Utah offers over a 1000 fishable lakes and streams as well as blue ribbon fisheries such as the Green River. Utah fishing is open year around. Species range from the popular rainbow and cutthroat to large mackinaw and Brown trout to striped bass, walleye, bluegill, whitefish, the Bonneville cisco and many others.
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Kayak Fishing Vernon Reservoir - Emergency Fishing Limit Increase
In this video, I head to Vernon Reservoir for some Kayak Fishing. The plan for this trip is to also catch and keep some fish, before they die off, due to low water levels. The Utah DWR has increased the fish limit from 4 to 8, to allow anglers to harvest more fish out of Vernon before it's too late. This emergency fishing regulation change, will remain in effect until September 30, 2022.
Kayak Fishing, Deer Creek - First Trip of the Season
In this video, I take the kayak out for the first trip of the season. I decided on Deer Creek Reservoir and launched the kayak in Wallburgs Bay. The fishing started out good, as I landed one very nice rainbow trout while trolling a shad color Rapala (Affiliate Link). Once the famous Deer Creek winds started blowing, I headed for cover, and managed to land one smallmouth bass on a Perch color Rapala (Affiliate link).
Lake Powell Water Levels and the Impact on Fishing
There’s no doubt that the water level at Lake Powell has dropped precipitously in recent years. The majority of the boat ramps are now unusable, and officials are scrambling to keep docks and other facilities functioning in the ever-changing situation. Of course, the biggest issues at Powell transcend recreational access. But in the midst of this dilemma comes some good news: The fishing is still incredible.
Flaming Gorge Lake Trout Fishing
World-class lake trout are lurking in waters right here in Utah, reaching sizes upwards of 50 pounds. Surprisingly, it’s not all that difficult to catch a glimpse of one of these whoppers up close. Beautiful Flaming Gorge Reservoir, which straddles southwest Wyoming and a portion of northeastern Utah, covers 40,000 acres, making it a haven for several species, including lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, smallmouth bass, and more.
Echo Ice 2022
In this video, I spend the second ice fishing trip of 2022 on Echo Reservoir. Due to the drought conditions this reservoir has suffered, I wasn't sure if echo was the right choice. After finding the depth I wanted to target, the reservoir didn't disappoint. I hooked into several nice rainbows and had consistent action most of the day. The bait of choice was a pink ratfinkee tipped with wax worms. I fished in 23 feet of water and all rainbows were caught 5 to 7 feet below the ice.
First Ice 2022 - Tibble Fork Reservoir
In this video, I spend the first ice fishing trip of 2022 the season on Tibble Fork Reservoir. The ice was 10 plus inches thick, with no slush and good edges. I managed to land a few nice little trout using a green nuclear ant tip with wax worms. I fished in 17 feet of water and the trout were caught anywhere from 5 feet to 12 feet below the ice.
6 Ice Fishing Safety Tips
The first snow has fallen and the nightly temperatures have dipped below freezing, and Utah’s Ice Fishing Season is just around the corner. If you’re anything like me the anticipation of the first fishable ice starts in late November. This is the time to dust off the ice fishing gear, sharpen the auger blades, and wait for the opportunity to fish the first ice.
Fall Kayak Fishing, Deer Creek Reservoir
Spent the day fall kayak fishing, Deer Creek Reservoir around the Wallsburg area of the reservoir. The day started out a little rough due to the water levels, however, once I got the kayak launched the fishing was fast and fun. The lures of choice on this trip were a Brown Trout Rapala, Rainbow Trout Rapala, and a Jakes.
Trial Lake Fishing Tips
There are numerous lakes within close proximity to the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway in the Uinta Mountains. The legendary route originates near Kamas, and eventually tops out at 10,687 feet in elevation at the Bald Mountain Pass. One of the most popular destinations on the highway is Trial Lake. Located near other bodies of water such as Mirror Lake, Wall Lake, and Washington Lake, it boasts some of the best fishing in the area.
Payson Lakes Utah
11 miles up Payson Canyon well known as the Mount Nebo Scenic Loop, you will come to Payson Lakes. These lakes offer an abundance of outdoor activities, including fishing, swimming, picnicking, camping, wildlife viewing and more. There are three lakes, McClelland Lake, Box Lake and Big East Lake. McClelland Lake and Box Lake are used more for the fishing opportunities. I personally love to fish Box Lake which is in the middle of the three. I have fished this lake for years and can't remember even one trip that I did not catch at least one fish. The fishing action is usually fast, so this is a great place to take the kids.
Kayak Fishing Payson Lakes
For the first kayaking trip of the season, Ford and I decided to head up to Payson Lakes. Upon arrival, the water was extremely low in all three lakes. The top lake, McClelland Lake had the most water and look more promising. After launch, it didn't take long to land the first fish with many more to come throughout the day. The Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout were hitting on a small black and yellow gold bladed Panther Martin.
Salem Pond
Salem Pond falls under the community pond fishing regulations of Utah. The daily limit is 2 fish. You are likely to catch rainbow trout, channel catfish, largemouth bass and bluegill. While not mandatory, anglers are encouraged to release all largemouth bass. Salem Pond has a fishing pier and lots of benches and tables as well as restrooms and parking with Handicap access.
Tibble Fork Reservoir
Prior to 2016 Tibble Fork Reservoir was a popular location mostly for fishing and canoeing. Construction on the Tibble Fork dam changed several features of the lake, including increasing the water's surface area from 9.6 to 21.6 acres. Also added was a large dock, swim beach with sand, and a larger parking area.
First Ice 2020/21 Scofield Reservoir
First ice of the 2020/21 season. In this video I spend the day ice fishing Scofield Reservoir. The ice was 4 ½ to 5 inches thick in the location that I fished. Not many anglers ventured too far from shore on this trip. The water depth at my location was 15 feet and all the fish caught were just below the ice to 8 feet down. I used a glow in the dark white shrimpo and green nuclear ant tipped with night crawlers. This was the first trip of the season and I’m super excited for the season to begin. Stay tuned for more ice fishing Utah.
Ice Fishing Vernon Reservoir
While packing up camp we decided to ice fish Vernon Reservoir one more time, before heading home. The fishing was so fast and fun the day before, we just couldn’t resist the opportunity to hook into a few more Tiger Trout. We fished in 20 to 21 feet of water, just off the dam. The fish were around 15 to 18 feet under the ice and were hitting white glow Gizzy Bugs, tipped with wax and meal worms.
Big Perch Rockport Reservoir 2021
In this video, I spend the morning ice fishing Rockport Reservoir. I fished in 29 feet of water and landed several beautiful Perch just off the bottom. Most of the Perch were caught on a Kastmaster and Green Nuclear Ant set up. I also landed a few using just the Green Nuclear Ant.
Echo Perch 2020
Perch fishing Echo Reservoir 2020. Spent the day ice fishing echo and hooked into several healthy perch. I fished in 48 feet of water and caught most perch on a green and white nuclear ant tipped with wax worms. Fished in the upper water column for trout with no success. The ice is 4 ½ inches thick and the edges were solid by the boat ramp, on this trip.