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May 27 DWR Fishing Report - Pages 11 - 17
- To: "Mark Hadley" <MARKHADLEY at utah dot gov>
- Subject: May 27 DWR Fishing Report - Pages 11 - 17
- From: "Mark Hadley" <markhadley at utah dot gov>
- Date: Thu, 27 May 2004 09:09:42 -0600
- Reply-to: "Mark Hadley" <markhadley at utah dot gov>
- Sender: owner-birdtalk@utahbirds.org
LAKE POWELL - updated May 25
Wayne Gustaveson, DWR Lake Powell project leader, provides the
following report:
The lake elevation is 3,586 M.S.L. and the water temperature is 65 - 72
F.
Rising water has flooded launch ramps at Bullfrog, Antelope Point and
Wahweap Stateline. Caution is still recommended because water is just
barely deep enough to float boats at Stateline ramp and the end of
Antelope Point Ramp has a severe drop off. Halls, Bullfrog and Main
Wahweap Ramp have excellent launching conditions. Use common sense and
exercise patience and launching access and parking will be a breeze for
the next month.
Windy weather has hampered fishing results for the past week. The
return of stable weather will mark better fishing success. When
environmental conditions conspire to shut off fishing success it seems
that the areas of lighter fishing pressure still produce some good
catches. The San Juan and Good Hope areas may be the best places to try
this week. Do not fish upstream of the mud line. Expect good results
on the clear water side of the slug of runoff water.
Smallmouth bass spawning is complete and fishing has slowed. Bass have
moved off shallow points and rock-strewn humps and dropped over the edge
into deeper water. Locate bass by finding old shallow nest sites and
looking for the nearest rock features in water 15-25 feet deep. Bass
have moved deeper but not far horizontally from the nest site. Bass will
restore body reserves lost to the spawning process by feeding on
sunfish, shad and crayfish. Bass fishing will improve as water
continues to warms, the lake stabilizes and bass become firmly
entrenched in summer patterns. Until then try a split shot rig with a
plastic grub at the 25-foot contour for steady results. Smaller
yearling bass are ever present in shallow rocks next to shore.
Shad will spawn at first light each morning. Predator activity will be
geared to shad spawning and movements. Fish very early for best
results. Afternoon and evening will mark another activity period for
both bass and stripers.
Last week all mature stripers handled had ripe eggs. This week mature
females were spent. Spawning was completed for many stripers in the
lower lake. While more spawning may occur, especially uplake, most
stripers will now move in search of food instead of being governed by
spawning considerations. Schools have been sighted near the dam. These
fish will begin moving back up the main channel and toward the back of
the canyons where shad reside. This will be a good week to try anchovy
bait near the dam and power plant intake.
Stripers were caught in big numbers on jigging spoons just north of
Buoy 99 in the main channel above Bullfrog.
Stripers hit the surface as shad spawn at first light in the morning.
After the initial surface flurry, stripers may be located by trolling
points and coves. Usually bigger fish are on outside main channel
points and small stripers are in the backs of coves near shad. Please
keep all stripers less than 16 inches.
Fishing is unreliable right now as fish move and adjust to changing
conditions. Results range from great success to a long day of enjoying
the scenery. But fishing at Lake Powell is always a delight even when
catching is a bit slow.
SOUTHERN REGION - updated May 20
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.
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 lakes in the area. Try
jigs, spinners or bait from shore. Dougherty Basin Lake is closed to
fishing until July 11.
BEAVER MOUNTAIN LAKES: Access is possible as far as Kents Lake in the
South Fork drainage, and will soon be to Anderson Meadow and Labaron in
not already. 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 by 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 may still limit access to
higher lakes, but snow levels are decreasing rapidly. Ice is gone or is
going off most lakes. 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 I70 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): Reservoir levels are 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: 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: 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 higher elevation
areas, 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 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. 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. One Forest Service campground and the
lodge are open. Stocking of catchable rainbow trout will begin next
week.
NEWCASTLE RESERVOIR: Slow fishing for rainbow trout. Water temps are
in the low sixties and smallmouth 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 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.
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: 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. 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. Woods
Pond west of Cedar City has also been stocked.
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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