Which kind(s) of fish would likely be active at Utah Lake at this time of year and weather? Suggestions on lures and tactics?
Thanks in advance
.
Both water temps and water levels have been dropping the last month or so. Walleyes have been showing up (occasionally) off the rock shelves at LIncoln Beach…and along the rock dikes at the harbors. Ditto for white bass. Use chartreuse grubs and tubes…2" to 3"…up to 5" for the bigger walleyes. Pink is another good fall color. For some reason several species think pink when it gets colder.
Crappies and white bass…and some bluegills…will also show up in the harbors…around and under docks or other structure. Fish small jigs tipped with worm or meal worm under a bobber. Smaller is better. And the bite is often very light.
Catfish are deeper but you can catch them if you can find them. My last trip to Lincoln Beach produced quite a few kitties from 7.5 to over 9 feet of water. I usually catch some big ones right up until winter sets in for serious…and then even a few through the ice.
White bass are schooling more now. But they are hard to find. If you can find them you can usually catch a bunch. They will be at the mouths of inflows and around the inlets to harbors. They usually move inside where it is protected when the serious winter storms hit. And wherever there are white bass there are usually some walleyes around too.
If you are a bass chaser you can still find an occasional largie…usually on very slow plastic or jig and trailers near structure…especially inside harbors. If you can get access, the warm springs areas are bass magnets this time of year. Ditto for crappies and bluegills.
TubeDude,
Where is the warm springs area? I have never been down there but would love to do some bass fishing.
Is it accesible from the shore?
Thanks
Scott
I was referring to that “secret” honey hole for bassers known as Saratoga Springs. The harbor is private and you cannot access it from shore. However a lot of boaters motor in from the open lake and fish it legally. There are year-round thermal inflows that really draw in the largies and other species during the colder months.
**There are some other warm springs just north of the private harbor. They are not in a private area. They require slogging across a stretch of jungle-like reedy terrain and some wading for the best fishing. **
If you are limited to hoofing it you might wanna think about working the shoreline and docks at Lindon Harbor. No hot springs but still one of your best chances of finding a largemouth from shore. They stay tight to the steep banks and there are isolated humps and rocks to hold them. Also a good place for late fall crappies, bluegills and white bass…with the occasional walleye.
Thanks TubeDude. Haven’t been able to get out in the fall much in past years and I’ll use what you’ve shared to build on.