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Because Kory and I did so poorly (one tiny one) catching white bass on 8/14/25, as we were headed out strolling, we decided to make a run just for white bass. Yesterday, we were fishing, from the shore, at 6:00 AM with great expectations. Even fewer white bass, than the previous trip, were jumping around us. We caught a variety of species but only managed to catch two white bass in the couple of hours that we fished. Last year, in several trips, during August, we had no difficulty catching several white bass, to use strolling for catfish. I believe the algae is worse this year. I wonder if that is the problem or is something else going on.
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Hey Kent,
Thanks for the update! Last Saturday the numbers in the Provo Harbor were lower than normal, but still there were lots of them. However, as we left the harbor there was a patch of red/brown water (not green like normal for Aug) the last hundred yards before the jaws and extending out a hundred yards into the lake. It smelled awful, like decaying something, and I saw 2 WB floating in it. Perhaps it has spread?
I shot a note to Chris Crockett and he said they would check on it when they were out there this week, but I haven't heard back yet.
There was also a youtube video on the Utah Lake Fishing FB page showing quite a few dead fish down by the spillway. Not massive numbers like a lake wide problem, but noticeable numbers.
Both instances seemed isolated, but things might have changed.
Where were you at and did you see any dead WB?
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As with most fishing...for most species...on most waters...it is a food chain thing.
The small white bass come into protected shallows (like harbors) to feed on emerging midges and other bitty bites. But if oxygen levels get too low...or water chemistry gets out of whack...the midges either die off or just stay in the mud. And the whitettes don't like bad living conditions neither. All that can change pretty fast...like overnight.
I always like to score some bait at the ramp before heading out. But if there is none to be had I make some casts into shallower water on the outside...where winds keep the water better oxygenated.
Ya cain't ketch 'em where they ain't.
