 1,000 rainbow trout in early October. Use extreme caution when attempting to access the ice.

HYRUM RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (December 14) Park Ranger Steve Bullock reports new ice freezing around the edges, and still some open water. The new ice is preventing boats from getting on the lake. People have not been seen out on the ice, as it is still pretty new. There are lots of rocks on the ice where people have been trying to check. Fishing was reported hot before the ice started to come on.

JENSEN NATURE PARK POND: (December 14) The last stocking was done on October 25, 2011. Use extreme caution when approaching the ice.

KAYSVILLE PONDS: (December 14) The last stocking was done on October 25, 2011. Use extreme caution when approaching the ice.

LITTLE CREEK RESERVOIR: (December 14) The last report was that the ice was safe. Winter fishing should be good as it was stocked with nearly 4,000 rainbow trout (each almost 12 inches long) in October.

LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: (December 14) Conservation Officer Jonathan Moser reports open water for most of the reservoir. The far inlet was iced over, as was the arm east of the boat launch. On Sunday, December 11, one boater was out on the water trying his luck. The shore anglers were trying worms and marshmallows. There was no word on their success.

MANTUA RESERVOIR: (December 14) Biologist Kent Sorenson reports four-plus inches of ice. It's mostly clear, but with snow skiffs covering it in places. The surface is very slick where there's no snow. On the east side, perch are biting on small jigs/waxies. Rainbows are biting similar baits. The perch are a bit bigger than last year, most ranging from 7.5 to 8.5 inches. He was able to land a couple of bluegills in addition to perch and trout.

MIRROR LAKE: (December 14) Winter conditions now exist and anglers should prepare for cold-weather survival when fishing the lakes of the Uintas.

NEWTON RESERVOIR: (December 14) Biologist Clint Brunson reports 5-inch ice off the ramp at Newton. There are no recent reports of fishing success.

OGDEN RIVER: (December 14) The river is flowing low and clear. Some success for rainbows has been reported on the South Fork.

PINEVIEW RESERVOIR: (December 14) Biologist Chris Penne reports Pineview is starting to ice over, but is still unsafe at this time.

PORCUPINE RESERVOIR: (December 14) Road conditions to the reservoir (as of December 11) were icy at the bottom. Access around the reservoir can be icy so use caution. The water is still open with no ice forming yet. Water levels have risen. A few boils were observed in the early evening.

ROCKPORT RESERVOIR: (December 14) Joseph Hamby reports that the fishing continues to be good. The wedge dock is still in the lake though few boaters are using it. Anglers report catching fish on lures and bait. Anglers from the shore report good success on PowerBait and worms. The average size has been 14 to 16 inches, but some as large as 24 inches. The south 1/3 of the late has ice forming, but only about 1/2 inch thick. The mornings have been cold but the sunny afternoons get comfortable and the wind has been calm. Come out and enjoy fishing at Rockport.

WEBER RIVER: (December 14) Biologist Paul Thompson reports that stream flows in the Weber River below Echo Dam continue to remain high for this time of year. Fishing is still good using standard nymphs (hare's ears, pheasant tails, scuds and midges). Stream flows between Echo and Rockport remain constant at just over 200 cfs. This reach has also been fishing well with winter nymph patterns.

WILLARD BAY RESERVOIR: (December 14) Access to the south marina is closed.

[Fishing Report]

ABAJO MOUNTAINS: (December 12) Recapture Reservoir is the only water in San Juan County that is still open, but most of the bays are frozen. Conservation Officer Dennis Shumway reports that there is virtually no ice fishing taking place anywhere.

ACADEMY MILL RESERVOIR: (December 02) Access will be very difficult due to the reservoir's high elevation. New snow may block access entirely.

BENCHES POND: (December 02) The pond has iced over, but there haven't been any recent reports from anglers.

BLUE LAKE: (December 02) Newly fallen snow will make it difficult to access the lake.

BOULGER RESERVOIR: (December 02) The reservoir is covered with ice. There haven't been any recent reports from anglers.

CARBON COUNTY COMMUNITY FISHING POND: (December 12) Ice has formed, but there are no reports on ice thickness.

CLEVELAND RESERVOIR: (December 16) Lieutenant Carl Gramlich reports that on December 12, the reservoir ice was six inches thick. Fishing conditions are slow.

DUCK FORK RESERVOIR: (December 02) Newly fallen snow will make it difficult to access the reservoir.

ELECTRIC LAKE: (December 16) The fishing conditions are good for tiger trout using jigs tipped with chubs, shiners and worms. The ice is reported as ranging from three to six inches thick, depending on the location.

FAIRVIEW LAKES: (December 02) These lakes have iced over. There haven't been any recent reports from anglers.

FERRON RESERVOIR: (December 02) This reservoir was treated to remove all fish. It won't be stocked until next summer.

GIGLIOTTI POND: (December 02) The pond has iced over, but the ice is only about two inches thick. It's not yet safe to walk on.

GOOSEBERRY RESERVOIR: (December 02) Ice covers the reservoir. There haven't been any recent reports from anglers.

GRASSY LAKE: (December 02) You will need chains to drive to this water, and new snow may block access entirely.

HUNTINGTON GAME FARM POND: (December 02) The gate to this community fishery has been closed because of the upland game hunting seasons.

HUNTINGTON NORTH RESERVOIR: (December 16) State Park Manager Dan Richards reports that on December 12, the reservoir ice was two to four inches thick.

HUNTINGTON RESERVOIR: (December 16) Ice fishing has been fair for tiger trout, but there are no reports on the most effective tackle.

JOES VALLEY RESERVOIR: (December 02) A temporary closure to fishing is in place until Dec. 10 at 6 a.m.

MILLER FLAT RESERVOIR: (December 02) Access will be difficult. There haven't been any recent reports from anglers.

MILLSITE RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (December 16) Conservation Officer Ben Stearns reports that on December 12, 20 percent of the reservoir was under ice. Fishing was good in open water and anglers caught trout with PowerBait. The ice conditions change daily, but a recent cold snap should freeze the reservoir any time.

PETES HOLE: (December 02) Chains are required to drive to this reservoir, and newly fallen snow may block access entirely. There haven't been any recent reports from anglers.

POTTERS PONDS: (December 02) Access will be difficult. There haven't been any recent reports from anglers.

SCOFIELD RESERVOIR: (December 16) Ice anglers have been fishing throughout the reservoir, where ice thickness is reported to be about five inches thick. Anglers are catching a mixture of rainbows, cutthroats and tiger trout. Ice flies and jigs tipped with wax worms and worms have worked well. Whatever the situation, exercise extreme caution. A fishing tournament will take place on December 31. Please call the Division of Parks and Recreation at 435-687-2491 for details. The top four winners will receive gift certificates worth several hundred dollars from Sportsmen's Warehouse. Other prizes will be awarded at a drawing at the end of the derby.

SOUP BOWL: (December 02) Access will be very difficult due to recent snowfall. There haven't been any reports from anglers.

WILLOW LAKE: (December 02) The lake has iced over. Access may be very difficult, and chains are recommended.

WRIGLEY SPRINGS RESERVOIR: (December 02) The reservoir has iced over. There haven't been any recent reports from anglers.

[Fishing Report]

BURRASTON PONDS: (December 17) Conservation Officer Jay Topham reports that the water is open, and anglers have found fair fishing. Use traditional baits and lures for trout.

CANYON VIEW PARK POND: (December 17) The pond is closed for the winter.

DEER CREEK RESERVOIR: (December 17) Anglers report fair to good fishing. The reservoir still has open water. Boat anglers report good fishing, and shoreline anglers report fair fishing. We stocked 70,000 trout last month. Flashy spinners and other lures are your best bet. Only primitive campsites are available. The fish-cleaning station is closed, but the boat ramps are still open.

DIAMOND FORK RIVER: (December 17) Anglers report mixed success for brown trout, and there's not much fishing pressure on the river. Small, dark nymphs or dry flies are a good bet. Spinners or worms will also work well.

GRANTSVILLE RESERVOIR: (December 17) There's open water at the reservoir, and you'll find fair fishing with traditional baits and lures.

HIGHLAND GLEN PARK: (December 17) Fishing is slow to fair for trout with traditional baits and lures. There's a two-fish limit at the pond.

JORDANELLE RESERVOIR: (December 17) DWR Aquatics Technician Stuart Bagley reports that the Provo arm on Jordanelle is starting to freeze. Some areas are approximately four inches thick, but please use extreme caution in any attempt to ice fish. Most of the lake is still accessible by boat, and anglers are catching large brown trout on small rainbow-imitating lures.

KIDNEY POND: (December 17) Anglers report slow fishing with traditional baits.

LITTLE DELL RESERVOIR: (December 17) Anglers report fair fishing for cutthroat trout with shiny lures. If fishing is slow, move to a new location. Anglers report that the right color spinner or fly makes a big difference here, so try different types. You may use artificial flies and lures only at this reservoir, and you must immediately release all cutthroat trout.

MANILA CREEK POND: (December 17) You'll find fair fishing with traditional baits and lures.

MIDAS POND: (December 17) Anglers report slow fishing with traditional baits.

MILL HOLLOW RESERVOIR: (December 17) Winter conditions and unstable ice make this an unsafe fishing location.

NINE MILE RESERVOIR: (December 17) You'll find fair fishing for rainbow trout with traditional baits and lures.

PALISADE RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (December 17) You'll find slow to fair fishing for trout with traditional baits and lures.

PAYSON LAKE: (December 17) Conservation Officer Shawn Bagley reports that the gate is closed (at Maple Dell).

PROVO RIVER, LOWER: (December 17) Flashy lures and small flies are both working well. It is important to use smaller flies (about size 20 or smaller). In addition to spinners, blue-winged olives, midges or glo bugs are good patterns. Stretches of this river have special regulations. Please read the Utah Fishing Guidebook.

PROVO RIVER, MIDDLE: (December 17) Fishing is good. Blue-winged olives, glo bugs or midges (pattern size 20 or smaller) can be effective. Bait is allowed from above Charleston Bridge to the Legacy Bridge. Harvest of legal-sized fish is encouraged. Please read the Utah Fishing Guidebook for the special regulations on this river.

SALEM POND: (December 17) Conservation Officer Shawn Bagley reports fair fishing for trout. Most anglers are using PowerBait or worms.

SETTLEMENT CANYON RESERVOIR: (December 17) There's open water, but fishing is slow.

SILVER LAKE: (December 17) Because of winter conditions, it's best not to fish here until summer.

SPANISH OAKS RESERVOIR: (December 17) The reservoir is closed until next spring.

SPRING LAKE: (December 17) Conservation Officer Shawn Bagley reports good trout fishing with traditional baits and lures in the open-water portions of the lake. Catfish success is slow. Stay off the ice.

STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR: (December 17) The road to the marina is very icy and slippery — use four-wheel drive, if possible. Assistant Strawberry Project Leader Justin Robinson reports that when he checked conditions at Strawberry on Monday (Dec. 12), most of the bays had a skim of ice that did not appear safe. He checked ice thickness at the Ladders, and it was less than one inch. He noted that if the cold weather continues and the winds stay calm, the ice should thicken over the next couple of weeks. He urged anglers to always be cautious on the ice. Highway 40 was clear, and the side roads were snow/ice packed and slick, but passable. Many shoreline anglers are still enjoying good fishing with baits and hardware. The ramp at Strawberry Marina was clear and dry, and launching was possible. This is the time of year when things can change from day to day, so be prepared for anything. Access can be limited with snowstorms. There are special regulations in effect at Strawberry: the limit is four trout or kokanee salmon in the aggregate. No more than two may be cutthroat trout under 15 inches, and no more than one may be a cutthroat trout over 22 inches. All cutthroat trout from 15 to 22 inches must be immediately released. Trout and salmon may not be filleted, and the heads or tails may not be removed in the field or in transit. Check the Utah Fishing Guidebook for more regulations. For help differentiating the Bear Lake cutthroat trout from the rainbow trout, visit wildlife.utah.gov/strawberry/pdf/strawberry_brochure.pdf.

THISTLE CREEK: (December 17) Fishing is slow to fair with worms, flies or spinners. The water is low and clear.

TIBBLE FORK RESERVOIR: (December 17) Stay off the thin ice. The road to the reservoir is open, but the gate is locked at the reservoir.

UTAH LAKE: (December 17) Ice conditions are questionable. Some ice anglers have been seen, but many areas are still unsafe. Conservation Officer Chad Betteridge reports that most of the anglers have been hitting American Fork boat harbor. They have caught quite a few white bass. Lindon and the state park have been a little slow. DWR Aquatics Manager Mike Slater reports that in the Lincoln Point area, there was ice in the bay and along the shore. He didn't see much evidence of ice fishing, but it shouldn't be too far away if cold temperatures persist. Fishing can be great on Utah Lake as soon as the ice forms and it's thick enough to be safe.

VERNON RESERVOIR: (December 17) Conservation Officer Troy Hammond reports that the reservoir has open water. You'll find fair fishing with traditional baits and lures. Access can be difficult after a snowstorm.

VIVIAN PARK POND: (December 17) Fishing is slow for trout. Stay off of the ice.

WILLOW POND: (December 17) Conservation Officer Mike Roach reports that Willow Pond and Sandy Pond were both stocked with trout last week. Fishing is good with traditional baits and lures. The ice is not safe!

YUBA RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (December 17) Conservation Officer Jay Topham reports slow fishing and few anglers. For the latest ice conditions, call the state park at 435–758-2611.