Utah Fishing Reports

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Rec Property

Soldier Summit Cabin:
- 12.86 acre lot
- 3,054 Square Feet
- 2 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms
- Family Room & Den
- Hardwood Floors
- Huge Kitchen and Large Dining Room
- 1160 sq ft basement framed for family room, 2 bdrms, 1 bath

What's New

DWR has changed the criteria for state record fish, eliminating some species from the list. Read details.

DWR also has this interesting article about safety in cougar country - with tips for use in town around your home as well as out in the backcountry.

Grand Canyon Fish/Hike/Explore
I'm heading to the Grand Canyon next week, (Jan 14 if the weather is good). I need to take photos at Toroweap, which is one of the most dramatic vistas on the North Rim. I've heard about an elusive but impressive rock art panel there, called the Shaman Panel. I'll do a moderate hike to try to find it and then head over to try fishing in the top of the canyon, downriver from Lees Ferry. I still have room in the truck if anyone wants to get out for a mid-winter adventure.

Share/Connect/Save
I've added discussion forums to my website to help people connect with others who have similar interests and to share information. We can all have better trips if we share our insights. Sometimes we can also save money by joining forces and trip sharing costs.

Join our discussions boards:
- Fishing
- Adventure Travel Cooperative
- Ancient Rock Art and Ruins
- Waterfalls

I intend to take several adventure travel trips this year. I'm starting to post info about my plans and I would appreciate hearing from people who have enjoyed similar trips, to help me zero in on the best places, guides and accommodations.

By connecting with people who have similar interests, we may be able to save money by cooperating, sharing costs and getting group rates. I trek more often than my family and friends and so I often invite others to join me. Get on the board and see what we have cooking.

I'm still debating what to do with fishing. People have asked me to start a general fishing forum but I'm reluctant because there are already good general fishing boards out there. I'm really not interested in trying to duplicate good services. Let me know if you have insights or suggestions.

Events
St George Winter Bird Festival runs Jan 28-31. It offers workshops, field trips and other activities.

Annual Bald Eagle Day will be Feb 6 with public events at Split Mountain/Green River near Vernal, the Fountain Green Hatchery and Rush Lake Ranch. Look for more details soon.

See our complete list of events.
(Note: we've brought the events listing into our wiki, so anyone can add their outdoor-related events.)

Location is key during this phase of the season. Fishing can be hot in one spot and dead cold just a few yards away. As a general rule, if you don't get bites within 30 minutes then move. Use a fish finder or flasher, if you can. Don't be concerned if you don't see fish on the graph immediately. Fish are very sensitive to vibrations and will often move away from the area where you are drilling, but will return when things settle down.

Snowmobiles and ATVs operating on the ice may also cause shallow fish to move away temporarily.

Active fish usually move around. Use your graph to identify productive depths so you get your hook in front of the active fish, and to help you stay alert when fish are in the area.

If you want fast ice fishing, try Pineview, East Canyon, Rockport, Scofield, Fish Lake, Mill Meadow or similar waters.

If you want big fish, try Bear Lake, Flaming Gorge, Strawberry or Fish Lake.

Cisco will begin spawning at Bear Lake during the middle of latter part of January. The annual Cisco Disco events will be Jan 23 at Cisco Beach. Scheduled activities include dip netting for the small fish from 6-10 am. Some dipping nets will be available for use by the public.

Later, drive to Garden City on the west side of Bear Lake for a variety of events. At noon, take an icy swim during the Bear Lake Monster Plunge at Bear Lake State Park Marina; from 2-4 pm. visit Garden City Park and participate or cheer athletes in the cross country ski and snowshoe 5K races; or build or view designs at the snow sculpting contest. Enjoy all day ice skating (bring your own skates). Warm cocoa and snacks will be served. For additional information, visit www.bearlakechamber.com, www.bearlake.org or call 800-448-BEAR (2327).