Utah DWT fishing report by region 12-9

[Fishing Report]

southern

BAKER RESERVOIR: (December 08) No recent reports, but fishing should be fair to good. Winter is a good time to target browns with minnow-imitating lures and flies.

BARKER RESERVOIRS (NORTH CREEK LAKES): (December 08) Most lakes on Boulder Mountain are closed to fishing until April 2012. The Barker and Lower Barker reservoirs are open year round. The lakes should have safe ice, but access is difficult due to snow.

BEAVER MOUNTAIN LAKES: (December 08) Access is restricted by snow. All lakes should have safe ice.

BEAVER RIVER, LOWER: (December 08) Ice is making fishing difficult.

BEAVER RIVER, UPPER: (December 08) Anchor ice is making fishing difficult.

BOULDER MOUNTAIN: (December 08) Most lakes on Boulder Mountain are now closed to fishing until April 2012. Check the current Utah Fishing Guidebook to see which lakes are open year round. All lakes now have safe ice, but access is limited to snowmobile.

CLEAR CREEK: (December 08) Summer storms caused major flooding in Clear Creek and its tributaries. Trout appear to be absent from most of the drainage.

CORN CREEK: (December 08) Winter fishing is difficult due to ice and snow.

DUCK CREEK POND / ASPEN MIRROR LAKE: (December 08) There is little fishing pressure.

EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER IN KINGSTON CANYON: (December 08) The river is starting to ice over, making fishing difficult.

EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER, BLACK CANYON: (December 08) The spring inflow keeps Black Canyon mostly ice-free in the winter.

EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER, UPPER: (December 08) There is not much winter fishing pressure due to poor access.

ENTERPRISE RESERVOIR, UPPER: (December 08) There are no recent reports. The ice should be safe soon, but road conditions are unknown.

FISH LAKE: (December 08) Boat ramps are closed. Safe ice normally appears close to the beginning of January but if very cold temperatures continue, there may be some by the end of December. Contact the Fish Lake Lodge at 435-638-1000 for current road and ice conditions.

FORSYTH RESERVOIR: (December 08) The lake is ice-capped and should have safe ice by the weekend. The best ice fishing of the year normally occurs just after the ice comes on. When targeting tigers and splake through the ice, tip jigs with cut bait (sucker or chubs meat) or pieces of minnows. Perch fishing could be fair to good this year. Remember that perch are not legal to use as bait at Forsyth.

FREMONT RIVER: (December 08) The road above Mill Meadow Reservoir is not plowed during the winter.

GUNLOCK RESERVOIR: (December 08) The boat ramp is closed until March. Visit www.stateparks.utah.gov for the current boat ramp schedule.

GUNNISON BEND RESERVOIR: (December 08) There are no recent reports.

IRON COUNTY COMMUNITY FISHERIES: (December 08) Leigh Hill Reservoir is now closed for the winter.

JOHNSON RESERVOIR: (December 08) There are few winter fishing opportunities due to poor access.

KOLOB RESERVOIR: (December 08) Kolob is closed to bait fishing until May 2012. Access is now restricted to snowmobile. There is generally very little ice fishing pressure due to poor access. The trout limit is two and all trout between 15 and 22 inches must be immediately released.

KOOSHAREM RESERVOIR: (December 08) The reservoir should have safe ice. There are no recent reports on fishing.

LOWER BOWNS RESERVOIR: (December 08) There is not much winter fishing pressure due to poor access.

MAMMOTH CREEK: (December 08) There are no recent reports.

MILL MEADOW RESERVOIR: (December 08) The reservoir should have safe ice by the weekend. The best ice fishing of the year normally occurs just after the ice comes on. The reservoir was not drained as planned this year, so ice fishing will again be good.

MINERSVILLE RESERVOIR: (December 08) Based on recent cold temperatures, the lake should be icing over soon. Safe ice is likely a week or two away.

MONROE MOUNTAIN LAKES: (December 08) There is not much winter fishing pressure due to poor access.

NAVAJO LAKE: (December 08) Highway 14 in Cedar Canyon has been closed due to a landslide. The highway will be plowed from US 89 to the Navajo Lake turnoff, but access beyond there is limited to snowmobile. The lake is iced over and should be safe to walk on. There is little fishing pressure in the winter due to poor access, but fishing for splake should be good if you can get there.

NEWCASTLE RESERVOIR: (December 08) Based on recent cold temperatures, the lake should be icing over soon. Safe ice is likely a week or two away.

OTTER CREEK RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (December 08) The lake is iced over, but the ice is still less than one inch thick. Look for safe ice in one to two weeks.

PANGUITCH LAKE: (December 08) There are conflicting reports on ice cover and thickness, but there should be safe ice in the next week or so. Remember that all cutthroat and tigers between 15 and 22 inches must be released.

PARAGONAH RESERVOIR: (December 08) The reservoir may have safe ice, but access is difficult.

PINE LAKE: (December 08) The lake may have safe ice, but access is difficult.

PIUTE RESERVOIR: (December 08) There are no recent reports, but the lake conditions should be similar to Otter Creek.

QUAIL LAKE: (December 08) Visit www.stateparks.utah.gov for the current boat ramp schedule. Rainbow trout have been stocked and should provide fair to good fishing.

SAND HOLLOW RESERVOIR: (December 08) Bass activity slows down during winter and fishing techniques must adjust. The primary key to cold water bass fishing is slowing down the presentation, even employing dead-sticking. Plastics like senkos, swimbaits, hula grubs, and drop-shots are all effective with the right presentation. A drop-shot rig is one of the more popular cold-weather techniques due to its natural slow presentation. Concentrate on deeper water at 20 to 30 feet. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits can also be effective during the warmest part of the day. Quagga mussels are present, so plan extra time to have your boat washed before leaving.

SEVIER RIVER IN MARYSVALE CANYON: (December 08) Water is being released from Piute. The high flows are making fishing difficult.

THOUSAND LAKE MOUNTAIN: (December 08) All lakes should have safe ice. Solomon Basin is accessible from I-70 in Emery County. The snow makes accessing most lakes difficult.

TROPIC RESERVOIR: (December 08) There is not much winter fishing pressure due to poor access.

WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMUNITY FISHERIES: (December 08) All ponds were stocked again this week, except Skyline which was partially drained for maintenance. It is not anticipated that many fish were lost during the work and the pond has already started refilling. Check out a new pond at the Sullivan Virgin River Park on 300 East in Washington.

WIDE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: (December 08) There are recent reports of thin ice.

YANKEE MEADOW RESERVOIR: (December 08) The reservoir may have safe ice, but access is difficult.

[Fishing Report]

BIG SANDWASH RESERVOIR: (December 06) 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 working well for trout. Ice is starting to form in the shallows. Most likely, it will be frozen soon as the temperatures have now been below zero. You can access the reservoir from the boat ramp and from a new public-access point on the northeast corner.

BROUGH RESERVOIR: (December 06) Fishing has been fair to good for rainbows and browns. Ice is forming in the shallow areas in the northwest corner, but is melting daily in the deeper areas— most of it is gone by mid-afternoon. 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 those exposed to the air may swim away, but they are much more likely to die a few days after release.

BROWNE LAKE: (December 06) Ice now covers the lake. It is likely thick enough to hold an individual or two, but not groups of anglers until ice thickness is determined. It is always a good idea to check it carefully before venturing out. The Ashley National Forest has closed the roads at the lower gates and the region has received snow during the last few storms—therefore, access is now by skis and snowmobiles only. Call the Ashley National Forest at 435-789-1181 for the latest road updates.

BULLOCK RESERVOIR: (December 06) Anglers report slow fishing for everything.

CALDER RESERVOIR: (December 06) Ice covers the reservoir but no report yet on the thickness. It is likely the ice will hold individuals but not thick enough for vehicles or large, clustered groups of anglers. 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.

COTTONWOOD RESERVOIR: (December 06) Anglers report slow fishing.

CROUSE RESERVOIR: (December 06) Ice has recently covered the entire reservoir, but no report on its thickness. It is likely thick enough for individuals, but not for large groups or vehicles. Check the ice carefully before venturing out.

CURRANT CREEK RESERVOIR: (December 06) Ice is forming, but the reservoir is still mostly open water. The southern road remains open with an inch or two of snow near the dam. As of last weekend, there are still some large areas with enough bank access to fish. Check the ice carefully before venturing out.

EAST PARK RESERVOIR: (December 06) Ice covers the reservoir. Lakes at a similar elevation are fishable. There have been no reports on ice conditions. Check the ice carefully before venturing out.

FLAMING GORGE: (December 06) Ice is forming in the northern arms but no reports on its safety. You will find good open-water fishing for the trout species from both shore and boats.

Lake trout: Lake trout fishing has been good, and anglers are finding fish almost everywhere. Anglers fishing the shore 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 catching burbot on shore and in boats. Some of these 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 to 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. The Burbot Bash Fishing Derby has been scheduled for January 25–28.

GREEN RIVER BELOW FLAMING GORGE DAM: (December 06) 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 06) Ice covers the reservoir, but no reports on its thickness. It is likely the ice is thick enough to hold an individual or two, but not safe enough for vehicles or large, clustered groups. Check the ice carefully before venturing out. Roads are closed at the gates and the area has received snow during the last few storms—therefore, access is now by skies and snowmobile.

MATT WARNER: (December 06) Ice covers most (likely all) of the reservoir. The big reach of open water in the main area of the reservoir, which was being kept open by the wind and waterfowl, is likely frozen as the temperatures have been near or below zero for the last few nights. No reports on ice thickness or condition. Check the ice carefully before venturing out.

MOOSE POND: (December 06) Ice covers the pond. Ice anglers have done well using a small jig or an ice fly tipped with a meal or wax worm.

PELICAN LAKE: (December 06) As of Sunday afternoon, the ice forming along the edges at night has now extended well out beyond the reeds. The deep water is still being kept open by waterfowl and likely some currents, which is common for late fall. The last few nights have been near or below zero so it is likely some of the ice near the shore may be fishable. Check ice carefully before venturing out, especially beyond the reeds. 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 06) Anglers reported 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 06) Ice covers the lake, but its conditions are unknown. Check the ice carefully before venturing out. Check with the Forest Service for the most recent reports on road access. The gates are closed and the roads are snow-covered and icy—therefore, access is now by skies and snowmobile.

SPIRIT LAKE: (December 06) Fishable ice covers the lake. It should be fair to good fishing. The roads are closed so access is now by skies and snowmobile. Check the ice carefully before venturing out.

STARVATION RESERVOIR: (December 06) Anglers report good to excellent fishing for rainbows and fair to good for brown trout, yellow perch and a few walleye. Check out the rocky points, inlets and shallow bays. Anglers have been doing well from the banks as well as by boat. 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 06) Anglers report good fishing for rainbows and bluegill but slow for bass. Rainbows have been active throughout most of the reservoir and are easily caught from shore. They will likely provide a week or two more of good fishing before the reservoir ices over. Several groups targeting 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 in roughly 30 feet of water and work your way out from there. One school was near the middle of the reservoir.

[Fishing Report]

BURRASTON PONDS: (December 09) There is light fishing pressure but anglers are still picking up a few trout. Use traditional baits and lures for catching trout.

CANYON VIEW PARK POND: (December 09) There are not many fish and the water may be iced over.

DEER CREEK RESERVOIR: (December 09) Reports vary from fair to good. There is still some open water on the reservoir. Boat anglers report good fishing and shoreline anglers report fair fishing. The DWR stocked 70,000 trout last month and anglers have had fair success on 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 09) Anglers report slow to fair to good fishing for brown trout. Try using small, dark nymphs or dry flies. Spinners or worms are also good choices.

GRANTSVILLE RESERVOIR: (December 09) Officer Troy Hammond reports open water and fair success at the reservoir. Use traditional baits and lures.

HIGHLAND GLEN PARK: (December 09) There has been light pressure and fair success for trout by using traditional baits and lures. There is a two-fish limit at the pond.

JORDANELLE RESERVOIR: (December 09) State Park employee Natalie reports unsafe ice at the Rock cliff area. It is not possible to launch a boat on this end of the reservoir. Open water and boats can be launched on the Hailstone side. Fishing has been reported as slow.

KIDNEY POND: (December 09) You'll find slow fishing with traditional baits.

LITTLE DELL RESERVOIR: (December 09) Anglers are reporting fair success for cutthroat trout by using 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. Use only artificial flies and lures at this reservoir. All cutthroat trout must be immediately released.

MANILA CREEK POND: (December 09) Anglers report fair fishing success. Traditional baits and lures are your best bet.

MIDAS POND: (December 09) Anglers report slow fishing with traditional baits.

MILL HOLLOW RESERVOIR: (December 09) Winter conditions and unstable ice make this an unsafe fishing location.

NINE MILE RESERVOIR: (December 09) Anglers report fair to good fishing for rainbow trout with traditional baits and lures.

PALISADE RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (December 09) Traditional baits and lures are providing slow to fair success for trout.

PAYSON LAKE: (December 09) USFS reports the gate is closed at Maple Dell.

PROVO RIVER, LOWER: (December 09) 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 09) 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 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 09) Most anglers report fair trout fishing with PowerBait or worms.

SETTLEMENT CANYON RESERVOIR: (December 09) The reservoir is open water. The few anglers who have visited the reservoir in recent weeks report slow fishing.

SILVER LAKE: (December 09) The lake is getting snowy and icy. It may be unsafe to fish here.

SPANISH OAKS RESERVOIR: (December 09) The reservoir is closed to fishing until next spring.

SPRING LAKE: (December 09) You'll find slow to fair trout fishing with traditional baits and lures. Fishing is slow for catfish.

STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR: (December 09) Strawberry Marina employee Reed states that the ramps are ice-covered and it may be unwise to launch boats. Float tubers and shore anglers report fair to very good success, depending on the day, location and technique. Most anglers report fair to good success using white tube jigs or pointer minnows cast toward shoreline or weed beds. Shoreline anglers are having fair to good success using traditional baits and lures. 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 09) Brown trout fishing is reported as slow to fair this week using worms, flies or spinners. The water is low and clear.

TIBBLE FORK RESERVOIR: (December 09) Stay off the thin ice. There is still open water as well. The road to the reservoir is open, but the gate is locked at the reservoir. There is light fishing pressure reported at the reservoir and on American Fork Creek. Keep your bait above the vegetation on the bottom of the reservoir. Worms and spinners are the most popular methods on the creek.

UTAH LAKE: (December 09) A thin layer of unsafe ice covers much of the lake. Stay off the ice.

VERNON RESERVOIR: (December 09) Conservation Officer Troy Hammond reports open water and fair fishing using traditional baits and lures. Access can be difficult after a snowstorm.

VIVIAN PARK POND: (December 09) There is light pressure, and slow fishing for trout.

WILLOW POND: (December 09) Conservation Officer Mike Roach reports Willow Pond and Sandy Pond were both stocked with trout this week. Fishing is considered good using traditional baits and lures.

YUBA RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (December 09) 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.





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[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.





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 2) Access will be very difficult due to the reservoir's high elevation. New snow may block access entirely.

BENCHES POND: (December 2) The pond has iced over, but there haven't been any recent reports from anglers.

BLUE LAKE: (December 2) Newly fallen snow will make it difficult to access the lake.

BOULGER RESERVOIR: (December 2) 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 2) The reservoir is frozen, but the ice is still too thin for ice fishing.

DUCK FORK RESERVOIR: (December 2) Newly fallen snow will make it difficult to access the reservoir.

ELECTRIC LAKE: (December 12) The north and south ends have frozen, but all other parts of the lake remain open.

FAIRVIEW LAKES: (December 2) These lakes have iced over. There haven't been any recent reports from anglers.

FERRON RESERVOIR: (December 2) This reservoir was treated to remove all fish. It won't be stocked until next summer.

GIGLIOTTI POND: (December 2) 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 2) Ice covers the reservoir. There haven't been any recent reports from anglers.

GRASSY LAKE: (December 2) You will need chains to drive to this water, and new snow may block access entirely.

HUNTINGTON GAME FARM POND: (December 2) The gate to this community fishery has been closed because of the upland game hunting seasons.

HUNTINGTON NORTH RESERVOIR: (December 12) State Park Manager Dan Richards says that ice hasn't formed yet.

HUNTINGTON RESERVOIR: (December 12) Conservation officer Devin Christensen has seen evidence of ice angling, but there are no reports on ice thickness or fishing success.

JOES VALLEY RESERVOIR: (December 2) A temporary closure to fishing is in place until Dec. 10 at 6 a.m.

MILLER FLAT RESERVOIR: (December 2) Access will be difficult. There haven't been any recent reports from anglers.

MILLSITE RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (December 12) Tom Ogden and Perry Bunderson fished from float tubes on Dec. 8 and caught 42 fish in five hours. Most of the fish were rainbow trout with some cutthroat and splake. Fish ranged in size from 11 to 17 inches long. They used fast sinking line and sizes 6–8 leech, wooly bugger and soft hackle patterns in red, green and black. Ice is beginning to form.

PETES HOLE: (December 2) 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 2) Access will be difficult. There haven't been any recent reports from anglers.

SCOFIELD RESERVOIR: (December 12) Ice anglers have ventured out to fish in the dam cove, where the ice is reported to be 4 to six inches thick. Anglers have reported that the ice elsewhere on the reservoir is only two inches thick. Please exercise extreme caution. Ice anglers should be very cautious. Make sure you 1) Drill test holes near the shore, 2) Fish with a buddy, 3) Walk single file with a space between each angler, 4) Carry rescue rope and a floatation device, and 5) Carry a pair of personal ice picks that you can easily reach in an emergency.

SOUP BOWL: (December 2) Access will be very difficult due to recent snowfall. There haven't been any reports from anglers.

WILLOW LAKE: (December 2) The lake has iced over. Access may be very difficult, and chains are recommended.

WRIGLEY SPRINGS RESERVOIR: (December 2) The reservoir has iced over. There haven't been any recent reports from anglers.