Utah Fishing & Outdoors Report

The pheasant hunt opens Saturday, with success expected to be fair.

DWR has scheduled a series of meetings to gather public input on proposed changes to deer and elk hunting seasons. The changes could be significant and so we encourage interested parties to attend and participate in the process. Here are articles on the proposals: Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret Morning News, DWR.

A group of us fished Strawberry last weekend and had a great time. Action wasn't super fast but it was steady and the size of the fish kept things interesting. Most ran 16-20 inches; we hooked into one that was probably about 24. That was during the afternoon after a full moon. My experience says success picks up as the moon wanes. Strawberry can be a little fickle - catch it just right and fishing can be very good. Expect success to be good there until snow and ice shut down the launch ramps.

Other reservoirs are also fishing well, for both trout and walleye. Our trout streams are also good. Dry fly fishermen wish we would get a little stormy weather because that would help hatches. Streamers, jigs and lures are working well, even on bright sunny days. Remember to leave spawning brown trout alone.

Steve Schmidt has this on his fishing report: "The Weber River continues to fish well compared to years past. It's not as productive as the Provo River on most days, but definitely worth a visit if you are looking for somewhere to fish close by. The BWO hatch is not as prolific on the river, but the streamer fishing can be excellent this time of year. On these warm sunny days be on the water early. You'll find cloudy days the best."

Steve continues: "Browns are beginning to spawn across the state. We encourage you not to fish to these fish when they are on their Redds. For those not familiar with a Redd, it's the area where trout lay their eggs usually found in shallows where there is finer gravel. These areas are clean, compared to the undisturbed rock around them. Trout literally beat/sweep these areas clean with their tails and bodies. A very stressful and tiring process. Our streams and rivers health depend on the success of the spawn. Leaving these fish alone will aid in the health of our fisheries for the future and years to come. Fishing to these trout often leads to a high mortality rate. It's a high price to pay just to say we caught a few more trout. Besides there are plenty of fish to catch outside of those that are actively spawning."

Read Steve's full report.

DWR Hotspots Report
DWR says these waters offer hot fishing
- Pelican Lake for bluegill and largemouth bass
- Calder Reservoir for rainbows
- Weber River for trout and whitefish

Interesting Posts By Anglers
Diamond Fork is good for browns
Strawberry trolling Rapalas
Strawberry will get larger rainbows
Snake River Sturgeon
Flaming Gorge - Don't snag the lake trout
Huntington good but spotty for tiger trout

New Articles
DWR
See bighorn sheep Nov. 17 in Provo
See bighorn sheep near Moab
Bats, Should You Be Afraid

KUTV
Olympic Hopeful Hunts First Deer In Utah
Utah's Museum Of The Wild
Utah's Wild And Scenic Areas
State Parks: Steinaker

Deseret Morning News
Ski and Snowboard School — Lessons enable beginners to hit slopes with correct techniques
News Ski School marks 60 years
Ski Utah's Fat Flake Festival Saturday at Gallivan Center
Pheasant hunt likely to be fair, at best
Amy Donaldson: No excuses: Tips to keep you running
Utah wildlife division proposing to standardize elk and deer hunts
Latest user-friendly gear available to participants in 2007 ski school
Outdoor notes
Groups sue to stop prairie dog removal in Cedar City
Victim of hunting accident hailed as 'golden neighbor'
Education called best water-saver
Web site offers advice on how to go green
Yearly boom strains Garden City
Wildlife ads show Gore-Tex's adaptability
Uintah Basin greenery sprouts anew
Garden City's tourism, construction flourish
Cabela's touted as a tourist destination
Olympics, history and urbanity boost Salt Lake tourism
If you go to Cabela's
Researcher: Yellowstone bacteria could boost ethanol production

Salt Lake Tribune
Hike of the week: Thayne Canyon loop - Mill Creek Canyon
Bird Sighting
Where is it?
Pike peak (with video)
Wondering what it takes to catch a pike? Try this
Outdoor notebook: environmental films will play in Utah, plus Bighorn sheep festivals (with video) and more
Wharton: Preserving the future of our national parks
Tight Lines: Elusive pike dream comes true
The outsider; ski swap benefit, Provo River cleanup
Proposed changes in regulations include longer deer hunt, 13-day elk hunt
Hook shot
Some reel adrenaline for snowmobilers
Snowmobiling class for youths
Recreation roundup
Book now for family reunions
Wharton: Utah's past a portal to discovery
Pals of prairie dogs sue over golf course traps
Crews work to snuff out pesky Virgin River intruder
State seeks a protective designation for rare bird

Regional
Feds OK Plan for Columbia and Snake Dams
New Draft Plan Falls Short - Again - for Idaho's Salmon
Salmon plan gets cool reception by enviros, lukewarm response by agency that made it
New federal plan to save Idaho salmon unveiled
Chutes and ladders
Study to look at whether cormorants are harming salmon runs
Scientists to Create Fish Vaccine Pellet
Wolves in N. Idaho wilderness area elude fish and game officials
Idaho Governor Unveils Series Of Water Conservation Projects
Restoration work on N. Idaho spawning grounds begins
Idaho Originals: Sturgeon
Duncan Ranch deal draws seven bidders
Plan brings ferrets back from the brink of extinction
Fishing is on the decline in Colorado
DENTRY: Glean eggs and wham: DOW hits mother lode of salmon