Southeastern Region Fishing Report

Electric Lake Photo by Randall Stilson

ABAJO MOUNTAINS: (March 30) Sergeant J. Shirley reports that Recapture Reservoir, Blanding #3 and #4 and Lloyds Lake were frozen during the weekend of March 27–28. However, the shoreline ice may recede enough for bank fishing during the upcoming week.

GIGLIOTTI POND: (April 08) Last week, this Helper area pond was stocked with retired brood trout from the Egan Hatchery. The trout averaged about a pound in size, although some two-pound fish were planted. These large rainbows were used at the hatchery for spawning purposes. Aquatics Program Manager Paul Birdsey described fishing as fair over the weekend. He recommends baits or spinners, such as Kastmasters. At Gigliotti Pond, the limit is two fish.

HUNTINGTON GAME FARM POND: (April 08) By mid-April, this pond at the DWR's Huntington Game Bird Farm will be stocked with 1,000 catchable-sized (8–10 inches) rainbow trout. You should find some good fishing after the pond is stocked.

HUNTINGTON NORTH RESERVOIR: (April 08) State Park Manager Dan Richards reports that the reservoir is now ice-free. Aquatics Program Manager Paul Birdsey encourages anglers to fish along the rocky face of the dam when the water temperature reaches 50 degrees or higher. At that time, largemouth bass will become active and may be taken on plastic baits. On April 3, Aquatics Technician Ryan Leonard fished with spinners, but he couldn't get a trout to bite. He concluded that the water was too cold.

HUNTINGTON RESERVOIR: (April 08) Lieutenant Carl Gramlich attempted to fish last weekend and found the ice too thick to drill.

JOES VALLEY RESERVOIR: (April 08) Fishing at Seely Creek Cove is extremely hazardous. Drowning is an imminent danger. Ice conditions elsewhere are unknown. Please observe ice-fishing safety precautions. At last report, anglers had success using a gold flasher above a chartreuse jighead tipped with chub meat. The limit at Joes Valley Reservoir is four trout. Only one may be over 18 inches.

LA SAL MOUNTAINS: (April 08) On April 4, Conservation Officer T.J. Robertson checked anglers at Kens Lake. Fishing was slow, despite the recent stocking of trout.

MILLSITE RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (April 08) The ice is weak, unstable and breaking up. The ice-fishing season is over. On March 29, State Park Manager Dan Richards reported open water around the inlet. The shoreline should thaw quickly. As the shoreline opens, you'll find good bank fishing.

SCOFIELD RESERVOIR: (April 08) The ice thickness varies from 18–24 inches, depending on your location. Due to recent cold weather, there hasn't been slush on the surface, but that could change quickly. Fishing has been good for smaller trout (around 12 inches), with a few ranging up to 18 inches. The most popular rig continues to be a jighead tipped with chub meat or a nightcrawler. Some anglers find improved success by placing an attractor 12–18 inches above the jig. Spoons and Kastmasters have been the most popular lures. Scofield has special regulations. The limit is a combined total of four fish. No more than two may be cutthroat or tiger trout under 15 inches, and no more than one may be a cutthroat or tiger trout over 22 inches. All cutthroat and tiger trout from 15–22 inches must be immediately released. Trout may not be filleted and the heads or tails removed in the field or in transit. Any trout with cutthroat markings is considered to be a cutthroat.