Utah Fishing & Outdoors Report

Outdoor recreation became front-page news this week, after a black bear killed a child in American Fork Canyon. Wildlife officials are taking heat and are evaluating bear management polices. Two campgrounds have been closed because of bear incidents. You'll find links below to a large number of news articles about these issues.

Newsweek reports that participation in hunting and fishing activities is down nationwide. Wildlife officials in Utah and across the nation are concerned about that trend and are trying various schemes to interest young people in wildlife-related recreational activities. Read the Newsweek article.

Meanwhile, there is great fishing all around Utah right now. Kokanee are coming on strong at Flaming Gorge, smallmouth bass fishing is hot on local waters and trout fishing is good almost everywhere.

Lake Powell summer patterns are settling in. Stripers are slurping small shad on the surface and can also be caught fishing bait deep along the main channel. Bass, catfish and sunfish are also cooperating.

Middle Provo offers very good action using Stoneflies, Drakes, PMD's and Caddisflies.

Lower Provo has good action using PMDs and other dry flies. Talk to the guys in the fly shops to find out what will work during the time you want to fish.

Green River has great action. Cicadas are still working well but their effectiveness will start to taper off during the next couple weeks. Other terrestrials, PMDs and Stoneflies will become more important on the surface. Minnow imitations will work deep.

Interesting posts from fishermen
Strawberry tips for jig fishing and trolling
Scofield is good for rainbows Also an interesting discussion about whether rainbows fight harder than tiger trout)
Jordanelle is hot for bass and big trout (nice photos)
Jordanelle, fish early for trout and bass
Utah Lake catfish from float tubes at Lincoln Beach
Flaming Gorge jig fishing for lake trout
Flaming Gorge good for kokanee (also interesting narrative about RVers stuck in the sand and boats coming off trailers)
Flaming Gorge more about kokanee
Flaming Gorge smallmouth
Deer Creek good for smallmouth and walleye
Deer Creek perch population low
Yuba walleye are making a strong comeback
Willard Bay: How to find "The Island" and other key spots
Otter Creek is good for rainbows
Pine Lake, Tropic Res and the stream above Tropic
Logan River has great fly fishing
Upper Provo is good with low water
Mantua bluegill are easy for kids to catch
Salem Pond has fast fishing (and produced an albino catfish)
Jig fishing tips, with extensive info in an attached pdf document
Fun discussion about cleaning up our streams and reservoirs

DWR Hotspots Report
DWR says these waters have hot fishing
- Pineview for bass, crappie and perch
- East Canyon for bass and trout
- Weber River for trout and whitefish
- Matt Warner for trout
- Steinaker for bass, trout and bluegill
- Ninemile Reservoir for trout
- Mill Meadow for trout, tiger trout, splake and perch
- Enterprise Reservoir (Upper) for trout and bass
- Lake Powell for bass, striped bass, walleye, catfish and sunfish
- Sand Hollow Reservoir for bass and bluegill

New Articles
Salt Lake Tribune
Boy's mauling death triggers bear-policy review as new scares close two Utah campgrounds
Proposed Mount Holly Resort draws ire from neighbors
They're back: Peregrine pair return to Salt Lake City
Hike of the week: Great Western Trail to Big Mountain - East Canyon
Outdoor Notebook: Second annual Wildflower Festival blooms at Cedar Breaks, etc.
Wharton: Tragedy can't force us to stop venturing out into the wilds
Bearproof sense
Boat launching tips
Utah trophies recognized by Boone & Crockett
Time to hit the slopes ... on your mountain bike
Lantern hummingbird feeder
Hook shot
Recreation roundup
The Outsider: Bats, sailing for women
Bird sighting
Where is it?

Deseret Morning News
Huntsman, DWR look at updating bear policy
Students take aim at title in trap shooting competition
Net results: Biologists study fish population at Strawberry
Bald eagles find Utah a pretty, great place to nest
Ray Grass: Controlling ORV abuse takes give and take
Bike notes: Thrills and spills are at cyclists' heaven
Outdoor notes
Bear attack: Why no warning at campground?
Experts find no odd factors in bear attack
Reward offered in 2 eaglets' death
Ferocious wolverine may get federal protection
Learn more about Clearfield Canal Trail
Boy killed by bearChina plans highway on Mount Everest
Ways to help avoid problems with bears
Tips to help survive family summer road trip

DWR
Peregrine falcons: they're back!
Low water levels at Willard Bay
Is it safe to camp in Utah?
Black bear confirmed
Wildlife officers kill bear involved in fatal attack