Utah DWT fishing report by region 12-2

[Fishing Report]

BURRASTON PONDS: (December 01) There are still a few large brood trout in the pond. Use traditional baits and lures for the best success.

CANYON VIEW PARK POND: (December 01) The gates are locked, and the park is being prepared for the Festival of Lights.

DEER CREEK RESERVOIR: (December 01) Reports vary, depending on where anglers are located. Boat anglers report good fishing, and shoreline anglers report fair fishing. Some of the trout are nearly done spawning and are beautifully colored. The DWR stocked 70,000 trout last month, and anglers have enjoyed catching these fish as well. Flashy spinners and other lures are your best bet. Only primitive campsites are available. The boat ramps are still open, but the fish-cleaning station is closed.

DIAMOND FORK RIVER: (December 01) Anglers report fair to good fishing for brown trout. Try using small, dark nymphs or dry flies. Spinners are also a great choice.

GRANTSVILLE RESERVOIR: (December 01) You'll find fair fishing with traditional baits and lures.

HIGHLAND GLEN PARK: (December 01) There hasn't been much fishing pressure. Anglers report fair fishing for trout with traditional baits and lures. There's a two-fish limit at the pond.

JORDANELLE RESERVOIR: (December 01) The DWR stocked approximately 100,000 rainbow trout last week. Trout fishing is fair from shore with traditional baits and lures. Boat anglers report fair to good fishing. Bass fishing is slow to fair.

KIDNEY POND: (December 01) You'll find slow to fair fishing with traditional baits.

MIDAS POND: (December 01) Anglers report slow to fair fishing with traditional baits.

MILL HOLLOW RESERVOIR: (December 01) Winter conditions and unstable ice make this an unsafe fishing location.

NINE MILE RESERVOIR: (December 01) Anglers report fair to good fishing for chunky rainbow trout with traditional baits and lures.

PALISADE RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (December 01) Trout fishing is slow to fair with traditional baits and lures.

PAYSON LAKE: (December 01) The U.S. Forest Service reports that the gate is closed at Maple Dell.

PROVO RIVER, LOWER: (December 01) The brown trout spawn is tapering off. Trout are still hitting flashy lures and flies quite aggressively. It is important to use smaller flies (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 01) The fishing is good if you find the right small fly. The browns are on the surface in large numbers during the early afternoon hours. Try a small blue-winged olive, glo bug or midge pattern (size 20 or smaller). 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 01) Most anglers report fair trout fishing with PowerBait or worms.

SETTLEMENT CANYON RESERVOIR: (December 01) The few anglers who've visited the reservoir in recent weeks report slow to fair fishing.

SILVER LAKE: (December 01) The lake is getting snowy and icy. It may be unsafe to fish here.

SPANISH OAKS RESERVOIR: (December 01) The reservoir is closed to fishing until next spring because of safety concerns during the winter months.

SPRING LAKE: (December 01) You'll find fair fishing for trout with traditional baits and lures. Fishing is slow for catfish.

STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR: (December 01) Angler Kevin (and many others) report catching and releasing more than 30 trout each trip. Most anglers report fair to good fishing with white tube jigs or pointer minnows cast toward the shoreline or weed beds. Shoreline anglers have found fair to good fishing with traditional baits and lures. Boat ramps might be slippery, and access could be limited by 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 01) Fishing pressure is light, so it's a great time to fish this brown trout stream. You'll find fair fishing for brown trout with worms, flies or spinners. The water is low and clear.

TIBBLE FORK RESERVOIR: (December 01) The road to the reservoir is still open, but the gate is locked at the reservoir. There's not much fishing pressure at the reservoir or on American Fork Creek. Keep your bait above the vegetation on the bottom of the reservoir. Worms or spinners are most popular method on the creek.

UTAH LAKE: (December 01) Anglers report fair fishing for white bass with small, bait-tipped jigs or lures. Move around until you find a school of white bass. Fishing is slow for other species.

VERNON RESERVOIR: (December 01) You'll find fair fishing with traditional baits and lures. Access can be difficult after a snowstorm.

VIVIAN PARK POND: (December 01) There isn't much pressure, and fishing is slow for trout.

WILLOW POND: (December 01) Fishing is good with traditional baits and lures. Anglers are still catching a few larger trout.

YUBA RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (December 01) The state park ranger reports fair fishing and moderately high water levels. Call the state park at 435–758-2611 for information about launching and camping.

[Fishing Report]

ATTENTION: Quagga and zebra mussels are a major threat to Utah waterways. Watch this video to learn more about these destructive mussels and how to decontaminate your boat.





BEAR LAKE: (December 01) Biologist Scott Tolentino reports that the surface water temperature is 42 degrees. The Bonneville whitefish are just beginning their spawning run, and fishing has been fair. It should improve significantly by the upcoming weekend and will likely be good for the next two to three weeks. Anglers are catching a few whitefish right now, using 1/16- to 1/8-ounce jigs along rocky shoreline areas in 10 to 15 feet of water. Try marabou, tube or twister-tail jigs. White and yellow appear to be the most effective colors, but all colors will work. You can also catch whitefish using small spinners (size #0 or #1) and jigging spoons (such as Kastmasters) in one-inch lengths. In order to catch whitefish, make sure your lure is close to the bottom. You can also try tipping your lure with a small piece of worm. Anglers are catching a few lake trout and cutthroat trout while jigging for whitefish.

Trolling anglers are catching lake trout and cutthroat trout just about everywhere on the lake. Popular depths range from 60 to 80 feet, and anglers are even catching some fish with lures trolled on flat lines closer to the surface. Minnow-type lures are working best right now. You can also jig for cutthroat trout and lake trout using tube jigs tipped with cisco in depths from 35 to 80 feet. Try fishing the rockpile area, Second Point, and just off the Utah State Park marina. You can launch a boat at the Utah State Park marina, First Point and the Rainbow Cove ramp. You can also launch boats on the east side at the Idaho State Park east beach as well as Idaho State Park on the north end of the lake. All boat ramps have courtesy docks in place at this time. Avoid launching at Cisco Beach. The concrete portion of the ramp is well underwater, and there is a lot of soft sand and loose rocks that make it easy to get stuck. Remember, if you boat or fish on the Idaho half of the lake you must have an Idaho mussel certification sticker on your boat, or you will be ticketed.

BIRCH CREEK RESERVOIR: (December 01) Biologist Chris Penne reports that ice isn't forming yet.

BLACKSMITH FORK RIVER: (December 01) Anglers report good fishing with egg patterns

BOUNTIFUL LAKE: (December 01) Sheet ice has been forming around other ponds in the area, but for now, the wind will likely keep ice off of the lake. Watch for the ice — it should be here soon!

HOLMES CREEK RESERVOIR: (December 01) The water level is very low, and access is good.

HYRUM RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (November 18) Park Manager Chris Haramoto reports that fishing has been hot, for shore and boat anglers. The reservoir has been heavily stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout.

JENSEN NATURE PARK POND: (November 18) Biologist Wes Pearce reports more brood stock were released into the pond. Fishing should be good.

LITTLE CREEK RESERVOIR: (December 01) Biologist Chris Penne reports that the reservoir has five inches of ice. The edges are soft, and the reservoir is filling up. Please use caution.

MIRROR LAKE: (December 01) Biologist Weston Pearce reports the road is closed at Soapstone. Snowmobiling into the lakes is the only option. The ice is about 12 inches thick. Fishing is very fast, especially if you use anything pink tipped with mealworms or wax worms. PowerBait is also a good option. The edges are a little slushy under the snow, but there's very little snow sitting on the ice.

NEWTON RESERVOIR: (November 18) Anglers reported good success for tiger muskies before the recent storms. Check out Division biologists Phil Tuttle and Paul Thompson in this video about fly fishing for tiger muskie.

OGDEN RIVER: (December 01) Anglers report good fishing with sow bug and egg patterns

PINEVIEW RESERVOIR: (December 01) Biologist Kent Sorenson reports that the water is clear, rising and over 43 degrees. There's a lot of fishing pressure in the narrows, presumably for crappies. The trolling bite for tigers was slow as of Nov. 23. The boat ramp is still open.

PORCUPINE RESERVOIR: (December 01) There's open water — ice hasn't started forming yet.

ROCKPORT RESERVOIR: (December 01) Joseph Hamby reports that Rockport is still ice-free, and the fishing continues to be good. With the exception of a few scattered showers, the weather has been favorable and anglers have enjoyed great success. From shore, PowerBait and worm-and-marshmallow combos have been good. Remember to float the bait just off the bottom. The few boaters have reported doing well with lures and bait at all depths. The wedge dock is still in the lake for launching.

WEBER RIVER: (December 01) Biologist Paul Thompson reports that flow releases from Rockport Dam have been holding steady at 200 cfs. Releases from Echo Dam have increased to more than 300 cfs during the past week. Fishing between Echo and Rockport remains good. Fishing downstream from Echo Dam is fair for brown trout and whitefish, using spinners, crankbaits and small nymphs

WILLARD BAY RESERVOIR: (December 01) Biologist Chris Penne reports that fishing is slow. The south marina ramp is closed, but the north marina will remain open.

[Fishing Report]

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Please e-mail your fishing reports on Northeastern Region waters to RonStewart@utah.gov.

ATTENTION: Quagga and zebra mussels are a major threat to Utah waterways. Watch this video to learn more about these destructive mussels and how to decontaminate your boat.





BIG SANDWASH RESERVOIR: (December 02) The most recent report indicated fair to good fishing for rainbows. Standard trout baits are working well. Small fish- or crayfish-colored lures or brightly colored, flashy lures are also a good bet. Ice is starting to form in the shallows. You can access the reservoir from the boat ramp and from a new public-access point on the northeast corner.

BROUGH RESERVOIR: (December 02) There weren't any reports this week. The last report we received said that fishing has improved, and anglers are enjoying fair to good fishing for larger fish. Ice is forming and melting daily — most of it is gone by midafternoon. Use a strong-enough pole, line and leader to bring the fish in quickly, and then keep the entire fish in the water while removing the hook. Barbless hooks and rubber nets make it much easier to remove flies and lures. Fish that you can land, disengage and release quickly are much more likely to survive. Tired fish and fish exposed to the air may swim away, but they are much more likely to die a few days after release.

BROWNE LAKE: (December 02) Ice now covers the lake. A week ago, there were two to four inches in some spots. It is likely thick enough to hold an individual or two, but not groups of anglers or their vehicles. Check the ice carefully before venturing out. Call the Ashley National Forest at 435–789-1181 for the latest road report.

BULLOCK RESERVOIR: (December 02) Anglers report slow fishing for everything.

CALDER RESERVOIR: (December 02) Ice mostly covers the reservoir, but it's not thick enough to be safe. There are still some pockets of open water, including some reaches of shore. Anglers report fair to good catch rates from shore. Try using large terrestrial flies, minnow/leech imitations or small brightly colored spoons. The reservoir has special catch-and-release regulations. You must use flies and lures only — bait is not allowed. See the Utah Fishing Guidebook for details. To protect the larger fish, proper catch-and-release techniques are critical. Use a strong-enough pole, line and leader to bring the fish in quickly, and then keep the entire fish in the water while removing the hook. Barbless hooks and rubber nets make it much easier to remove flies and lures. Fish that you can land, disengage and release quickly are much more likely to survive. Tired fish and fish exposed to the air may swim away, but they are much more likely to die a few days after release.

COTTONWOOD RESERVOIR: (December 02) Anglers report slow fishing.

CROUSE RESERVOIR: (December 02) Ice recently covered the entire reservoir, but it is likely unsafe. Check the ice very carefully before venturing out.

CURRANT CREEK RESERVOIR: (December 02) Ice is forming, but the reservoir is still mostly open water. The road remains open, and there's an inch or two of snow near the dam. There are still some large areas with enough bank access to fish. Check the ice carefully before venturing out.

EAST PARK RESERVOIR: (December 02) Ice is forming, and lakes at a similar elevation are mostly or completely covered. Check the ice carefully before venturing out.

FLAMING GORGE: (December 02) You'll find good fishing for trout species:

Lake trout: Lake trout fishing has been good, and anglers are finding fish almost everywhere. Even anglers who were shore fishing for rainbows in 15 to 20 feet of water have reported catching lake trout. Schools of smaller trout (also called pups) have been reported down around 60 to 100 feet. If you can find a school, the hits will be fast and light. A good line (fluorocarbon or braid) helps you feel the strike and get a good hook-set when jigging. You can help the Flaming Gorge fishery by harvesting a limit of smaller lake trout. The limit is eight fish, with one over 28 inches.

Kokanee salmon: Water temperatures have cooled, so fish can be anywhere. Although the DWR has stocked millions of kokanee over the last few years, the population remains low due to predation by lake trout and burbot. Anglers need to harvest small lake trout and burbot to reduce their impact on kokanee.

Rainbow trout: Anglers report good to excellent fishing from the shoreline and from boats. A boat is essential to access most of the reservoir; however, there is shore fishing near the visitors' center (by the dam) and by the boat ramps. Fish can be anywhere, including close to shore. Look for schools near cliffs, points and submerged ridges in about 10 to 60 feet of water.

Smallmouth bass: Bass fishing has been slow. An angler reported catching one (70 feet down) while jigging for lake trout, but the action is mostly over until next summer.

Burbot: We've received several reports from anglers who are catching burbot on shore and in boats. Some of the fish weigh more than eight pounds. Try fishing for a few hours, starting around sunset, along the rocky points and cliffs near the main channel. Burbot hit during the day, but they become more active during the twilight hours. Fish the bottom (or just slightly above it) in depths from 10–50 feet. Use just about anything that glows (e.g., spoons, tube jigs, curly-tailed jigs or minnow jigs) and tip your lure with some type of bait. Place your baits close to the bottom and recharge the glow frequently. It is common to catch a fish immediately after re-glowing and dropping a lure. You'll help the Flaming Gorge fishery by harvesting as many burbot as possible. There is no limit on burbot.

GREEN RIVER BELOW FLAMING GORGE DAM: (December 02) Anglers are doing well with large terrestrial imitations (like grasshoppers and black ants) and using a scud, shrimp or imitation-salmon-egg trailer. Often, the fish are attracted to the larger presentation and then hit the smaller one. On windy days, anglers who use lures have been more successful because it's easier to cast. Try Rapalas (floating, countdown and husky jerk); spinners; spoons; black, brown or olive marabou jigs; and plastic jigs.

LONG PARK RESERVOIR: (December 02) There were reports of good shore fishing, but now ice is forming and covering most of the reservoir.

MATT WARNER: (December 02) Ice is forming and now covers more than half of the reservoir. However, there is a big area of open water in the main body of the reservoir, which looks like it is being kept open by the wind. Coots and other waterfowl that use this open area are a food source for bald eagles. There were at least four bald eagles dining on Wednesday. Check the ice carefully before venturing out.

MOOSE POND: (December 02) Ice has closed off most of the pond.

PELICAN LAKE: (December 02) Ice is forming along the edges at night and has now extended out beyond the reeds. Some of it is still melting during the day. Waterfowl and likely some currents have kept a large hole open in the center of the lake, which is common for late fall. Note: The DWR is monitoring this lake for the presence of invasive mussels. Before and after boating, be sure to clean, drain and dry boats, fishing gear, decoys or other equipment exposed to water (like waders, rubber boots and fish finders).

RED FLEET RESERVOIR: (December 02) Anglers report good fishing for rainbows and slow fishing for bass and bluegill. Some anglers who specifically targeted walleye have caught fish; however, most of the walleye catch has been accidental. Red Fleet has no limit on walleye, and all walleye must be killed and removed — you may not catch and release them. Note: Be sure to clean, drain and dry any equipment or gear used in the water to prevent the spread of mussels and other aquatic invaders.

SHEEP CREEK LAKE: (December 02) According to the last report we received, ice was beginning to form. By now, it should cover the lake. However, the exact ice conditions are unknown. Check the ice carefully before venturing out. Also, check with the Forest Service for the most recent reports on road access. If the gates are still open, expect roads to be snow-covered and a bit icy.

SPIRIT LAKE: (December 02) There haven't been any reports on ice conditions, but the lake is likely covered and could be fishable. Check the ice carefully before venturing out.

STARVATION RESERVOIR: (December 02) Anglers report good to excellent fishing for rainbows and fair to good fishing for brown trout, yellow perch and a few walleye. Check out the rocky points, inlets and shallow bays. Try fishing parallel and close to the shoreline. Big fish often cruise the shore looking for minnows and terrestrial insects washed in by the waves.

STEINAKER RESERVOIR: (December 02) Anglers report good fishing for rainbows and bluegill but slow fishing for bass. Rainbows have been active throughout most of the reservoir and are easily caught from shore. They will likely provide a few more weeks of good fishing before the reservoir ices over. Several groups that target bluegill have also reported good results. Bluegill often form large schools this time of year and once the anglers located a big school of fish, they had good fishing. Start at the dam and work your way out from there. One school was near the middle of the reservoir.