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May 18 DWR Fishing Report - Pages 10 - 17

SOUTHERN REGION - updated May 11
   
BAKER RESERVOIR:   Reservoir level is good.  The lake has been stocked
with catchable-sized rainbow trout.  Fishing has been fair.  Try
powerbait or worms from shore.  Trolling about anything will also work.

BEAVER MOUNTAIN LAKES: Access is possible as far as Kents Lake in the
South Fork drainage, but not to Anderson Meadow or Labaron yet. The ice
is off Puffer.  Fishing has been fair at Little Reservoir with a few
nice brown trout taken.  Most of the lakes will be stocked around the
end of the month.   

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. 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. Snow still limits access to
higher lakes, but snow levels are decreasing rapidly.  Ice is gone on
some of the lower lakes but higher lakes still have some ice.  The road
to the top generally remains closed until some time in June.  Ice out is
a popular time to catch some nice brook trout.  A black marabou jig is a
standard lure to try.

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 and has had some turbidity due to runoff.   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.  Fishing
will be slow until normal summer stocking begins later in May.

EAST FORK OF THE SEVIER RIVER:   The river in Black Canyon has been
high and turbid.  Releases from Tropic Reservoir have ended so
conditions could improve depending upon runoff from other tributaries. 
Some trout are present in the area near Osiris Mill and above. There are
few trout in the lower portion.  Improvement in the fishery in the lower
portion will depend on the recovery of the watershed following the
impacts of flooding last year following fires.  For the section of river
from the BLM property boundary (about 4 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 2 trout.  
Releases have begun low below Otter Creek Reservoir so the river is high
and turbid through the Kingston Canyon area.   
 
ENTERPRISE RESERVOIR (Upper and Lower):  The reservoirs are gaining
some water but are still low.  Catchable size rainbow trout have been
stocked in the lower reservoir.  Fishing has been 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:   The ice is gone.  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 ft 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 2 of your 4 trout limit
may be lake trout and only 1 may be a lake trout larger than 20 inches. 

					
FORSYTH  RESERVOIR:   The ice is off. Fair fishing for some nice splake
and tiger trout.  Try casting jigs or spinners from shore or trolling. 
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: Snow still limits access to the Gooseberry lakes,
Seven Mile and U M Creek, but conditions are changing rapidly.  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 - 4 bass under 10 inches and 2 over 20 inches. 

JOHNSON RESERVOIR: Ice is gone.  The lake is accessible from Fish Lake.
 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 UDWR office with some details.

KOLOB RESERVOIR:  Access is possible from the south side, still
inaccessible from the north.  The snow is going fast so access may be
possible soon from the north.  Fishing has slowed somewhat, but anglers
are still taking 14-18 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.  Special regulations
include artificial flies and lures only, with a limit of 1 trout which
must be over 22 inches.  Scented jigs are not allowed.  Kolob Creek
above the reservoir is closed until July. 

KOOSHAREM RESERVOIR: The ice is off.  The reservoir is full.  Slow
fishing for some nice cutthroat and rainbows.  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: Open water.  Some success reported from spinners
cast from shore.  Best success has been trolling. Please prevent the
spread of WHIRLING DISEASE.  DO NOT TRANSPORT any parts of fish caught
here to other waters.

MINERSVILLE RESERVOIR: Open water.  There are fair numbers of 12-13
inch rainbows in the reservoir.  Try casting wooly buggers, jigs, or
spinners near shore. 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.
  
NAVAJO LAKE:   The ice is off.  No fishing reports yet.  The lake will
be stocked with catchable rainbow trout by the end of the month. 

NEWCASTLE RESERVOIR: Open water.  Slow fishing for rainbow trout. 
Water temps are in the low sixties and smallmouth have been staged off
shore in 10-15 ft of water but should be moving on beds soon.  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: Fishing has improved with warmer temps.  Good
for mostly 12 inch rainbows with a few larger fish up to 3 lbs. 
Trolling has been working best.  A worm and marshmallow combination has
been working well for stillfishers or shore anglers.  Please prevent the
spread of WHIRLING DISEASE.  DO NOT TRANSPORT any parts of fish caught
here to other waters.

PANGUITCH LAKE: Fishing has been slow for mainly rainbows. 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.
 
PINE LAKE: The lake is accessible by vehicle.  The ice is off.  The
lake is down about 4 ft.  Most of the trout were lost this past winter
due to winter kill.  The lake will be stocked some time this week with
catchable-sized rainbow trout.  Try power bait or worms from shore.

PINE VALLEY RESERVOIR: The ice is off.  You can try for some of the
brookies that hold over through the winter but normal stocking of
catchable size rainbow trout won't start until later in May.

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:  The lake is low but rising.  Bass are now in shallow and
success has improved.  Try plastic baits, crayfish crankbaits or spinner
baits.  Some success for rainbow trout reported.  Remember the special
regulations for bass - 4 bass under 10 inches and 2 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.  Good
fishing for bass up to 14-15 inches as well as bluegill.   Try a small
plastic bait or spinner bait for bass along the darker lava rock dikes
or shallow bays where the water warms in the afternoons on sunny days. 
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 4 bass under 10 inches and 2 over 20 inches. 

SEVIER RIVER, ASAY CREEK, MAMMOTH CREEK:  Flows and turbidity in the
upper tributaries (Asay Creek and Mammoth Creek) will vary from day to
day as snow melts.  The upper tributaries have been up and colored this
past weekend.  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 nymph patterns or spinners. Whirling
disease has been 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 has been 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 2 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 has been stocked with
catchable size rainbows and has been good fishing with powerbait or
worms.  Rainbow trout have also been stocked at the Parowan Pond. 

WIDE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: Reservoir at Escalante State Park west of the
town of Escalante.  The reservoir is near full and the boat ramp is
usable.  Fishing has been good for 10-12 inch rainbows using spinners
from the bank.  Bass have been moving in shallow on warmer days.

YANKEE MEADOW RESERVOIR: The reservoir is accessible by truck.  The ice
is off.  A popular spot at ice-out for brook trout and rainbow trout. 
There are also good numbers of cutthroat present now.  Try spinners or
bait from shore.  The inlet channel is closed to fishing.

Help Prevent the Spread of Whirling Disease

        Thanks to a number of factors, including preventative efforts
by anglers, Myxobolus cerebralis, the parasite that causes whirling
disease in salmonids (trout, salmon, whitefish, grayling) is found in
relatively few waters in Utah.

        Anglers can help contain the disease by following a few simple
procedures, outlined in the Division of Wildlife Resources Whirling
Disease and Utah Trout: What Utah Anglers Need To Know brochure:

* Don't dispose of fish heads, skeletons or entrails in any body of
water.  Fish parts should be disposed of in the garbage, by deep burying
or by total burning.

* Don't transport live fish between bodies of water.  This practice
could spread disease and is strictly illegal.

* Clean all equipment of mud (boats, trailers, waders, boots, float
tubes and fins) before leaving your fishing water.  Thoroughly dry
equipment in the sun, if possible, before reuse.  If you are traveling
directly to other waters, clean your equipment with a strong solution of
chlorine bleach or use another set of equipment.

* If you observe the symptoms of whirling disease in fish (various
deformities of the head, twisted spines, a black tail or fish swimming
in whirling motions), or if you observe illegal fish stocking, contact
your local DWR conservation officer or call the DWR's poaching hotline
at 1-800-662-3337.

        Anglers are strongly encouraged to follow these procedures when
fishing at the following waters, which staff at the DWR's Fisheries
Experiment Station report have tested positive for the whirling disease
parasite:

*	FREMONT RIVER, SPRING CREEK, UM CREEK
*	MILL MEADOW RESERVOIR
*	FORSYTH RESERVOIR
*	JOHNSON VALLEY RESERVOIR
*	OTTER CREEK
*	OTTER CREEK RESERVOIR
*	MINERSVILLE RESERVOIR
*	BEAVER RIVER (TRIBUTARY TO MINERSVILLE RES.)
*	ROCKPORT RESERVOIR
*	PORCUPINE RESERVOIR
*	LITTLE BEAR RIVER
*	HYRUM RESERVOIR
*	CAUSEY RESERVOIR
*	SOUTH FORK OGDEN RIVER (CAUSEY TO PINEVIEW)
*	BLACKSMITH FORK RIVER (LOWEST PART OF RIVER, AT MOUTH OF
	CANYON BELOW ABANDONED DAM)
*	SPRING CREEK AREA (COLLEGE WARD, CACHE COUNTY)
*	WEBER RIVER
*	LOST CREEK (TRIBUTARY TO WEBER RIVER)
*	EAST CANYON CREEK (TRIBUTARY TO WEBER RIVER)
*	BEAVER CREEK (TRIBUTARY TO WEBER RIVER, NEAR KAMAS)

        For a free copy of Whirling Disease and Utah Trout: What Utah
Anglers Need To Know, call the DWR's Aquatic Education section at
(801) 538-4769 or visit the nearest DWR regional office, DWR fish
hatchery or USDA Forest Service office.

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