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June 10 DWR Fishing Report - Pages 11 - 20
- To: "Mark Hadley" <MARKHADLEY at utah dot gov>
- Subject: June 10 DWR Fishing Report - Pages 11 - 20
- From: "Mark Hadley" <markhadley at utah dot gov>
- Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 09:49:12 -0600
- Reply-to: "Mark Hadley" <markhadley at utah dot gov>
- Sender: owner-birdtalk@utahbirds.org
LAKE POWELL - updated June 9
Wayne Gustaveson, DWR Lake Powell project leader, provides the
following report:
The lake elevation is 3,587 M.S.L. and the water temperature is 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.), 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 3-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 - updated June 7
BAKER RESERVOIR: Reservoir level is dropping. 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.
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 2 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
has been 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 4 of which only 2 may be over
14 inches. There is a bonus limit of an additional 4 brook trout (total
limit of 8 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 has been 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. 8-11 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 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 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 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: 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: Good fishing for some nice splake and tiger
trout. Try casting jigs or spinners from shore or trolling. Trolling
has been best using silver 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 - 4 bass under 10 inches and 2 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 UDWR 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 14-18 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 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 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 has
been 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 12-13 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 12-13 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 has been
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 evenings. Try a
Griffiths gnat or emerger pattern.
PINE LAKE: The lake is down about 4 ft. Most of the trout were lost
this past winter due to winter kill. The lake has been restocked with
catchable-sized rainbow trout. Try power bait 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 - 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.
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 4
bass under 10 inches and 2 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 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 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 has been
good for 10-12 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.
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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