Re: June 10 DWR Fishing Report - Pages 11 - 20

["Richard Wood" <rwoodphd at msn dot com>]

I've asked this before and I'll ask it again:

What does fishing have to do with birding?  In Texas we couldn't discuss
hunting on Texbirds; I think the same should be the case here.

Richard

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Hadley" <markhadley@utah.gov>
To: "Mark Hadley" <MARKHADLEY@utah.gov>
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 9:49 AM
Subject: June 10 DWR Fishing Report - Pages 11 - 20


> 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.
>
> ###
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> "Utah Birds" web site: http://www.utahbirds.org
>      BirdTalk:
> To subscribe, e-mail:  birdtalk-subscribe@utahbirds.org
> To unsubscribe, e-mail:  birdtalk-unsubscribe@utahbirds.org
> To send a message, e-mail:  birdtalk@utahbirds.org
> _________________________________________________
>

_______________________________________________

"Utah Birds" web site: http://www.utahbirds.org
     BirdTalk:
To subscribe, e-mail:  birdtalk-subscribe@utahbirds.org
To unsubscribe, e-mail:  birdtalk-unsubscribe@utahbirds.org
To send a message, e-mail:  birdtalk@utahbirds.org
_________________________________________________