I have not yet fished Jordanelle and I am one who does not own a boat.
If I did drive to Jordanelle, would I be able to find a lot of shore access to good bass habitat?
How would it compair to Pineview with respect to shore access?
Any advice would be great.
If you are willing to do some hiking, the shore fishing for smallies is probably better at Jordanelle than at Pineview…with fewer other bankers and boaters to contend with. Access to the lake is limited to a couple of main areas…Hailstone and Rock Cliff. But you can set off on foot from both of these “road’s end” places and find a lot of suitable bassin. There are actually some trails and old roadbeds around some parts of the lake.
Much of the shoreline around Jordanelle is steep and rocky, with an abundance of flooded brush for cover. Good for bass habitat but it eats a lot of lures. There are also some gentle slopes and clean bottom but these areas are not usually as productive.
Water levels and water temperatures are key factors to both access and fish activity. The lake level rises fast during runoff and cools down a lot. But, as soon as it stabilizes and warms a bit, the bass move shallow to spawn and most stay within each casting distance of shore. Some of the best fishing is very shallow.
Surprisingly, there is some very good bassin’ within a few yards of the launch ramps. Some of my favorite float tube spots are almost within casting range of the PWC ramp at Hailstone and less than 100 yards from the ramp at Rock Cliff. Both of those spots are reachable by casting from shore and easily accessible.
So is some of the ice gone? Can you launch a boat? I figured it was still frozen. I guess i’m asking for a ice update.
looking at the camera… Looks like it’s still February there!
This has been a long winter. It was open by this time last year, but not this year. Watch the reports. We usually have someone keeping a close watch on it.
I am surprised Bassrods isn’t up there with his boat backed up against the ice and a chain saw in the back of the truck. Getting ready to make his own hole.
Majja
How do you KNOW he isn’t up there? Look for the boat and trailer poised by the PWC ramp, where the ice comes off first. Then look for the kiva hut with strange smoke coming out the opening on the top. If you sneak up quietly you can hear him chanting and dancing the ice thaw dance.
Last year he madly launched into a wide crack and got stuck for two weeks. Had to live off gulp minnows until the crack widened and let his boat go.
I was just wondering? I have been checking the camera on utahlakeview. I read from another site that the rock cliffs had some open water? Just wondering. thanks.
The lakeview cams on Jordanelle are at Hailstone. No camera at Rock Cliff. But, since that is where the Provo River comes in, it usually does open up for a ways earlier than other spots. However, it is fairly shallow there for a long ways out. Might be some bows and browns but not likely any perch or smallies. They will be staying deep for awhile.
Thank you sir.
I believe I will give it a try when conditions change a bit.
I’m sure somebody will be hitting it ASAP and posting a report. Once the fish are located we can post a Google Map with access points.
Also, keep in mind that, especially in the Rock Cliff area, Jordanelle has a pretty abundant rattlesnake population. I wouldn’t let that deter you, just watch where you step, wear long pants and good boots. There have been several snake bites–even right on the side of the road–in the last few years up there. Probably won’t be much of a concern till it warms up quite a bit–certainly not now as the snakes are under about 4 ft of snow.