I’m a northern guy, always fishing at Strawberry, but want to take my dad fishing this weekend in southern Utah. He lives in St. George and I am unfamiliar with any trout fishing waters down there. I’ve been to Sand Hollow and Quail Lake for bass, but that’s it.
I’m looking for a good place to shore fish with him as he has really bad knees and his health is not so good. This may be the last time I’ll be able to fish with him so I’m hoping we can catch a bunch and “re-live” the good ol’ days when he first introduced me to the great outdoors.
Quail is pretty low right now so it’ll be kind of a hike to get to the waters edge. But Navajo up on Cedar mountian is full of trout that just love to eat all the usual trout baits. Just drive to the dam, walk a short ways out and start hammerin’ 'em. Good luck where ever you go.
I live up North also , and I think the South half of Utah has much better trout fishing. My quickest answer to you would be Minersville. It’s artis-only though, which I like, but you may not.
Try Pine Lake north of Bryce Canyon. It’s easy to drive to and you can fish from the dam and along the shoreline. I did really well with spinners from the shore - silver/blue Kastmasters, gold/red Jake’s and gold/red SuperDupers. Caught some nice sized rainbows and cutts if I remember correctly. Maybe try Tropic Res. a little east of Bryce, too.
Good luck and have fun!
I guess it depends on how far you’re willing to drive. Are you looking for bigger fish or smaller but faster action? Artificial only or bait? Check the DWR fishing reports and look at the hotspot map.
Thank you for all the input, it really helped in making the decision. We opted for Baker Reservoir and fished from 6-10am. We fished by the dam at first, with hardly any luck, then we went over by the campsite side (East side) and knocked 'em dead. The first cast didn’t even have a chance to hit bottom before we got one, then it was pretty frantic action until we had to leave (10am). I have a 2 pole permit, but was struggling because I when I’d cast one in, I’d be getting bites while trying to bait the other. It was great fun…Lemonade Powerbait on some poles and worm with marshmallow on the other.
Great fun was had by all and the best part was the re-bonding of family…isn’t that what the outdoors is all about? Again, thanks a million to this board and all those who contribute…I can’t say enough!