Utah Fishing & Outdoors Report

Flaming Gorge is one of our best fishing spots right now. Big kokanee are being caught, along with small lake trout and smallmouth bass. The kokanee are being taken trolling deep using downriggers. They have not yet started to color up but some are developing a pronounced hook jaw. Mature kokanee turn bright red in the fall before they migrate up tributary streams, spawn and die. This post has good information and incredible photos. This post and this one also offer good info.

Huge Lake Powell Striped Bass
The photo illustrating this report was sent to us by Alphonso Gonzales. He picked up the fish in Last Chance Bay at Lake Powell on July 24. It is about 49 inches long and weighed between 40 and 50 pounds. Apparently it was dead and floating when he found it. Had he caught it with a rod and reel it may have been a new state record. Here's an interesting thread of posts about the incident.

Striped bass boils are still sporadic at Lake Powell. Surface action should pick up there any day now. Other species offer good fishing.

Monsoon Rains
We are now in the "monsoon season," with thunderstorms developing many days. Sportsmen need to use extra caution to minimize danger from flash floods and lightning. The flood that came down North Creek in Zion Park on Wednesday would have almost certainly killed anyone in the Subway (a popular Zion canyon hike). Never enter slot canyons when there is a chance of thunderstorms in the drainage. If thunderstorms develop, get off high ridges and mountain peaks, and take refuge when fishing.

Interesting Posts By Anglers
Jordanelle smallmouth continue to provide fast fishing
Porcupine Reservoir is good for small kokanee; water is low
Middle Provo River is fast for browns using lures (great photos)
Pineview Reservoir is good for smallmouth
Scofield Reservoir is good for assorted trout fishing bait; water is low
Fishing live leeches for trout - fun story
Electric Lake - cutts hit but are hard to hook; Lower Fish Creek is good with dry flies (beautiful photos)
Causey Reservoir offers good family fishing for small trout
Willard Bay adventure with boat taking on water - fun story

DWR Hotspots Report
DWR says these waters offer hot fishing- Long Park Reservoir (Uintas) for trout- Pineview Reservoir for crappie, bass and perch- Weber River for trout and whitefish
- Fish Lake for splake, rainbows, perch- Sand Hollow Reservoir for bass and bluegill- Lake Powell for bass, stripers, walleye, crappie and catfish

News Reports
DWR
Apply for a swan permit starting Aug. 10

Deseret Morning News
Summer splash — Reservoirs have plenty of water for recreation
Park City mountain biker to ride in Jeep King series
Racers to relive history on car track
Time's right if you're hooked on fishing Utah waters
Current ramp, water conditions at Utah reservoirs
Pack canoes — Lighter boats open up remote mountain lakes
Cycling notebook: Loads of options for valley cyclists
Outdoor notes

Salt Lake Tribune
Recreation Roundup
Outdoor Notebook: Zion openings, star party and more
Celebrating 50 years of Utah State Parks
Wharton: Utah state parks have come a long way in only 50 years
State Parks: The challenges ahead
Tight lines: Teens aim to hook scholarship prizes
Where is it?
The Outsider: Balloons and bicycling
Hook shot
Take the ranger with you GPS RANGER
Book shelf
Boat ramps closed at Willard Bay
Bird sighting
Hike of the week: Millvue Peak - Mill Creek Canyon

KUTV Roughin It
Wildfires Destroy Thousands Of Wilderness Acres
Smaller Utah Creeks Now Open To Fishing
Younger Utahns Are Turning Into Expert Anglers
Utah State Parks - Bear Lake