Thanks for the reports Fishhound, Gunlock and Quail are calling my name. Well, in two months it will be a little louder [:)].
BAKER RESERVOIR: Previous ice should break up with the warmer weather. Winter is a good time to target large brown trout at Baker, as long as there is open water. Try minnow-imitating lures and flies, or dead minnows.
BARKER RESERVOIRS, NORTH CREEK LAKES: All lakes except Barker and Lower Barker Reservoirs are closed to fishing through April 20. Dougherty Basin is closed until July 12. All lakes are frozen over. Access is limited to snowmobile and ATV. Special regulations on many of the Boulder Mountain waters include a trout limit of four of which only two may be over 14 inches.
BEAVER MOUNTAIN LAKES: All lakes are frozen over. Access to most lakes by snowmobile only.
BEAVER RIVER, LOWER: Mostly open water. Still iced up just above the fairgrounds, though this should open up if the weather keeps warming up. One report of fast action for rainbows and browns dead-drifting wooly buggers through the deep holes. Much of the river is on private property, so please treat the area with respect. Much of the private land is open to walk-in access, but some is closed to trespass so watch for signs.
BEAVER RIVER, UPPER: Most of the river is iced over, making fishing difficult. 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: Most Boulder Mtn. lakes are closed to fishing through April 20. Check the Utah Fishing Guide (proclamation) for which lakes are still open. Access on most of the mountain is limited to snowmobile and ATV. No recent reports. Special regulations on many of the Boulder Mountain waters include a trout limit of four of which only two may be over 14 inches.
CHALK CREEK: Small stream east of Fillmore. Access can be difficult in winter. Wild rainbows are abundant and can be caught with spinners and flies. 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: Water is clear and low. Though trout get sluggish during the winter, stream fishing can be very productive throughout the colder months. Successful winter tackle includes nymphs, spinners, and natural baits.
CORN CREEK: Access can be difficult in winter. Wild brown trout are abundant and can be caught with spinners and flies. Though trout get sluggish during the winter, stream fishing can be very productive throughout the colder months. Successful winter tackle includes nymphs, spinners, and natural baits.
DUCK CREEK SPRINGS/ASPEN MIRROR LAKE: Closed to fishing until April 20. This closure includes Duck Creek stream.
EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER KINGSTON CANYON: Some open water in the private sections, but the river is still iced over in the public-access areas. The ice should begin to clear within the next few weeks, if the weather continues to warm up. There is public access on a section of Kingston Canyon 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.
EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER BLACK CANYON: Unlike Kingston Canyon, the river here doesn’t freeze over and can provide some good winter fishing. Though trout get sluggish during the winter, stream fishing can be very productive throughout the colder months. Successful winter tackle includes nymphs and spinners. 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. Some private land is closed to trespass, so watch for the signs.
EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER ABOVE TROPIC RES: Much of the river is covered with ice, making fishing difficult. Access is limited.
ENTERPRISE RESERVOIR: (Upper and Lower): The upper reservoir was drained for dam repairs. A fish consumption advisory was issued for rainbow trout in Upper Enterprise Reservoir due to elevated levels of mercury. It is recommended that adults limit their consumption to one eight-ounce portion per month. Women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children should limit their consumption to one two-ounce portion per month. For further details, visit www.fishadvisories.utah.gov.
FISH LAKE: 10 to 12 inches of ice with some snow on top. Some slushy spots near the edges. Splake fishing continues to be hot for 12- to 18-inch fish. Jig on the bottom just off the weedline in 15 to 25 feet of water. If fishing in deeper water, fish are suspended at about the same depth. Tip your jigs with sucker or perch meat for best success. A few rainbows also being caught while jigging for splake. Perch fishing can be fast around the weedline using small jigs tipped with meal worms or perch meat. Remember that the perch limit here is 50 and harvest of perch is encouraged. A few lake trout are being caught by very patient anglers. Note: A few tiger muskies have moved up from Johnson Reservoir. The general statewide limits on tiger muskie apply here-one fish, which must be over 40 inches.
FORSYTH RESERVOIR: State Road 72 is closed just past the Mill Meadow turnoff. No word on when the snow will be plowed. Access by snowmobile and ATV. Very little fishing pressure and slow to fair success for splake. Slow for tiger trout. Try jigs tipped with sucker meat. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.
FREMONT RIVER: Access is closed past Mill Meadow Reservoir. Though trout get sluggish during the winter, stream fishing can be very productive throughout the colder months. Successful winter tackle includes nymphs, spinners, and natural baits. The lower sections of the stream can be good at any time of year if the water is not turbid. Much of the lower stream is on private land. Ask for permission before fishing on private land. 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: Fishing is slow. Remember special regulations for bass: four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches. A fish consumption advisory was issued for largemouth bass from Gunlock due to elevated levels of mercury. It is recommended that adults limit their consumption of largemouth bass to two eight-ounce portions per month. Women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children should limit their consumption to one four-ounce portion per month. For further details, visit www.fishadvisories.utah.gov.
JOHNSON RESERVOIR: Musky fishing will be nonexistent until spring. The reservoir contains an abundance of suckers, Utah chubs, and small yellow perch. Special regulations: Whole fish and amphibians are not allowed as bait. Cut bait must be no longer than one inch in any dimension and only one piece per hook. Limit one tiger musky over 40 inches all tiger muskies less than 40 inches must be immediately released.
KOLOB RESERVOIR: Access is limited to snowmobile and ATV. No recent reports. Special regulations include artificial flies and lures only, with a limit of one trout, which must be over 18 inches. Scented jigs are not allowed. Tributary streams are closed to fishing until July 12. Please call the poaching hotline (1-800-662-DEER) to report violations.
KOOSHAREM RESERVOIR: Plenty of ice, but fishing is slow.
LOWER BOWNS RESERVOIR: Limited access due to snow. Fishing could be good if you can get there.
MAMMOTH CREEK: Flows are generally low and clear. Though trout get sluggish during the winter, stream fishing can be very productive throughout the colder months. Successful winter tackle includes nymphs and spinners. Public access is possible on some of Mammoth Creek west of Highway 89 please watch for and respect private property postings. Special regulations apply to a section of Mammoth Creek check the proclamation for details. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.
MILL MEADOW RESERVOIR: Ice is 12 inches thick. Fishing continues to be good for nice-sized perch in 20 to 25 feet of water with some anglers finding fast fishing. If action is slow, try moving around. Try small jigs tipped with worms, meal worms, or perch meat. Action is also fair to good for trout, mostly browns, with an occasional rainbow or splake. Remember that the perch limit is 20. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.
MINERSVILLE RESERVOIR: Ice is 10 to 12 inches thick with some slushy spots on the edges, especially on warm days. Pressure is moderate on weekends. Fishing continues to be fair to good for 16- to 21-inch rainbows and a few cutthroat. Fish are being caught in eight to 12 feet. A variety of jigs (marabou to plastics) in 1/8 ounce or 1/16 ounce are producing well. Color varies with the day, but at times any color seems to work. The key seems to be almost constant action. Best times are morning and afternoon. 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 call the poaching hotline (1-800-662-DEER) to report violations. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.
MONROE MOUNTAIN LAKES: Snow limits access. These lakes typically don’t get much ice fishing pressure. Manning Meadow Reservoir is closed to fishing until July 12.
NAVAJO LAKE: The gate is closed access by snowmobile. Ice is safe. Ice fishing is a good way to target splake. Try jigs tipped with sucker meat or stillfishing dead minnows.
NEWCASTLE RESERVOIR: Ice may be getting soft with recent warm temperatures, so use caution. No recent fishing reports. Note: Dead golden shiners are no longer legal to use as bait. See the Utah Fishing Guide (page 27) for details. A fish consumption advisory was issued for rainbow trout in Newcastle Reservoir due to elevated levels of mercury. It is recommended that adults limit their consumption to two eight-ounce portions per month. Women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children should limit their consumption to one four-ounce portion per month. For further details, visit www.fishadvisories.utah.gov.
OTTER CREEK RESERVOIR: Ice is 14 inches thick. Lots of pressure on weekends. Fishing is excellent for 15- to 20-inch rainbows in eight to 10 feet of water. Best success with white jigs tipped with mealworm, fished on the bottom or suspended halfway up. Also good success reported using white tube jigs tipped with minnows. Fish are very fat and healthy. Many anglers have reported catching three- to four-pound fish. Fishing slows down in the afternoon. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.
PANGUITCH LAKE: Ice is 14 inches thick. Lots of pressure on weekends, little on weekdays. More cutthroat trout are being caught lately. Fishing is fair to good for rainbows and cutthroats. Rainbows are 14 to 16 inches and cutthroat are running 17 to 21 inches. Fish are being caught on the bottom in 10 to 25 feet. Best success with white or light-colored jigs tipped with mealworms, night crawlers, or minnows. Stillfishing with PowerBait is not as consistent and is not recommended because it is more likely to injure fish that you need to release. All fish are very fat and healthy but most are in the slot, so don’t plan on keeping a limit.
Special Regulations: Limit is four trout, which must be less than 15 inches or over 22 inches. All trout 15 to 22 inches must be released. Trout caught at Panguitch Lake cannot be filleted, or the head or tail removed, until you get home. Some tributaries are closed until July 12 check the Utah Fishing Guide for which streams are closed. TIPS FOR RELEASING FISH IN THE SLOT (15 to 22 inches): If a fish swallows the hook, please cut the line to avoid mortality. A fish can pass a swallowed hook and survive, while digging the hook out will almost certainly kill the fish. Also try fishing with single hooks instead of treble hooks.
PARAGONAH (RED CREEK) RESERVOIR: Access is limited to snowmobile or ATV. Larger vehicles are not recommended some people have got stuck trying to drive to the reservoir. Ice fishing could be productive, if you can get there. Tributary streams are closed to fishing until July 12. Rainbows are very abundant. Harvest is encouraged to allow fish to stay in balance with the food base. Bait is not as successful for wild fish, so try flashy lures or flies.
PINE LAKE: Should have safe ice. The road is not maintained in the winter, so you may need a snowmobile, ATV, or 4WD. Fishing could be good, if you can get there.
PINE VALLEY RESERVOIR: No recent reports.
PIUTE RESERVOIR: Ice is 14 to 16 inches thick. Much less pressure than at Otter Creek. Fishing is fair to good for 15- to 20-inch rainbows using light-colored jigs tipped with mealworms or night crawlers. Fish near the bottom in 10 to 20 feet. Best success if you get away from the crowds by the boat ramp.
QUAIL LAKE: Not much pressure. Fishing is good for rainbows both for recently stocked catchables as well as quite a few larger fish held over from last year. Bass fishing is slow. Remember the special regulations for bass: four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches.
SAND COVE RESERVOIRS: Slow.
SAND HOLLOW RESERVOIR: Bass fishing slows down during the colder months though it is still possible to catch fish during cooler weather. The keys to success are a slow retrieve (often “deadsticking”) and moving around to find the fish. Also fish deep. New regulations bass limit is six, with one over 12 inches. Public access to the reservoir is available only through the State Park.
SEVIER RIVER (UPPER), ASAY CREEK: Ice often forms and melts off and on in this stretch. Whitefish will be concentrated in some of the deeper pools and runs through the winter and will take a nymph pattern or wax worm on a dead drift. Most of the trout water on the upper 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. Asay Creek west of Highway 89 is on private land and access is restricted.
SEVIER RIVER MARYSVALE CANYON: Ice covers much of the river, making fishing difficult.
THOUSAND LAKES MTN: Access is limited by snow. Ice fishing can be productive in the Solomon Basin lakes.
TROPIC RESERVOIR: Ice should be safe, but the road is not maintained in the winter, so don’t try it without at least 4WD (may need ATV or snowmobile). There may be a few catchable rainbows left, though most would not have survived the previous low water levels.
Winter is a good time to target large brown trout. The local favorite technique is a dead minnow fished on the bottom.
URBAN PONDS: Washington County ponds: Trout have been stocked several times since early November in all the ponds. Fishing should be good with any technique, though adults are encouraged to use flies or lures. Stratton (Hurricane) Pond was refilled and fish have been stocked. Also, the pond has a fishing pier now.
WIDE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: The state park reports that the ice is safe and fishing is good for trout, bass, and bluegill.
YANKEE MEADOW RESERVOIR: Ice is 12 to 14 inches thick. Access is limited to snowmobile and ATV if the ground is frozen with no new snow. One report of fair fishing with PowerBait.