Variety of Fish at Utah Ice Fishing Waters

You have warm clothes and waterproof boots. Your ice fishing equipment is ready to go. And you have a basic idea of how to locate fish and catch them through the ice.

So what’s standing between you and a great ice fishing experience this winter?

Maybe only one thing: knowing which waters in Utah to fish.

Fortunately, dozens of waters across Utah provide good ice fishing year after year. “In my opinion, Utah has some of the best ice fishing in the country,” says Drew Cushing, warm water sport fisheries coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. Cushing has fished through the ice in states across the country.

“Utah provides a wider variety of fish to catch than any place I know of,” he says. “And many of these opportunities are probably close to your home.”

Cushing gave Utah County as an example. If you live in the county, you can fish for white bass at Utah Lake in the morning, and then turn around and head to Strawberry Reservoir to catch trophy-sized cutthroat trout in the afternoon; all in the same day!

Fishing reports
Visiting the DWR’s fishing report is one way to learn which type of fish are in which waters and where fishing is the best.

DWR biologists, officers and outreach personnel update the report every one to two weeks. You can read the report at www.wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots .

Other Internet sources—such as utahwildlife.net and bigfishtackle.com—are also good places to visit. And don’t forget your local fishing tackle shop or sporting goods store—people who work at these stores are often the first ones to know about good fishing in their areas.

Cushing says the following waters are producing great fishing for the following fish:

Larger Yellow Perch
Fish Lake, and Rockport Reservoir


Smaller, but more abundant Yellow Perch
Pineview, Echo, and Starvation reservoirs --“Catching perch at Pineview can be fairly easy,” Cushing says. “Just locate the spot on the bottom where the perch are, and then put your bait in front of the fish.”


Larger Bluegill
Pelican Lake


Smaller, but more abundant Bluegill
Mantua Reservoir


Largemouth Bass
Pelican Lake, and Mantua Reservoir


Rainbow, Cutthroat, Brown or Tiger Trout
Deer Creek Reservoir

Strawberry Reservoir--“Strawberry provides fantastic fishing for big trout, and lots of them,” Cushing says.

Birch Creek Reservoir--“This water provides good fishing for big tiger trout,” Cushing says.

Lake Trout
Flaming Gorge Reservoir and Fish Lake--“You have a good chance to catch some big fish at these waters,” he says.


Burbot
Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Crappie
Pineview Reservoir--Cushing says crappie can be tricky to catch. “They suspend at various depths,” he says, “so they can be tough to find. “But if you catch a crappie at a certain depth, keep fishing that depth,” he says, “and you should do well. Pineview has a good population of crappie.”


Kokanee Salmon
Causey Reservoir, and Porcupine Reservoir--Cushing says the best ice fishing for kokanee salmon happens at the two waters at the start of the ice fishing season. “When ice first forms on these waters,” he says, “salmon fishing can be fantastic for about two to three weeks.”


White Bass
Utah Lake--This is another water where the best fishing happens early in the ice fishing season. “Fishing for white bass is usually best from the time the ice forms until about mid January,” Cushing says. “The harbors at the lake are the best places to catch them through the ice.”

Some of the best fishing of the year
Cushing says the arrival of winter doesn’t mean fishing is over until the spring. “Winter can be the most fun, the most productive and the least expensive time of the year to fish,” he says. “New lakes, new opportunities and new species of fish are out there for you to enjoy. Get out there, and take advantage of it.”

Fishing Help Needed January 25 at Yuba Reservoir

The DWR has selected the 25th of Jan. to try and collect the remaining 37 fish (perch or pike) from Yuba necessary to complete the disease certification process. After testing, if these fish prove to be disease free we will be allowed to collect Northern Pike eggs later this spring to aid in the statewide Tiger Muskie Program. As you can see below (fishing info from Jeff Rasmussen Yuba Park Manager) fishing may be a little difficult but I figure if we can get enough people on the ice, especially many of you who really know how to fish, we should be able to catch the fish we need.


We will plan on arriving at the Painted Rocks boat ramp (east side of Yuba south of Levan) at 8:30 am on Tuesday Jan. 25th. Please come and go as you would like. I will have a cooler there to collect any fish caught to meet our quota. I will provide drinks, hot choc. and snacks for anyone who comes to help. I recommend people bring whatever fishing equipment you feel is needed (primarily fishing for perch). We will have a power auger provide by the Strawberry biologists for anyone to use but again feel free to bring whatever you would like. We will plan on fishing until 2-3pm or until we collect enough fish whichever comes first but again feel free to come and stay as long as you would like.

Again, we would love to have as many participate as possible so please pass this email/information on to any of your contacts or people you think might have an interest in this fun outing, we would love the help! Please contact me if you have any questions and it would help me get an idea of how many people will be coming. Thanks in advance for you help with the DWR Tiger Muskie Program! Look forward to seeing you on the ice:)

The ice thickness currently sits at 5-7 inches. There have been very few people out fishing. I talked to a guy this morning at Painted Rocks who caught four good sized Perch in 4 hours. Another group yesterday caught 1 perch near Oasis Campground in about 4 hours. There have been a few who have been skunked. If you are going to do it I think the sooner the better. Its usually best the first few weeks we have ice.

Mike Slater
Regional Aquatic Program Manager
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
1115 N. Main
Springville, UT 84663
e-mail: michaelslater@utah.gov
801-491-5651

Cold Ice Means Hot Fishing

Photo Courtesy DWR

Winter is one of the best times to catch fish
Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean it’s time to put your fishing gear away. In fact, if you put your gear away now, you might miss some of the best fishing of the year.

That’s right—those “crazy” people standing on the ice at waters across Utah aren’t so crazy after all. They know a layer of cold ice means hot fishing in the water beneath the ice.

“You can set your watch by it,” says Drew Cushing, warm water sport fisheries coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. “When ice starts to form on a body of water, the fish under the ice get very active. And they’re eager to bite.”

And that eagerness to bite often continues through the winter.


A cheap and fun way to fish
Cushing says fishing on the ice provides anglers with several advantages:

If you’re willing to walk, you can reach any part of the reservoir you want to fish.

Cushing says ice is the great equalizer. “In the winter, you don’t need a boat or a float tube to reach certain parts of a reservoir,” he says. “If you have a rod and a reel, and you’re willing to walk, you can reach any part of the reservoir you want to fish.”

Catching fish in the winter doesn’t require the skill needed to catch fish during other times of the year. If you drop your bait in front of the fish, the fish will probably take it.

You don’t need a lot of expensive equipment. A short rod and reel; some line, hooks and wax worms or meal worms; and a digging bar or an ice auger are all you need to get started.

If you like to fish with lures, you may want to include a few ice flies and small jigs in your tackle box too.

Because you can dig two holes close together, ice fishing is a great way to double your fun by fishing with two poles. Just make sure you have a two-pole permit before you dip that second line in the water.

In addition to catching fish, you and those you’re fishing with can have fun visiting together. Just drill your holes close together and enjoy your visit. “Most ice anglers really look forward to the social side of ice fishing,” Cushing says.


That sounds great. But isn’t it hard to drill a hole through the ice?
One thing that surprises many first-time ice anglers is how easy it is to drill a hole through the ice.

Cushing says if you have a hand auger, you can drill through six to eight inches of ice in about a minute. “It’ll take a little longer if you use a digging bar,” he says, “but not much.”

Digging bars cost between $5 and $10. Manual ice augers cost about $50.


Great! But how can I have fun if I’m cold?
Temperatures can be cold during the ice-fishing season. But that doesn’t mean you have to be cold. You can stay warm simply by dressing for the conditions.

Cushing says one piece of equipment that anglers often forget is a pair of waterproof boots. As the day warms, slush can develop on top of the ice. “Having a pair of waterproof boots will keep your feet warm and dry,” he says.


Sounds good. But how do I know if the ice is safe to walk on?
Most anglers wait until the ice is at least 4 inches thick before walking on it.

Ice is usually thinnest near the shore. Before you walk out, Cushing says you should stay close to shore and dig or drill a test hole to see how thick the ice is. You may also want to dig or drill some additional holes as you walk out.

If you find that the ice in your test holes is at least four inches thick, you can be almost certain that the ice farther out is at least four inches thick, or thicker.

Two ice-related items that you may want to consider buying are ice cleats and ice spikes.

You can strap the ice cleats to the bottom of your boots. The cleats will give you better traction as you walk on the ice.

Ice spikes are two short pieces of metal. They’re often attached by a short cord that you can drape around the neck.

If you fall through the ice, you can pull yourself out by jabbing the spikes into the top of the ice near the edge of the hole.

Ice Fishing: Basic Equipment Equals Fish and Fun

Photo courtesy DWR

Catching fish through the ice doesn’t require a lot of fancy equipment. A short fishing rod and reel, a package of worms and a few hooks are about all you need.

In fact, if you just want to give ice fishing a try, you don’t even need an ice auger.

Drew Cushing, warm water sport fisheries coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says you’ll usually find plenty of predrilled holes on the ice fishing waters you visit. “If anglers drilled the holes just a day or two before,” he says, “they’ll have only an inch or two of ice in them. Just break that thin ice and you’re in business.”

If you want to drill your own holes, though, you’ll need an ice auger or a digging bar. A way to create a hole—and the most basic fishing equipment you can imagine—are all you need to catch lots of fish and have lots of fun.

Simple and affordable
In addition to warm clothes and waterproof boots, Cushing says the following gear is all you need to catch fish through the ice in the winter:

A short fishing rod and a small reel.
Fishing line.
A package of wax worms or meal worms, and some small hooks.

“Don’t use nightcrawlers,” Cushing says. “In the winter, use wax worms or meal worms. You can catch any species of fish through the ice using these worms. They’re the best baits to use in the winter.”

Cushing says wax worms and meal worms are easy to keep alive in the winter, and they’ll last longer on your hook.

If you like to fish with lures, buy some small ice flies or small jigs. Cushing says these flies and jigs come in a variety of colors.

“Make sure you buy a variety of colors,” Cushing says. “That way, you’ll have the color the fish want on any given day.”

A digging bar or an ice auger. A manual ice auger (one you turn by hand) costs about $50. You can pick up a digging bar for as little as $5 to $10.

Cushing says some anglers use gas-powered augers. But he says a gas-powered auger usually isn’t needed.

“If you have a hand auger,” he says, “you can drill through six to eight inches of ice in about a minute. Unless you’re trying to drill through two feet of ice, a gas-powered auger usually isn’t needed.”

Because fish bite softly in the winter, you may also want to buy attachments that will help you detect the subtle bites of the fish. Spring bobbers, tip-ups and various floats are among the items that will help you know you have a fish on the end of your line.

Videos and audio interview
More ice fishing basics are available in two videos produced by the DWR and in the first part of an audio interview Cushing recently did.

You can see the videos at www.youtube.com/UDWR . The audio interview is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/multimedia/podcasts.html .

Utah's Central Region Fishing Forecast

Photo Courtesy Big Fish Tackle

BURRASTON PONDS: (January 14) Most anglers report fair success with traditional baits and lures.

CANYON VIEW PARK POND: (January 14) Wait until spring to fish here.

DEER CREEK RESERVOIR: (January 14) I saw a few ice anglers this afternoon (Jan. 14 at 4 p.m.), but I also saw water along the edges in some areas. The ice was thin in other locations, so please use caution if you venture out. Ice anglers have reported fair success when using jigs tipped with a worm or wax worm. PowerBait is popular as well. Anglers have caught only an occasional perch. Most of their fish have been 12- to 15-inch rainbow trout.

GRANTSVILLE RESERVOIR: (January 14) The most recent report indicated about five inches of ice, but ice can change quickly. Anglers have had fair success with bait-tipped jigs, PowerBait and worms.

HIGHLAND GLEN PARK: (January 14) There were no reports from anglers this week. Stay off any ice.

JORDANELLE RESERVOIR: (January 14) Anglers report about seven to eight inches of ice on the Rock Cliff arm and thin ice near the Hailstone area. Please check ice thickness carefully before venturing out. Fishing is slow to fair.

KIDNEY POND: (January 14) The pond is closed until spring.

MIDAS POND: (January 14) The pond is closed until spring.

MILL HOLLOW RESERVOIR: (January 14) Hwy. 35 may be closed or unplowed this year, according to media reports. If you can access the reservoir, please use caution and check the ice. There were no reports from anglers this week.

PAYSON LAKE: (January 14) The gate to the canyon is closed for the season.

PROVO RIVER, LOWER: (January 14) Midge imitations are still working. Sow bugs should also be effective this time of year.

PROVO RIVER, MIDDLE: (January 14) Midges, sow bugs and small, dark nymphs are working well. There are special regulations on much of the Provo River — please read the Utah Fishing Guidebook.

SALEM POND: (January 14) Anglers report fair success with traditional baits.

SETTLEMENT CANYON RESERVOIR: (January 14) One angler reports six to seven inches of ice and good success by jigging. Please check the ice before venturing out — conditions can change quickly.

SPANISH OAKS RESERVOIR: (January 14) The gate to the reservoir is closed for the season.

SPRING LAKE: (January 14) Officer Bagley saw some ice anglers at the lake last week, but we haven't received any recent reports. Please send a report if decide to fish at the lake. Be very careful if you're venturing onto the ice.

STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR: (January 14) Anglers Alan and Justin report good fishing success this morning (Jan. 14) and no real problems with the ice. (However, always check the ice before venturing out.) Bait-tipped jigs work well. If fishing is slow, try a new spot. The main regulations for Strawberry are as follows: The limit is four trout or kokanee salmon in the aggregate. No more than two may be cutthroat trout under 15 inches, and no more than one may be a cutthroat trout over 22 inches. All cutthroat trout from 15 to 22 inches must be immediately released. Trout or salmon may not be filleted, and the heads or tails may not be removed in the field or in transit. Go to wildlife.utah.gov/strawberry/pdf/strawberry_brochure.pdf to see photos and illustrations of the fish at Strawberry. These will help you identify the different fish species.

TIBBLE FORK RESERVOIR: (January 14) Stay off the ice. The brown trout spawn has ended, and fishing success has slowed.

UTAH LAKE: (January 14) Anglers report slow to fair success over the last few days. There are some open water patches, especially close to the shoreline. Please use caution — someone fell through the ice last week. Small action lures tipped with bait are the most effective way to fish for white bass.

VERNON RESERVOIR: (January 14) Anglers are ice fishing and report about seven to eight inches of ice. The road to the reservoir is snowy and slippery.

VIVIAN PARK POND: (January 14) Stay off the ice on this small pond. There weren't any reports from anglers this week.

WILLOW POND: (January 14) There weren't any reports from anglers this week. Officer Roach recently reported that most of the urban ponds have ice on them after the recent cold spell. Willow and Millrace had some open water, but he didn't see anyone fishing. Be cautious and don't venture onto the ice.

YUBA RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (January 14) Most anglers report slow success, but some are catching decent numbers of perch. Location is important. Although the reservoir is frozen, ice conditions fluctuate. Use caution when venturing onto the ice and drill several test holes along the way to verify thickness. Never go onto the ice alone. Visit stateparks.utah.gov/conditions and find updated current conditions for the park you want to visit.