Weekly Statewide Fishing Report

Our weekly rundown of fishing conditions at various locations in Utah

 

NORTHERN REGION

Information compiled by Phil Douglass
Northern Region Conservation Outreach Manager

Updated November 29

BEAR LAKE - (Nov. 24) The surface water temperature is 44° F. The Bonneville whitefish are just beginning their spawning run, and a few fish are being taken along the Cisco Beach area. With the low water conditions, the fishing from shore should be as good, or possibly even better, than fishing from boats since there are only a few feet of rocks that are in the water before the bottom drops off into very deep water. Whitefish are likely to be close to shore spawning along the rocks in water 3–15 feet deep. Pound for pound, Bonneville whitefish fight better than trout and they taste excellent when taken from the cold waters of Bear Lake. The Bonneville whitefish also lack the strong intramuscular bones that are present in the mountain whitefish typically found in rivers, which make them easier to fillet and eat. Good lures to use for whitefish are small jigs (1/16- or 1/8-oz.) fished close to the bottom. Small vertical jigging spoons, such as kastmasters and Swedish pimples are also effective. Finally, small spoons or #1 or #0 spinners work well. Make sure to fish the lures as close to the bottom as possible. Some anglers like to tip their spinners, spoons and jigs with a small piece of nightcrawler. Since the run is just beginning, the fishing should continue to improve through the first couple of weeks of December and peak around Dec 10, or so.

Fishing for cutthroat and lake trout has been fair. Most anglers are jigging in 30–60 feet of water using tube jigs tipped with cisco meat. Good spots to try at this time of year include the rockpile, Cisco Beach and First and Second Points. Keep moving until you find some active fish. A good sonar unit can make a big difference in helping you to locate fish.

The Bear Lake State Park has installed deicers in the marina to keep this ramp accessible for as long as possible. The depth of the marina is approximately three to five feet. Anglers can now launch small boats from the concrete boat ramp at Cisco Beach. The ramp was extended last week and is now in the water. You may also launch small boats from the sandy beach around many parts of the Bear Lake shoreline, but anglers should do so at their own risk since there are many areas with deep, soft sand on the lakeshore.

BOUNTIFUL POND - Fishing success is fair. Bag and possession is a total of four fish.

CLINTON CITY PARK POND - Fishing success is fair. Bag and possession is a total of four fish.

ECHO RESERVOIR - The boat ramp is closed for the winter season.

FARMINGTON POND - Fishing success is slow to fair. Bag and possession is a total of four fish.

KAYSVILLE PONDS - Fishing success is fair. Bag and possession is a total of four fish.

MABEY (CLEARFIELD CITY) POND - Fishing success is fair for catfish.

OGDEN RIVER - The South Fork of the Ogden River is still fair fishing for spawning brown trout. The stream flow is perfect for late fall fishing. Brown trout are concentrated in riffles and runs and will agressively pursue bright fly patterns (eggs), large nymphs (green leaches), and streamers (wooly buggers, double bunnies, and muddlers). Bright colors, flashy spinners, spoons, and small floating rapalas would also work very well. Whitefish and other species of trout are congregating in deep runs and pools where they can be enticed with small spinning tackle or small nymphs suspended below a strike indicator.

ROCKPORT RESERVOIR - Fishing success for rainbow trout was good. Boat anglers are trolling popgear with worms or casting spinners. Anglers from shore have been using bait. Worms, PowerBait, and cheese are working well. Casting or trolling rapalas, large spinners, and spoons may target brown trout near the inlet areas.

CENTRAL REGION

Information compiled by Scott Root
Central Region Conservation Outreach Manager

Updated November 23

STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR - (Nov 23) Just a skiff of ice along the shoreline in some of the bays today — which usually melts or gets blown off daily. Anglers report trolling pearl-colored tube jigs or curly tail jigs tipped with a worm have work well. Fish have been in relatively shallow water. Trolling (dead) minnows has produced results as well — a large treble hook (size 2–4) with one hook through the head and a couple half hitches around the tail (so that the fish is trolled backward) has worked. A couple of blades in front of the minnow really helps as well. Fish are starting to bite a little more softly. No snow in the valley around the reservoir today. Regulations for the reservoir include an aggregate limit of four trout or kokanee salmon. No more than two of which may be cutthroat trout under 15 inches, and no more than one may be a cutthroat over 22 inches long. Release all cutthroat between 15 and 22 inches (consider any trout with cutthroat markings to be a cutthroat). Don't feel compelled to harvest fish on every trip. Please do your part to ensure the future of this heavily utilized fishery by voluntarily releasing fish!

JORDANELLE RESERVOIR - ( Nov. 23) Boat anglers report decent fishing — especially, by trolling a minnow imitating lure such as a rapala. One angler reports catching several rainbows and a couple of nice browns in about a five-hour period. Still no snow up at the reservoir, yet! Snow line was higher up on the mountain. Good fishing conditions reported for trout, especially for browns staging near the inlets. Perch and bass fishing success has tapered off just a bit. Anticipate paying a fee to use State Park facilities (up to $9.00 for day use). Perch limit was raised to 50 fish this year. Bass limit is six, but release all bass over 12 inches long. Do your part to 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.

PROVO RIVER (above Olmstead Diversion Dam) - (Nov 23) This is truly the best time of year to catch aggressive brown trout. Most anglers report good success. Standard Provo River nymphs (size 18 and smaller) such as pheasant tails, gold-ribbed hares ear and other small nymphs will work best on the "artificial fly & lure only" stretches. Try using a #22 blue-winged olive if fishing the surface. Brassies and glo bugs may work as well. Success will continue as November's spawn approaches and the browns get very aggressive. Special regulations apply to much of this river. Please read the proclamation for details. Between Charleston Bridge and the Legacy Bridge (near Midway) the use of bait is allowed and a standard limit of four trout (any trout species and any size). Do your part to 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.

PROVO RIVER (below Olmstead) - (Nov 23) Fishing success is good when using standard Provo River flies size 18–22, spinners (especially copper-colored) or with worms. Light fishing pressure. Browns are spawning so please stay out of the spawning beds.

DEER CREEK RESERVOIR - (Nov 23) Water is rising. Both ramps are open but docks have been pulled. $5.00 day use fee or $9.00 primitive camping fee (campground facilities closed for season). Good success from boats for trout using mainly pop gear or rapalas. Shoreline anglers report fair success for fat rainbows by using traditional baits (most are using PowerBait). Trout limit is four (statewide). Walleye limit is six, but only one can be over 20 inches. Bass limit is six, but immediatley release all bass over 12 inches long. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

UTAH LAKE - (Nov 23) Still seeing several people fishing every day along the jetty and shoreline. Some crappie, white bass and walleye are being caught at a "spotty to fair" success rate. Boat ramps are closed due to low water, so launch at your own risk. Lake levels are only about three to four feet deep and the harbor is about two or three feet deep but slowly rising. A lot of the favorite fishing spots that provided cover for the fish are out of the water, so look for other structures in the lake. Boaters have been getting stuck out in the reservoir — a huge headache! There is no limit on white bass. Largemouth and smallmouth bass limit is six, but all largemouth and smallmouth bass over 12 inches must be immediately released. For more information on conditions call Utah Lake State Park at (801) 375-0731.

YUBA RESERVOIR - (Nov 23) Some dandy trout are being caught from shoreline and boat. Baits and even lures have produced some fat 19" trout. Both boat ramps are now closed for the season due to low water (average about 8–10 feet deep), so use at your own risk. Fishing pressure is light, and fishing success has actually been reported as fair to good for larger rainbow trout. Anglers must release perch. For more info call the State Park at (435) 758-2611.

BURRASTON PONDS - (Nov 23) No report this week. Expect slow to fair fishing success by using traditional baits. Please take garbage bags and help clean up the area.

HOBBLE CREEK & DIAMOND FORK RIVERS - (Nov 23) Please be careful of the spawning beds in the river (clean-looking gravel/cleared away areas in the river) — several are visible. Various small nymph patterns like a pheasant tail are working on Diamond Fork. Spinners can be effective at times as well. Hobble Creek's water level is low this time of year and many of the deeper holes are on privately owned property. Bait is allowed on most of Diamond Fork and all of Hobble Creek. Diamond Fork, from Springville Crossing to it headwaters, is "artificial flies and lures only," and it is closed to the possession of cutthroat trout.

SPRING LAKE & SALEM POND - (Nov 23) Slow to fair fishing success at both waters when using traditional baits. Remember that regulations on both waters include a limit of four fish. Daily bag and possession limit is an aggregate total of four fish for all species; for example, one trout, two channel catfish and one bluegill. Bass, bluegill and channel catfish are also in these waters.

CANYON VIEW POND & SPANISH OAKS POND - Nov 23) - Few anglers. Slow fishing success using standard fishing baits.

PAYSON LAKES - (Nov 23) Gates to the canyon are locked for the season.

WILLOW POND - Murray) - (Nov 23) Several anglers still seen on a daily basis. Success was reported as slow to fair. Try standard fishing techniques and baits.

TIBBLE FORK RESERVOIR - (Nov 23) Anglers report fair to good fishing success using standard baits & lures.

MILL HOLLOW RES. (Nov 23) No report this week but anticipate it being iced over with an unsafe layer of ice.

VERNON, GRANTSVILLE AND SETTLEMENT CANYON RESERVOIRS - (Nov 23) Grantsville anglers have been reporting fair and at times good success from shoreline by using traditional baits. Vernon is getting a little ice along the edges this week. Settlement was slow to fair for success.

Send your central region fishing tips to ScottRoot@utah.gov or to DWR's fishing forum.

NORTHEASTERN REGION

Information compiled by Ron Stewart
Northeastern Region Conservation Outreach Manager

Updated November 29

GENERAL - Cold, windy weather and snow in many areas have kept the anglers close to home. No reports yet of lakes icing up but it shouldn't be long if the cold weather continues. Pelican is ususally the first to freeze and it still has open water and plenty of ducks.

BIG SAND WASH RESERVOIR - Reservoir is drained for repairs and was treated to remove fish in early September. Restocking is scheduled for the spring of 2005.

BULLOCK/COTTONWOOD RESERVOIRS - No new reports. Cottonwood doesn't have much in it, drained to work on dam. Reservoirs are located approximately five miles north of the town of Gusher.

BROUGH RESERVOIR - No recent reports cold and windy. Fishing from the bank, float tubes or small boats is recommended due to primitive launch conditions (mud) and low water levels. Note: Special regulations, please read proclamation. To get to Brough, take State Route 88 south from US Route 40 (Ouray Road). Turn west at the second dirt road past the high power lines. Follow this road approximately two miles staying to the left at each main fork. Road is quite rutted.

BROWNIE/SPIRIT LAKE - No new reports. Weather was cold and windy with recent snowstorms. The roads haven't been gated yet but there is ice and snow to make access difficult.

EAST PARK/OAKS PARK - No new reports. Weather was cold and windy with recent snowstorms. Roads have snow and ice.

CALDER/CROUSE RESERVOIRS - Calder (2004) joined Crouse (2002) as a drought victim. DWR biologists determined Calder had a complete winterkill just prior to ice melt.

CURRANT CREEK RESERVOIR - Old reports of good fishing. The road around the reservoir is inaccessible. Have been some good snowstorms in area. Be prepared for all types of weather and poor road conditions. Road to the dam is maintained periodically through the winter.

FLAMING GORGE - All ramps except Anvil Draw are accessible. Lake trout fishing is good in Linwood Bay. To protect spawning lake trout, Linwood Bay is closed to fishing 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. from October 15 through December 15. Other good locations include Sheep Creek, Antelope, Anvil Draw and Stateline. Look for fish 60 to 110 feet deep over points and along the river channel. Techniques include trolling bottom structure using down riggers or steel line and flatfish, crank baits, or a flasher trailing a squid or small lure; or vertical jigging using tube or bucktail jigs with or without a minnow or sucker meat. There are many small- and medium-sized lake trout in Flaming Gorge, so please take advantage of the new six-fish lake trout regulation (one over 28 inches) and harvest a limit. Kokanee and smallmouth bass fishing will slow as water temperatures cool. Rainbows are being caught using kokanee techniques, and boat anglers are catching fish near the surface trolling small lures or a nightcrawler behind popgear. Shore anglers should do well at Mustang, Sheep Creek, Antelope, Anvil Draw, Squaw Hollow and South Buckboard fishing a nightcrawler/marshmallow combo just off the bottom, or casting spinners or jigs.

GREEN RIVER (upper) Base flows are 800 cfs with no fluctuations, and should remain at that level through the fall and winter. Fishing remains good using terrestrial dry fly patterns and attractors; and occasional caddis and fall baetis hatches, particularly below Little Hole, have provided additional surface action. Try cicada, Chernobyl Ants, beetles, hoppers and other attractor patterns, size 8–12; and small elk hair or GT caddis, size 12–16. Nymph fishing is effective and will become increasingly so through the fall using olive, tan or pink scuds, size 10–16; San Juan Worms, size 12–14; bead head midge, size 16–22; pheasant tails, size 16–20, and Glo Bugs. For streamer fishing, try brown, tan or olive wooly buggers, size 2–6, and light-colored minnow imitations. Spin fishermen have been doing well using small rapalas; spinners; black, brown or olive marabou jigs; and tube jigs. New Zealand Mudsnail densities have dramatically increased in several localized areas near Little Hole, and have been documented within several miles of the dam. Please thoroughly clean mud and vegetation from waders, boats and fishing gear, and if possible, completely dry equipment before leaving the area.

GREEN RIVER (lower) - No new reports. Water levels remain low.

MATT WARNER RESERVOIR - Reservoir reopened to fishing. Ice and snow are making roads difficult to travel.

MOON LAKE - No new reports. Old reports were good fishing with a variety of species and sizes being taken. No new reports on road conditions. There have been snowstorms in the area.

PELICAN LAKE - Few reports from anglers, fishing slow. No ice yet. Reservoir levels are low, so larger boats will have difficulty launching. BLM boat ramp closed October 18 for repairs and improvements; check with the BLM for status. During the fall, the reservoir receives most of its use from waterfowl hunters.

RED FLEET RESERVOIR - No new reports. Old reports of good fishing for rainbow trout just prior to last set of storms. No reports on bass or bluegill. Trout now found more in the surface waters and bass/bluegill heading deeper.

STARVATION RESERVOIR - No new reports. Old reports were fair to good fishing for trout, few reports on bass, walleye or yellow perch.

STEINAKER RESERVOIR - No new reports since last set of storms. Old reports of good fishing for trout; no reports for bass or bluegill. Trout have moved into cooler surface waters.

UINTA MOUNTAIN LAKES AND STREAMS - Lakes, ponds, and streams should be icing up, especially on shallow waters. Be prepared for serious winter weather. Area receiving frequent snow storms and high winds, up to several feet of snow in some higher areas. Note: four-trout limit with a bonus of four more brook trout — see proclamation for details.

SOUTHEASTERN REGION

Information compiled by Brent Stettler
Southeastern Region Conservation Outreach Manager

Updated November 23

GENERAL - The ice situation is variable. Ice fish with a buddy. Carry emergency equipment, such as a rope and ice picks for each person. The DWR thanks Todd Munford of Big Pine Sports in Fairview for providing fishing information for the Wasatch Plateau.

ABAJO MOUNTAINS - No report.

BENCHES RESERVOIR - The reservoir has four inches of ice. Ice fishing was fair to good with rainbow or chartreuse PowerBait, floated six inches off the bottom..

BOULGER RESERVOIR - No recent report. Access by snowshoe or sled. four inches of ice.

CLEVELAND RESERVOIR - About half the reservoir has ice. Fishing was fair with yellow PowerBait or shrimp egg/PowerBait combination.

ELECTRIC LAKE - The north end is accessible by hiking, 4-wheeler or snow machine. Fishing was good from the shore with a nightcrawler/salmon egg combo. Spincasters have had luck with _ ounce (or smaller) white or black marabou jigs or fat Gitzits.

FAIRVIEW LAKES - The lakes are ice-covered. Access is difficult.

FERRON CREEK (above Millsite Reservoir) Try small 1/16-ounce hair jigs or crankbaits.

GIGLIOTTI POND - Biologist Justin Hart suggests that parents take their kids fishing on warm afternoons. Good fishing is expected until ice-over. PowerBait, worms, and small spinners are recommended.

HUNTINGTON CREEK - Flows are very low below the dam. Try fishing further downstream for best results. The best flies have been lil brassies, PTs or #18 copper johns. Below the forks, anglers have had good luck with nightcrawlers.

HUNTINGTON RESERVOIR (on the Wasatch Plateau) Ice is about four inches thick. Use caution until ice hardens. Ice anglers have had good luck with 1/16-ounce white Gitzits, tipped with a piece of nightcrawler or meal worm. Keep the bait three cranks off the bottom. The reservoir is closed to the possession of cutthroat trout and trout with cutthroat markings.

JOES VALLEY RESERVOIR - Joes Valley Reservoir is closed to fishing until December 11th to protect spawning splake. Although splake are sterile hybrids of lake trout and brook trout, they still attempt to spawn and are very vulnerable to anglers. In past years, very large splake (5–15 pounds.) were harvested in large numbers during the November to early December time period. Because large splake are needed to control the chub population, fisheries managers in cooperation with concerned anglers petitioned the RAC to close fishing during the spawning period. The RAC and Wildlife Board approved the request and closed Joes Valley Reservoir to fishing from November 1 until the second Saturday in December.

LASAL MOUNTAINS - Higher mountain lakes have frozen with very limited access. Fishing was good at Kens Lake for 10- to 12-inch trout with PowerBait, worms and spoons.

LOWER FISH CREEK - Fisheries biologist Craig Walker reports that the flow of water down lower Fish Creek was cut temporarily for Scofield dam maintenance. During this period, brown trout can be found in larger pools. Because of low water, the fish are easily spooked, so a stealthy approach is recommended.

MILLER FLAT RESERVOIR - Access by snow machine only. The reservoir is frozen. Unknown ice thickness.

POTTER'S PONDS (same as for Miller Flat Reservoir)

SCOFIELD RESERVOIR - Ice covers about half of the reservoir, depending on time of day and day to day temperature fluctuations. All boat ramps are closed. Todd Munford recommends using a nightcrawler/chartreuse marshmallow combination. Another good bet is a chartreuse mallow/orange sparkle PowerBait combo. A lot of rainbows are being caught in the 14-inch-size class. Fly fishermen have been using olive crystal buggers, brown wooly buggers or leech patterns.

LAKE POWELL

By Wayne Gustaveson, www.wayneswords.com

Updated November 11

Lake elevation: 3,570 ft., Water temperature: 57–59° F.

For striper fishing there is really only one place to be right now. That is between Warm Creek and West Canyon accessed out of Wahweap or Antelope Point Marinas. All other locations are reporting difficult fishing success for stripers.

Stripers in Padre Bay have left open water probing for shad in the backs of short canyons and cuts. On good weather days there is still an occasional boil to mark the site of a roving school. Most often no splashes are seen, but casting a Jumpin Minnow or Sammy to the shore in weedy shallow water draws a reaction strike from stripers up to 10 pounds. Cast two lures side by side and create your own boil.

Striper action is good in the channel that once was the Castle Rock cut in Warm Creek. Gunsight Canyon, Padre Canyon, Kane Creek, Kane Wash, Face Canyon, coves at mouth and side canyons of Last Chance, and mouth of West Canyon all get visits from stripers schools with big fish in attendance. Find a shallow shad school hiding in the "grass" near shore and stripers will visit again soon. Mark the spot and return occasionally to find an actively feeding striper school.

On bad weather days stripers are resting at the first drop-off near shallow shad schools. Pull back from shore and find striper schools on the graph. Follow the submerged creek channel (100 feet) and look on the first terrace (45-60 feet) for resting striper schools. Drop spoons to create a subsurface boil that can be seen on the graph screen.

It would pay to make a trip now to mark the location of these schools caught half way between the surface and the depths. In another two weeks both shad and stripers will slow down and become much less mobile. When that happens some of the biggest catches of the year can be had. The good part is that both shad and stripers will be found near these same spots through the month of December. Trip after trip to the same spot will be very successful once a permanent holding location is found.

Big bass are feeding in with stripers in the shallow shad spots. Bass tournament anglers working shallow shad schools in Padre Bay and Face Canyon with surface baits have placed highly in recent events. Smaller bass are still on the rocky points and terrace drop-offs eating crayfish.

Fishing for stripers is hot at night under lights using small pieces of anchovy fished at 30-40 feet in Wahweap Marina. Tie up to the bouy line or houseboats slips in the private boat marina near main ramp.

SOUTHERN REGION

Information compiled by Mike Ottenbacher
DWR Southern Region

Updated November 18

BAKER RESERVOIR - Little fishing pressure. The reservoir is full and that should help for next year. Fall and winter are generally one of the better times to catch a nice brown trout here. Try a Rapala-type lure or large streamer or wooly bugger fly pattern.

BARKER RESERVOIRS, NORTH CREEK LAKES - Most of the lakes on the Boulder Mountain are closed from Nov 1 through mid April. Barker and Lower Barker reservoirs are two that remain open. The recent storms have limited access to the Barkers. They may still be accessible by 4-wheel-drive, but we don't recommend it.

BEAVER MOUNTAIN LAKES - Access is limited along the South Fork above Little Reservoir. Kents, Anderson Meadow, Labaron are not accessible. Kents Lake and Lower Kents lake were recently treated with rotenone to remove golden shiners. They well be restocked next year. The main road was plowed as far as Puffer, but ice is starting to form there.

BEAVER RIVER - Little pressure. Ice is forming and may limit fishing in the canyon at some locations. Flows in the lower river, below Minersville Reservoir, are low. Most of the lower river is private property so please treat the area with respect to maintain public access. 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 - The recent storm has limited access. Higher lakes have started to freeze over. Most waters on the Boulder Mountain are closed for the winter (beginning November 1). Check the proclamation to see which waters remain open. The winter closures are intended to preserve the quality of fishing which many of the Boulder Mountain lakes are noted for. During the winter brook trout are often concentrated near springs under the ice, making them particularly vulnerable to angling at some locations. Other special regulations on many of the Boulder Mountain waters include a trout limit of four, of which only two may be over 14 inches.

DUCK CREEK/ASPEN MIRROR - Parking is limited due to snow and reservoirs are icing up.

EAST FORK OF THE SEVIER RIVER - The river in Black Canyon was relatively clear. Turbidity could increase with more precipitation. Small browns are abundant through most of the stream. There are also a few rainbow and cutthroat trout. Some larger fish are present in the area near Osiris Mill and above. Try small spinners, streamers or egg fly patterns. For the section of river from the BLM property boundary (about four 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 two trout. Releases have stopped from Otter Creek Reservoir and the stream in Kingston Canyon is low and clear. There is now public access on a section midway through the canyon that was purchased through the Blue Ribbon Program. Look for the signs. Most of the remainder of the canyon is private and posted so ask permission first.

ENTERPRISE RESERVOIR - Upper and Lower): The upper reservoir was half full following the recent storms. That's good news for getting the fishery back next year.

FISH LAKE - Little pressure. Fair fishing for rainbow rout and splake. Best fishing is by boat. You can catch rainbows still-fishing with bait or trolling spinners or pop gear with a worm. Troll deeper for lake trout. For splake, try anchoring and jig with a spoon or plastic jig tipped with sucker or perch meat. Shore fishing for rainbows is best at Twin Creek using worms or spinners, but remember, the stream itself is closed to fishing. If fishing is slow, try for perch near the weeds. Use a small spoon or jig tipped with a piece of worm or just a piece of worm below a float. Most of the perch are small but you can get a mess of tasty filets in a short time. Special regulations for Fish Lake include no more than two of your four trout limit may be lake trout and only one may be a lake trout larger than 20 inches. It is generally late December before there is sufficient ice for ice fishing here.

FORSYTH RESERVOIR - The reservoir is filling. Good fishing for some nice splake and tiger trout. 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 low. Brown trout are abundant in the section between Mamoit Springs and Mill Meadow. The lower river in the Bicknell Bottoms was clear. 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.

GUNLOCK RESERVOIR - Slow fishing for bass, bluegill and crappie. Remember special regulations for bass — four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches.

JOHNSON RESERVOIR - Access may be restricted by snow. 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. Try a large spoon or minnow imitation. If you catch one, please contact the nearest DWR office with some details.

KOLOB RESERVOIR - Snow has restricted access from the north. Access from the south may be restricted by snow at any time. Most of the reservoir was still open water last week but ice along shore may limit fishing soon. Special regulations include artificial flies and lures only, with a limit of one trout which must be over 22 inches. Scented jigs are not allowed.

KOOSHAREM RESERVOIR - The reservoir is filling. Fair fishing for cutthroat up to 15 inches as well as some rainbows.

LOWER BOWNS RESERVOIR - Access may be restricted since the recent storms. The reservoir was very low, making it difficult to launch a boat.

MILL MEADOW RESERVOIR - The reservoir is filling. Slow fishing. Little pressure. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

MINERSVILLE RESERVOIR - The reservoir is now filling. Trout have been restocked this fall, so hopefully we'll get the fishery back by next spring. The normal special regulations at Minersville were temporarily removed this summer because of the draining of the reservoir. The normal special regulations are now back in effect. Special regulations include artificial flies and lures only, with a limit of one trout which must be over 22 inches. Scented jigs are not allowed. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

MONROE MOUNTAIN LAKES - Access was restricted by the recent snow and lakes are starting to freeze.

NAVAJO LAKE - Snow restricts access. The lake is now frozen but no reorts on thickness or safety of the ice.

NEWCASTLE RESERVOIR - The reservoir is filling. Slow fishing for rainbow trout.

OTTER CREEK RESERVOIR - The reservoir is filling and was stocked with seven-inch trout. The creel limits were increased this past summer due to the drought and draining of the reservoir. The normal statewide limit of four trout has now resumed. Fish will not be catchable size until next spring but will grow fast and provide some good fishing again next year. If there is a silver lining to the drought situation it is that numbers of chubs have also been reduced by the draining of the reservoir which will reduce competition between chubs and stocked trout. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

PANGUITCH LAKE - The lake is low but now coming up. Launching a boat is difficult, but you may still be able to launch small at the north shore ramp. Some ice was starting to form along shore but fishing has still been possible from shore. That could change will any new cold fronts. The Cedar Creaks road was closed. Fishing was fair for mainly 10- to 12-inch rainbows, with some reports of larger fish the past couple of weeks. 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.

PARAGONAH (RED CREEK) RESERVOIR - Access is questionable following the recent storms. No recent reports.

PINE LAKE - The lake is still accessible but that could change with additional storms. Still mostly open water. Fair fishing for 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout. Try PowerBait or worms from shore. Damsel fly or leech patterns will work for fly fishers.

PINE VALLEY RESERVOIR - Catchable stocking has ended for the summer. Slow fishing for the remaining trout.

PIUTE RESERVOIR - The reservoir is now filling and will be restocked this fall. Keep your fingers crossed for a good winter so we can get this reservoir filled again and get a fishery back.

QUAIL LAKE - The lake has come up about 16 inches since the recent storms. Fair for trout and bass. Slow for bluegill. Try plastic baits, crayfish crankbaits for bass; small jigs or a piece of worm below a float for bluegill. Remember the special regulations for bass - four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches.

REDMOND LAKE - Little pressure. Winter is generally the best time to catch pike here. Try a large spoon, Rapala-type lure or dead minnow.

REX RESERVOIR - Access is likely restricted following recent storms. No recent reports.

SAND HOLLOW RESERVOIR: A new reservoir near St. George. Public access to the reservoir is available only through the State Park. The water level is coming up. Reports of fair to good fishing for bass up to 14-15 inches as well as some 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 four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches.

SEVIER RIVER, ASAY CREEK, MAMMOTH CREEK - Tributaries and main stream have been high and turbid following the recent storms. 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 a gold spinner or egg pattern as the browns spawn. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

THOUSAND LAKES MTN - Access is likely restricted following recent storms. No recent reports.

TROPIC RESERVOIR - Reservoir at the head of the East Fork of the Sevier River, west of Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park. Access is likely restricted following recent snow.

URBAN PONDS - The two Tawa ponds along the Snow Canyon Parkway in St. George have been stocked with trout. The Hurricane Pond has also been stocked with rainbow trout. The Skyline Drive Pond in St. George is schedule to be lowered for maintenance and will probably not be stocked till near the first of the year. The trout limit is two 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.

WIDE HOLLOW RESERVOIR - Reservoir at Escalante State Park west of the town of Escalante. The reservoir is now filling. Fishing will be slow until stocking next spring.

YANKEE MEADOW RESERVOIR - Access is likely not possible following the recent storm. No recent reports.

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