i have been watching post for some time on willard and there is allot of not knowing fact stuff being posted, first off straight from Weber basin there will be no water diverted to willard this year at all, what you see is what you get…30% lake level is all that is being maintained. i live right by willard and i fish it all the time i have been fishing it this year since Jan and i will tell you it is not good, i have been around the lake several times, fishing the channel, the south shore, the West dike, NW corner even the out let (north end).i have caught 1 male walleye 1 cat a few wipers the news is not good, i have reported to the DWR that i have found a large number of dead tiny catfish, also dead crappie, walleye,wipers and shad. most have been cats but a fair number of walleye and shad. they are not certain whats killing them, they are afraid of maybe some winter kill, also the south marina is posted closed due to low water and according to the state parks employee it is not going to open at all. we have a bad situation that has gotten worse and if we have a real hot summer again it may get real bad,
I have a good friend that said this would happen one day it was not a matter of if but when…and it would not be good (Tom P DWR) I was also told that there is a possibility that the north marina could close to all boats in the very near future, so those of us that fish it alot lets practice responsible fishing on this water, hope fully it will bounce back someday…keep posting info on this lake and save some folks the trip up.
[#002850]Thanks for popping in with some good info there Big Fish. Those of us that frequent that great pond are hoping for a comeback soon. Personally, I kind of suspect that once repairs are made it will be 2-3 years before things get back to normal. But then again, I ain’t no biologist or water master either. So it could rebound quickly or not for a long time. I still think that wiper fishing will be decent this year but no bets on the next two or three.
the fish are somewhere in there, I just hope I get a chance to find them, especially since the only reason I bought a state park season pass is for Willard.
That is pretty strange that the majority of dead ones have been catfish, they arent exactly fickle.
Considering the amount it costs to get into the place and launch, you would think your dollars were going to a more positive cause. How about free entry and a refund, fak that is irritating.
Do you have a link you could post to the Weber basin web site? I would like to read what they have to say about their plan on not letting water into the bay this year. Just to keep the lake from going stagnant, they should let a little water flow through the lake, even if it just goes out the outlet. This is just my opinion but I find it hard to believe they will not let water into Willard when the major spring run off begins but hey, what do I know[crazy]. WH2
I brought back a posting for you all to look at, It will show a light bulb and called willard Info. Check it out, Tube Dude and other have alot of information on Willard, fishing and water levels.
Not completely fair. The state parks have nothing to do with the current problem. They are suffering right along with us anglers. The employees who run Willard State Park and the campground are pretty much without jobs until things get corrected. There is no guarantee when you pay for a day’s entrance to the lake that you will fill a boat with fish…or even be able to launch a boat.
It is a bummer for sure. Those of us who really enjoy Willard feel real pain everytime we see it with this “cancer”.
Not surprising there are a lot of dead catfish. They are probably the most numerous fish in the lake, besides carp. But, you are right. They are usually pretty tough and it is surprising they had a dieoff. Might have been in one part of the lake that was a little shallower and less oxygen. But, I can guarantee there are still plenty left.
So with willard looking bad were would be your next choice for walleye be i live in logan and am debating buying a idaho license to fish the narrows or saving money for gas to take trips to yuba. I haven’t ever fished ether one but i love catching walleyes. So just curious were you all thinks next best. I will miss willard.
There will be plenty of fish taken from Willard this year, but not as many by those who run large boats. Small aluminum boats, tubes and pontoons will be the best way to fish it once the water level drops too low to launch larger craft.
Walleye are not likely to show up in any quantity though. Many of them were sucked out through the outlet when they dropped the level. Hardly any caught last year, even during the June prime time.
There are some decent walleyes taken every year from the Bear River near Logan. Not consistent though.
Oneida is the best shot within “reasonable” driving distance.
Until Yuba really proves to be a good walleye fishery, I would suggest that you target Starvation for longer trips. Plenty of big perch and walleye there, with bonus brownies and smallies.
Thanks tube dude. I run a 18 foot aluminum boat that can run fairly shallow and i fished willard several times last year with it with no problems but no fish ether.Cutler produces several walleyes for me every year but nothing consistent. A good friend of my dads caught a 13 pounder out there 2 years ago. I only seem to find 1 to 2 pounders and there always thin? I cant figure it out there are tons of carp for them to eat. Just wondering what lake is lake X if its a secret thats fine just curious. Thanks joe
Lake X is Jordanelle
Lake X (Jordanelle) has a few walleyes but has not yet produced enough to rate it as a “walleye lake”.
**Plenty of good smallie, perch and trout action. **
Deer Creek, just down the road from X has potentially good walleye production. Some years better than others. It is currently being kept low for the completion of dam work and the traditional best spots are high and dry. Still plenty of fish and during the postspawn month of June they are usually most catchable. However, a good walleye guy can manage to score some just about any month if they hit the right location and use the right technique.
the manager told me mabe2 feet dont no who you talked to but thats what im told.