Utah Fishing & Outdoors Report

Walleye fishing is now starting to pick up at Utah Lake and Willard Bay. Crappie are also biting in Willard. Both lakes have some good early season catfishing. Action for all species will get better during the next few weeks.

Lake Powell bass look like they may start a little early this year. Water is starting to warm, and that attracts fish. Action may be very good for smallmouth and largemouth by the end of this month. Stripers will also be coming on strong within a couple weeks. See the report by Wayne Gustaveson, DWR Lake Powell project leader.

Starvation Reservoir now has open water. Walleye haven't turned on there yet - that will happen in a couple weeks. Meanwhile, brown trout are biting well there. Catch the browns trolling or casting crankbaits or flipping jigs.

At Jordanelle, Deer Creek and Rockport reservoirs the ice should be pulling back about now. Rainbows and perch will bite as these waters open up.

Otter Creek, Piute, and Minersville reservoirs all have open water and fishing is good for rainbows from boat and shore. At Otter Creek, get out in a float tube and fish with a jig tipped with bait, trying various depths until you find the fish.

Green, Provo, Weber and other streams have good early season fly fishing. Midges are hatching every day, producing surface action for those fishing tiny imitations. Nymphs consistently produce when drifted along the bottom.

Zebra Mussels, a prolific nuisance species, have become established in the lower Colorado River system and now threaten Lake Powell. Take care to clean boats to prevent their spread. This website has good information.

Whirling disease has been found in the Duchesne River and DWR is worried it could spread to strawberry. Details.

Here are two discussion board posts with excellent information, one on early walleye at Willard Bay and one on the timing of the walleye spawn.

Check DWR's weekly fishing reports for current fishing info.