Utah Fishing Reports

What's New
As Recession Deepens, More Americans Go Fishing
As Americans forgo expensive vacations, costly dinners and shopping mall splurges, many are opting instead for the quiet simplicity of fishing, according to the sport fishing industry and reports from bait shops and fishermen.

From the icy north to fly-fishing streams in Texas, angling is on the rise. For families, it's an inexpensive outing. Those with a knack for it can trim their grocery bills. And for newly unemployed, it's something to do.

Wasatch Fly Tying & Fishing Expo
March 20-21, Karen Gail Miller Conference Center, Salt Lake Community College. The two-day Expo will feature fly tying demos from some of the best tiers in Utah, casting clinics, fly tying and fly fishing workshops, activities for kids, prize raffles, exhibitors, and more. Activities on Friday will go from 4-9 pm and on Saturday from 8 am-4 pm. The banquet Saturday evening will start at 6:30 pm.

Listen to the Sounds of the Wild
An archive of bird and animal sounds is now available online, as a service of the JW Marriott Library at the University of Utah. Called the Western Soundscape Archive, it features audio recordings of thousands of animals and environments throughout the Western United States.

Mountain Lion Removed From Back Yard
A stray mountain lion was safely removed from a tree in the backyard of a Santa Clara residence early this afternoon.

It is believed that the lion wandered onto the property... from a nearby riverbed and that a dog frightened it, forcing it to climb the tree.

Program Would Save Big Fish
Below are tidbits from an interesting article in the Provo Daily Herald:

Trophy hunting, indeed hunting in general, has long been recognized as detrimental to the long-term welfare of wildlife species. The reason is simple. Humans are very efficient predators, and they select the biggest and best.

So it is that the average size of Pacific salmon is decreasing. The mesh size of the nets harvest the genetically larger fish, and the genetic runts escape to spread their genes to future generations.

Could fishers who caught huge fish be persuaded to let their fish be retained in captivity and used for brood stock, in exchange for a free fiberglass replica of their catch? Stevenson easily caught the vision. And Ethel quickly became the poster-girl for the new program, appropriately dubbed "Operation Share a Lone Star Lunker."

Great Outdoor Days, March 21-22, Cabelas, Lehi. 9 am - 3 pm. See the world famous Spider Bull. Learn to talk to the Turkeys with the national Wild Turkey Federation. Learn how to stop poaching in Utah from the Division of Wildlife Resources Stop Poaching Trailer. Learn how to smoke meat items using the Treager Smoker.

Pond Skimming Contest at The Canyons, March 28. See if you can ski or board across 100 feet of open water while wearing an outrageous consume. Prizes, music, food.

Easter Jeep Safari, April 4-12, Moab. The official event is hosted by the Red Rock 4-Wheelers Inc, the local four wheel drive club of Moab. Participants provide their own four-wheel drive vehicle, take care of their own food and non-alcoholic beverages for the trip. The club officially runs approximately 9 different trails every day, with "Big Saturday" culminating in the largest ever single trail ride departure happening - around 30 groups line up in downtown Moab to head off in every direction for 30 different trails! Pre-registration for this event is recommended, although limited registration at the event may be possible. Visit the club's website for registration information or mail a request to Red Rock 4-Wheelers, Inc., PO Box 1471, Moab, UT 84532-1471. www.rr4w.com

Great Salt Lake Bird Festival, May 14-18. Includes workshops, field trips, presentations, food, games, fun for the entire family. Events are held at various locations around the lake and Antelope Island. This year's keynote Speaker is Scott Weidensaul.

Lake Powell South Shad Rally, May 15-16. Join other Lake Powell enthusiasts rallying to save shad by catching stripers. All are welcome. Fishermen, boaters, those that like to eat fresh fish. There is something for everyone. Contact: Pete Klocki, 928-710-0599. Friday May 15, 8 am-6pm, Saturday May 16, 4-8 pm. Admission: free. Fish fry, potluck dinner, door prizes. Held at Lone Rock Beach, on Lake Powell near Page. Watch wayneswords.com for updates.

See our events calendar

- Good Fishing, Dave Webb

Willard Bay still has a surprising amount of floating ice. Walleye there are just becoming active and action should improve greatly during the next week.

Fly fishing should be good this weekend, with the weatherman calling for partly cloudy skies and a chance of showers later Saturday and Sunday. Blue Wing Olives like stormy weather and they should be hatching in decent numbers on both sections of the Provo. On the Green, BWOs are not yet showing with much consistency but that should change soon. Midges are still important on our trout streams. Rainbows are starting to spawn and so egg patterns and streamers may also be productive.

The Weber River continues to offer good brown and rainbow fishing, for both fly fishermen and anglers throwing lures.

Bear Lake has open water and offers good action for people who can fish deep (35 to 70 feet). Nice cutthroat and lake trout are being caught.

Flaming Gorge has open water on the Utah side, and fast fishing for rainbows and lake trout. DWR has good, detailed info in its latest fishing report. Here's just a sample: "Shore and boat fishing have been good to excellent in Utah in the Mustang, Dam and Antelope areas. There have been reports of anglers catching larger fish (in the four-pound range), as well as fish in the 12- to 18-inch range."

Otter Creek and Piute reservoirs continue to offer good fishing in open water.

Lake Powell largemouth bass have started to feed and can be caught fishing brushy areas. Stripers are being caught by persistent anglers. Action is spotty but improving every day. See wayneswords.com for the latest info.

Sand Hollow and Quail Lake largemouth are now starting to bite. Action should become good there during the next few weeks.

Yuba Reservoir - DWR offers this photo showing a 40-inch northern pike that recently turned up in gill nets.