Utah Fishing Reports

What's New
DWR's heart-shaped elk herd is shown in the photo above. Hardware Ranch workers put out hay in a heart-pattern in celebration of Valentine's Day. Read more.

Recreation Property
Save 30% on 5-10 acre mini-ranches at Meadows Estates on the Creek - located between Strawberry and Starvation Reservoirs. Prices and interest rates are at rock bottom. There has never been a better time to buy. More information, 1.800.UTAH.LAND or 435.738.5656

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Kevin Fox caught the fish above, and several other small browns last week drifting worms through holes on Hobble Creek.

Events
Bryce Canyon Winter Festival, February 14-16 at Ruby's Inn Resort, at the entrance to Bryce Canyon. There will be plenty of snow this year. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, photography and many other activities will be offered. There will be clinics teaching skills related to winter recreation, competitions, activities for kids, food, music and fun.

Utah RV Show, February 19-22, 2009, South Towne Expo Center. This is a one-stop marketplace for every kind of outdoor recreational vehicle. You'll see motor homes, tent trailers, custom vans, 5th wheels, campers, SUVs.

Snow Goose Festival, Feb 20-21, Delta. Observe huge flocks of migrating snow geese and other birds at Gunnison Bend Reservoir and Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area. Every February, thousands of beautiful lesser snow geese use the farm fields and bodies of water between the Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area and the Delta, Utah area as a resting point on their northern migration. There is no other site in Utah that offers the chance to see so many snow geese in one place. The sight and sound of thousands of snow geese in the air and upon the water in such a concentrated gathering, we believe is one of the most incredible wildlife experiences available. The festival includes a dinner, trap shoot, quilt show and other activities.

See our events calendar

- Good Fishing, Dave Webb

Some surprisingly good fishing is available right now, if you bide your time and go between storms.

Streams now have pretty consistent fishing and conditions aren't bad at lower elevations. On a warm afternoon it can be downright pleasant. Fly fishermen do well putting small midges on the surface or working nymphs or streamers deep. On streams where baits are legal, a piece of worm will take fish when it is drifted through holes. Spinners and Raplasa also work on the streams.

Flaming Gorge has open water on the Utah side and trolling is productive for rainbows and an occasional lake trout. The most consistent action comes fishing deep using downriggers; fish can also be caught trolling lures just under the surface. Big lake trout have to stay in deep, cooler water during much of the year, but they roam freely during late winter and early spring. The next few weeks will be the best time to go after them if you don't have the specialized gear needed to fish the bottom.

Bass hunker down during stormy, unsettled weather. If we get several days of stable, warming weather then fish for largemouth at Sand Hollow, Quail Lake or Lake Powell. It is still early for bass fishing, but the bite can be good if you choose the right days.

Ice fishing is still productive at higher-elevations. You've got to work to get into the fish but it is worth the effort at Strawberry, Fish Lake, Currant Creek and other similar waters.

Apply now for Utah big game hunting permits. Applications will be accepted at www.wildlife.utah.gov until 11 pm on Feb 26. Don't wait until the last minute. Thousands apply at that time and it the DWR website slows down to a crawl. Read more.