Utah Lake is primarily a big shallow desert bowl. Folklore has it that it was once a deep alpine lake, ringed with tall pine forests. Balderdash. It is exactly as the pioneers found it…minus a whole lot of industry, homes and other development.
Before carp were introduced in the late 1800’s, the shallow lake was habitable to trout and other native species because there were lots of reed beds and aquatic vegetation…for cooling and cleaning the water and providing natural food sources. After carp took over the lake it became uninhabitable to many species because the carp rooted out most of the vegetation and preyed upon the eggs and young of more desirable fishies.
I have criss-crossed UL many times over the years and I can verify that even in high water years it is tough to find water over about 12 feet deep. 10 foot depths are rare with the average around most shorelines less than 6 feet. That being said, I personally know of at least two spots on Utah lake that are over 25 feet deep…and one that goes to over 50 feet. But, it is a thermal spring and the water coming in is both too warm and too full of minerals to attract many fish. However, they do gravitate to the shallower fringe areas in cold months.
The fish in Utah Lake have “adapted” to their environment. Take walleyes for example. They are a fish of cold deep lakes in the midwest. However, they have shown that they are quite at home in the shallow and usually murky waters of Utah Lake. Why? Mostly because they have a huge supply of small species to snack on and they get big…even with less than ideal condition. Because they can see well in the dark and because they have a sensitive lateral line that lets them hunt successfully even in murky water they have no problem in gathering groceries.
Even though UL is generally considered to be a polluted mudhole, it is much cleaner now than in previous years. And, during the years of higher water the lake is less prone to become “chocolate” after a windstorm. In fact, there are many days on Utah Lake when the water is an attractive green color with several feet of visibility.
Harbors are often deeper than the open lake nearby because they are usually dredged…at least a channel to the mouth of the harbor. This offers fishies a bit more depth as well as the aforementioned structure. And in a big flat bottomed lake like UL, a few inches to a foot can make a big difference. I have fishing days when I find fish in exactly 4.5 feet of water…for their own reasons…and cannot get bites in shallower or deeper water. You would not think it would matter but if it matters to the fish it should matter to the fisherman.
Most fish species in Utah Lake do not live a long time and they are not blessed with brains capable of thinking and accute memory. But, they do have innate drives that lead them to search out specific conditions…year after year…and after finding the appropriate conditions (deep water with structure) one year they instinctively head back there the next year…and bring their buddies.
I have seen a real confirmation of this pattern during the low water years of the drought of early 2000’s. Utah Lake was ridiculously low and all of the “standard” patterns were out the window. No water in the previously good spots. And the harbors only had at best a couple of feet of water in them…not enough for boats. But, right on schedule the white bass, crappies and others wandered into the harbors and set up winter quarters in the now shallow waters. You could actually catch fish in less than a foot of water right next to the docks.
**As one learns the lake, over years of fishing all of the various areas around the lake, it becomes easier to project where to go under varying circumstances…for a targeted species. As with all fishing, experience is the best teacher. **
**It is funny to make comparisons though. On the same day in January you might have to fish in 50 feet of water to catch crappies in Pineview…but only 4 or 5 feet of water in Utah Lake. Same fish, different waters, different conditions. **
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