Fishbytes is a weekly outdoors 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.
May 22, 2008
May 22, 2008
Fishing Overview
Cicada are starting to appear on the Green River - a much-anticipated even heralding great fishing opportunities. Cicada numbers are low right now but fish are already starting to key on them. Ants are also drawing attention. These big bugs are relatively easy to fish and trout often hit them aggressively. (Read our detailed articles about fishing cicadas.)Green River flows are still low at this writing, but are expected to rise dramatically during the next few days. Rapidly rising flows will displace fish and fishermen, but steady action will return as flows stabilize at the higher level. Wade-fishermen need to use caution.
Strawberry action is spotty. I fished it from a boat on 5-17 and had to work to find the fish. Everyone we talked to said action was on the slow side. However, I've heard reports of people having very productive days. Fishing should become more consistent as the water warms. Every fish we caught hit within 3 feet of shore. People trolling in deep water were not finding fish. Shore fishermen often cast right over the active fish as they try to reach deep water. (See my trip report.)
Steve Schmidt offers these excellent tips on fly fishing strawberry.
Provo River is very high and fishing is difficult.
Weber River offers good fishing between Rockport and Echo. Below Echo the river is high and muddy.
Lake Powell is in transition, as the lake level rises and the water warms. Smallmouth that were shallow are now deep, even though they haven't moved. Striped bass may spawn this week and that usually slows the bite temporarily. There are huge numbers of fish in the lake - always fish to be caught - but you may have to search to find them. Read the current report on wayneswords.com.
Memorial Day Weekend - Good bets for fishing include Scofield, Electric Lake, Lake Powell, Strawberry, Green River, Weber River
- Utah Lake for catfish, white bass
- Weber River for trout and whitefish
- Yuba Reservoir for perch
- Lake Powell for bass and striped bass
Interesting Post By Anglers
- Willard Bay is hot for wipers- Flaming Gorge is good for kokanee and rainbows
- Flaming Gorge, more about good kokanee fishing
- Electric Lake & Huntington offer fast open-water fishing
- Joes Valley & Electric Lake have good fishing
- Tips on finding deep stripers at Lake Powell
- Sharing information about fish locations at Lake Powell
- Utah Lake catfish are biting
- Utah Lake is good for white bass
- Newton tiger muskie are biting
- Bear Lake has big cutts but you've got to work for them
- East Canyon is good for smallmouth
- Scofield is good early in the day
News Articles
DWR- Fish for Free on June 7
- Apply for Antlerless Big Game Permits - Applications available starting June 2
- Tiger Muskie Challenge – Finding Fish that are Free of Disease
- Work to Save Endangered Fish Receives National Attention
KUTV
- Iced Lakes Make Hungry Fish
- Brigham Bowman Archery Range
- Fishing At Salem Pond
- Travel Guide - Stansbury Island
Salt Lake Tribune
- Report: Minn. professor missing in Canyonlands left suicide note
- Fishing: Boaters urged to stop 'largest single threat to fisheries'
- Fishing: DWR releases annual Community Fisheries brochure
- Fishing: CAST for Kids
- Fishing report: Gorging at the lake
- Fishing: Catching burbot
- Tight lines: Eating ugly burbot: Close your eyes and say 'mmmm'
- Fishing: State seeks public opinion on possible rule changes
- Fishing notebook: Midway Hatchery is back, better than ever, officials say
- Tight lines: I can't wait to catch and release that charity prize
- Wharton: Willow Pond shows what a fishery adds to a community
- The outsider: Fishing fundamentals; fishing as a family
- Hook shot
- Where is it?
- Bird sighting
- Hike of the Week: Lava Flow Overlook and Trail/Butterfly Trail
- Outdoor notes: Lumberjack competition comes to Thanksgiving Point
- Feds to test free shuttle to Grand Canyon's South Rim
- Work planned to re-open center at Dinosaur National Monument in Vernal
- Kayak guide gives last tour
- Will coal plants cloud Capitol Reef and Zion park vistas?
- Officials expand boating program to prevent invasive mussels at Lake Powell
- Motorcycle 'resort' built of Geneva Steel
Deseret Morning News
- Time to get away: A look at Utah attractions county-by-county
- Ray Grass: There's no reason to be bored in Utah
- Outdoor notes
- Gas over $3.83 as early holiday travelers hit road
- Minnesota professor missing in Canyonlands National Park
- Groups weigh in on new lake selenium standard
- BLM planning controlled burns
- Historic sites at risk, group says
- Summer fun — Outdoor fun
- Gun permits shoot up
- Biker haven revs up
Daily Herald
- Allphin: I missed ice-off on Strawberry
Regional
- Parks off limits, underwater for Memorial Day
- All Yellowstone roads will be open Memorial Day weekend
- Unusual Number of Dead Perch in Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir
- Hammering Out The Wolf Hunting Season
- Reservoir has it all: Spots around Moses Lake offer a variety of fish
- Outdoors: Crawfish aplenty in northern Idaho
- Perch crowding trout from Eastern Oregon reservoir
- Fifth Case of Plague Confirmed in Wyoming Mountain Lions
- New Zealand Mud Snails Invade More Rivers
- Upgrade lets fish get past Colorado dam
- Recovery plan needed for endangered jaguar
- Group plans fifth annual prairie dog killing contest
- Officials crack down on rowdy Tahoe bears
- Nevada tribe assumes leadership role in managing water for fish
What's New
Free Fishing Day, June 7. This is a day designated by the DWR when residents and non-residents can fish in the waters of Utah without having to purchase a license.
Antlerless Big Game Hunt applications will be available starting June 2
Drive the La Sal Mountain Loop Road - Read our new article on this scenic byway above the red rock desert.
Moab Arts Festival, May 24-25. Over 100 artists with their original creations to sell and display. Live Music Friday & Saturday. FREE Admission. Food, Kids Activities.
Zion Narrows Service Project, May 31, 8:30 am-4 pm. Enjoy service, adventure, and learning! This 7-mile interpretive hike in the Zion Narrows is an exciting opportunity to experience this dramatic area with a naturalist who will discuss its geology, plants and animals. Much of the walk takes places in the Virgin River and participants should be prepared to get wet and to walk on river rocks using a walking stick. Learn about the power of flash floods to shape the landscape, see hanging gardens, and be awed by the massive vertical slabs of Navajo sandstone that form the canyon. The group will hike to the confluence of Orderville Canyon. During the return trip, participants will perform a brief clean-up in the Narrows to help keep this area primitive. Limited to 11 participants, 16 years and up. Fee $55. Temple of Sianawava shuttle stop in Zion Canyon. More info: 435-772-3262 or 800-635-3959
1st Annual Garfield County Equestrian Trail Ride, May 31. Come join a fun trail riding experience for the whole family. Registration fee is $10 per person or $25 per family. Stalls are available as well as motel and restaurants nearby. We will have more information coming. Triple C Arena, 950 North 50 East, Panguitch, North of town off Hwy 89 More info: Tony Beckstead 435-676-8949
See our events calendar