Southern Utah Fishing Report

Photo Courtesy Big Fish Tackle

BAKER RESERVOIR: (January 07) You'll find thin ice with some open water near the inlet. The ice often thaws, and fishing can be productive for rainbows and a few browns.

BARKER RESERVOIRS (NORTH CREEK LAKES): (January 21) All of the lakes, except for Barker and Lower Barker reservoirs, are closed to fishing until April. Access is limited by snow, so there is very little pressure.

BEAVER MOUNTAIN LAKES: (January 21) Most lakes are accessible by snowmobile. Fishing pressure is light throughout the winter, with Little Reservoir and Kents Lake receiving the most pressure.

BEAVER RIVER, LOWER: (January 21) Ice is covering much of the stream, which is making fishing difficult.

BEAVER RIVER, UPPER: (January 21) Anchor ice is making fishing difficult.

BOULDER MOUNTAIN: (January 21) Most of the Boulder Mountain lakes are closed to fishing until April 17. Check the Utah Fishing Guidebook to see which lakes are open year-round. All of the lakes are now iced over and access is limited to snowmobile. Anglers report good fishing at Oak Creek Reservoir.

CLEAR CREEK: (January 21) Wild rainbow and brown trout are abundant. Although trout get sluggish during the winter, stream fishing can be very productive during the colder months. Successful winter tackle includes nymphs, spinners and natural baits.

CORN CREEK: (January 21) Wild brown trout are abundant. Although trout get sluggish during the winter, stream fishing can be very productive during the colder months. Successful winter tackle includes nymphs, spinners and natural baits.

DUCK CREEK POND / ASPEN MIRROR LAKE: (January 07) Closed January 1 to April 17.

EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER IN KINGSTON CANYON: (January 21) Much of the river is iced-over, which is making fishing difficult.

EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER, BLACK CANYON: (January 21) The river in Black Canyon generally does not freeze. Although trout get sluggish during the winter, stream fishing can be very productive throughout the colder months. Successful winter tackle includes nymphs, spinners and streamers.

ENTERPRISE RESERVOIR, UPPER: (January 21) Access is good, but the parking area is not plowed. The ice is 6 to eight inches thick. The water level is low and a little murky. Anglers report good success for small rainbows with jigs and ice flies tipped with mealworms or PowerBait.

FISH LAKE: (January 21) The ice is 12 inches thick. Access is good for snowmobiles and ATVs at the marinas. There is heavy fishing pressure on the weekends. Fishing is not as hot as it was two weeks ago, but there is still good fishing for splake, perch and rainbows. Anglers are catching a lot of small trout and perch in 15 to 20 feet of water. Larger splake have moved to 30 feet, so try fishing on the bottom or suspended 20 to 30 feet down over deeper water. You'll find the best fishing in areas that have received less pressure. For rainbows or perch, try light-colored jigs or spoons tipped with mealworms, wax worms, or nightcrawlers. For splake, tip your jigs with perch meat. (Perch will also hit perch meat). If you're fishing for splake, you could catch a few small lake trout. For large lake trout, fish in deeper water and pair larger jigs and bait with a lot of patience.

FORSYTH RESERVOIR: (January 21) Fishing is generally slow, with the best success early in the morning. White jigs tipped with chub, sucker, or minnows can produce a few nice splake.

FREMONT RIVER: (January 21) The road from Mill Meadow to Fish Lake is not plowed. Winter fishing is fair to good in the Bicknell Bottoms.

KOLOB RESERVOIR: (January 21) Access is limited to snowmobile. There is little ice fishing pressure because of the poor access. Ice fishing is good, if you can get to the reservoir

LOWER BOWNS RESERVOIR: (January 21) Access is limited to snowmobile or possibly ATV.

MAMMOTH CREEK: (January 21) Unlike other streams in the area, Mammoth Creek generally doesn't ice over. Although trout get sluggish during the winter, stream fishing can be very productive throughout the colder months. Successful winter tackle includes nymphs, spinners and streamers.

MILL MEADOW RESERVOIR: (January 21) Perch fishing is good to excellent. Try small jigs tipped with night crawlers, mealworms, or perch meat. Most of the perch are pretty small, but anglers are catching enough perch to fill a limit of fish over eight inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest perch in order to help the population stay in balance with available food. Remember that the perch limit has been increased to 50. Anglers are also catching a few brown trout and splake.

MINERSVILLE RESERVOIR: (January 21) The ice is about 10 to 12 inches thick, however, the water level is rising so the edges are slushy. Fishing is generally slow to fair, with most anglers catching 10- to 12-inch rainbows. Although anglers are catching a few larger fish, no one has reported catching a fish over 22 inches. Most anglers are using jigs. Remember that the use or possession of bait, including scented lures, is prohibited at Minersville Reservoir.

NAVAJO LAKE: (January 21) There is plenty of ice. Access is limited to snowmobiles. Anglers report good fishing for splake. Try light-colored jigs or flashy spoons tipped with cutbait (like chub or sucker) or half a minnow.

NEWCASTLE RESERVOIR: (January 21) Access is good, the ice is safe and there is little pressure. Anglers report fair fishing for small rainbows.

OTTER CREEK RESERVOIR STATE PARK: (January 21) The ice is 13 to 15 inches thick with some soft edges because of the recent warm weather. Fishing is generally spotty. Anglers are catching decent-sized, fat and healthy fish. Try fishing with nightcrawlers in a depth of 5 to 10 feet.

PANGUITCH LAKE: (January 21) There is a lot of pressure on the weekends. Fishing ranges from slow to good. Anglers that can get away from the crowds are having the best success. Try fishing during the week. The best fishing is usually first thing in the morning. Rainbows will generally hit small jigs and ice flies tipped with mealworms, wax worms, nightcrawlers or PowerBait. For cutthroat, try tipping larger jigs or spoons with minnows or cutbait. Panguitch Lake has special regulations. Read the Utah Fishing Guidebook for more information.

PARAGONAH RESERVOIR: (January 21) Some trucks make it to the lake during the winter, but most get stuck along the way. Use a snowmobile, or an ATV if the snow isn't too deep. The ice fishing is good, if you can get there.

PINE LAKE: (January 21) The lake should have safe ice, but access is limited by snow. The ice fishing is good, if you can get there.

QUAIL LAKE: (January 21) The water temperature is in the low- to mid-40s. Trout fishing has slowed down. Bass fishing usually slows down during the colder months, though you can still catch fish. Make sure you fish during the warmest part of the day. A very slow retrieve is key. Dead-sticking is often the best technique. Many bass anglers prefer drop-shot rigs in the winter. Don't be afraid to use larger plastics or even hardware.

SAND HOLLOW RESERVOIR: (January 21) Water temperature is in the low- to mid-40s. Bass fishing slows down during the colder months, although you can still catch fish. Make sure you fish during the warmest part of the day. A very slow retrieve is key. Dead-sticking is often the best technique. Many bass anglers prefer drop-shot rigs in the winter. Don't be afraid to use larger plastics or even hardware.

SEVIER RIVER IN MARYSVALE CANYON: (January 21) Much of the river is iced-over, which is making fishing difficult.

THOUSAND LAKE MOUNTAIN: (January 21) Access is limited; the best access is from I-70. Ice fishing can be good to excellent in Solomon Basin.

WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMUNITY FISHERIES: (January 21) Fishing is fair to good. Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, all Utah community fisheries have a new limit of 2 fish in any combination of species. (For example: two trout, or one trout and 1 bluegill, or 2 bluegill, etc.) The Division stocks rainbow trout every three weeks in all of the ponds.

WIDE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: (December 23) The reservoir has been drained so that the dam can be rebuilt. It will be filled again in 2011.

YANKEE MEADOW RESERVOIR: (January 21) Access is limited to snowmobile. A few trucks have gotten stuck trying to get to the lake. Ice fishing is good, if you can get there.