Outdoors Report - By Dave Webb
Fishbytes is a weekly report provided by redrockadventure.com. It is posted on our website and sent as an email newsletter (subscribe or unsubscribe). Please forward it to others you think may be interested. View archived past reports.
Fishing Overview
It looks like a small storm will hit us Saturday. It could bring enough wind to push all the ice off the lake. But it will still be a week or more before walleye start to get active.
Overall, the thaw is coming slower than expected and there is still thick ice on many waters. Expect Deer Creek, Jordanelle, Yuba, Otter Creek and similar reservoirs to open up later this month.
Lake Powell fishing is starting to pick up now, and should become excellent in mid-April. Wayne Gustaveson has started posting his excellent weekly reports on this website. Here's a highlight from his latest: "Largemouth bass are the first fish to respond in the spring. They will seek warmer water, which is often provided by vertical cliffs with southern sun exposure. The rock picks up solar heat and transmits that into water of calm coves. Check for temperature spikes and fish around brush in the warmest water found. Bass like spinner baits that can probe the brush without sticking. When the reaction bite stops, pull out the plastic grubs and drag them slowly along the bottom at 15-25 feet."
Best bets for the next week: Ice fishing is still very good at Fish Lake. It is also good at Strawberry and Scofield, if you get away from the easy access spots. I'll probably fly fish the Provo, trying streamers and small nymphs. The Weber and Ogden should also be good now.
DWR is still saying Utah Lake has hot fishing. They need to update that to say the lake is in transition. Their other recommendations still hold.
- Weber River for trout and whitefish
- Strawberry Reservoir for trout
- Yuba Reservoir for perch
Interesting Post By Anglers
- Fish Lake yields a big lake trout- Fish Lake great for splake, bows, perch
- Yuba, Recapture pike photos
- Bear Lake ice fishing good for whitefish, spotty for cutts
- Strawberry still has good ice fishing
- Scofield is good for tiger trout, cutts, bows
- Echo shoreline covered by litter as snow pulls back
- Ogden River trout are hitting Rapalas
- Weber trout are taking flies, lures
- Sportsmans Expo Campfire/Fishing Theater Topics
Recent News Articles
DWR
- Driving in deer country—five tips to keep you safeDeseret Morning News
- High flow: Glen Canyon Dam water release to move sediment downstream
- River is 'set free' — Water blasts out of Glen Canyon Dam
- Conservation group critical of Glen Canyon Dam experiment
- Skinny skiing: Cross country experiencing growth in popularity
- Week 10: Brighton Ski Resort: Varied runs are a gold mine for skiers, boarders
- Ray Grass: Lake Powell continues to defy the predictions
- Snowbasin ski area to inaugurate XTerra Winter World Championship
- 'Bait Shop' now in production
- Outdoor notes
- U.S. House OKs bill benefiting club's rifle range
- Outdoor activities becoming the path less traveled, study finds
- Reward offered for info on falcon shooting
- No rabies in coyote
- New travel Web site for boomers: Boomeropia
- Bird reserve in Colombia open to tourists
Salt Lake Tribune
- Kennecott may give up wetlands
- Utah's national parks may soon allow firearms
- Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance: House demands group's files
- BLM seeks public nominations for five RAC positions
- Raising hackles: Expert fly-tier began as a chicken farmer
- Fillmore gears up for National ATV Jamboree
- Reel Stories applications due Saturday
- Bird sighting
BMX racing: Utah family has spirit of 'Yes, wee can' (with video)
- Mountain-bike stage race will roll into Brian Head
- Outdoor notebook: Experience Slickrock Trail on one wheel (with video)
- Hook shot
- This contest is for the birds
- Outdoor bookshelf
- Where is it
- Ski of the week: Taking in Wolf Mountain
- Recreation roundup
- The outsider: Sportsmen's Expo coming; free climbing at REI
- Tight lines: Contest lures young anglers to share their thoughts on future of fishing
- Culture Vulture: 'Skoarding,' anyone? Ski Utah offers prize for best new word
- Lake Powell houseboat deal
- Carbon County hosts outdoor workshops
- Moab tailings might be trucked out
- Raising hackles: Expert fly-tier began as a chicken farmer
KUTV
- Preview of the International Sportsman's Expo
- Roughin' It On The Snake River
- Fishing For Sturgeon
- Travel Guide: Logan Canyon Beaver Creek Trail
Daily Herald
- Big-game hunters can improve their odds by applying elsewhere
Regional
- Seven flies for spring
- ‘Fly Fishing Colorado’ DVD released by CDOW
- Grand Canyon Might Be Older Than Thought
- Grand Canyon is 17 million years old
- Student Captures Image Of Rare Wolverine In California While Trying To Photograph Birds
- IDFG seeks salmon season comments
- Spring turkey season will be hot
- Judge holds feds to grouse deal
- Grouse reconsidered for endangered species list
- Lands are not only for sheep
- Thriving elk season expanded
- Game and Fish raises black bear quotas
- Call of the Wild---But Maybe Not for Much Longer
- Chill out about the wolves
- State advises anglers on mercury levels in fish
What's New
Save up to 50% at REI-Outlet! Always Cool! Always on Sale!
Lake Powell
Houseboat Promotion
At Lake Powell, the Castle Rock Cutoff is expected to be usable sometime in June, as runoff causes the lake to rise. That projection has resulted in an interesting houseboat promotion, according to this article in the SL Trib.
The Cut is a popular shortcut between Wahweap and destinations uplake. Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas is offering a "Cut Open Guarantee" from June 15 to Oct. 31. If the Castle Rock Cut does not open, houseboaters will get a free day and $200 fuel credit.
New articles on our website:
- Fishing St George-Area Small Streams
- Sand Hollow and Snow Canyon
- Another look at the Johnson Farm Dinosaur Trackway
Upcoming Events
- Canyonlands Half Marathon, March 8, Moab. The USATF sanctioned race starts approximately 11 miles up scenic Hwy. 128 and parallels the Colorado River into Moab. The course continues on Hwy. 191 and through the streets of Moab to City Park and the finish line. The Five Mile Run starts approximately 3 miles up Hwy. 128 and follows the same course as the half marathon. 435-259-4525.- International Sportsmen's Expo, March 13-16, South Towne Expo Center. The Salt Lake City ISE combines fishing, fly fishing, hunting and travel shows, all under one roof.
- Easter Jeep Safari, March 15-23. Make your lodging reservations early! The Safari consists of trail rides departing from Moab throughout the week. The Easter Jeep Safari is, by far, the largest event of the year for Moab. If you will be visiting during this time period make your lodging reservations as soon as possible.
See our full events report