Biologists recommend reduced Bass Limits for 2011

Photo by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Many of Utah’s anglers aren’t happy about the size of the bass they’re catching. Division of Wildlife Resources biologists have an idea to fix the problem: get more anglers who are willing to keep fish involved in bass fishing.

All of the DWR’s proposed fishing changes for the state’s 2011 fishing season should be available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings  starting Aug. 23.


Learn more, share your ideas
After you’ve reviewed the ideas, you can let your Regional Advisory Council members know your thoughts by attending your upcoming RAC meeting or by sending an e-mail to them.

RAC chairmen will share the input they receive with members of the Utah Wildlife Board. The board will meet in Salt Lake City on Sept. 23 to approve rules for Utah’s 2011 fishing season.

Dates, times and locations for the RAC meetings are as follows:

Southern Region
Sept. 7, 7 p.m.
Richfield High School
510 W 100 S, Richfield

Southeastern Region
Sept. 8, 6:30 p.m.
John Wesley Powell Museum
1765 E Main Street, Green River

Northeastern Region
Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m.
Uintah Basin Applied Technology College
450 N 2000 W, Vernal

Central Region
Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m.
Springville Junior High School
167 S 700 E, Springville

Northern Region
Sept. 15, 6 p.m.
Brigham City Community Center
24 N 300 W, Brigham City

E-mail
You can also provide your comments to your RAC via e-mail. E-mail addresses for your RAC members are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings  .

The group each RAC member represents (sportsman, non-consumptive, etc.) is listed under each person's e-mail address. You should direct your e-mail to the people on the RAC who represent your interest.


Smaller Bass Limits
Reducing the number of bass limits in Utah—from eight major limits to two—is the idea biologists have to get more anglers involved in bass fishing.

Specifically, biologists are recommending the following:

- A limit of six bass—with no size restrictions—at most of Utah's bass waters.

- Five reservoirs—Jordanelle, Quail Creek, Sand Hollow, Gunlock and Huntington North—would also have a six-bass limit. But only one bass in that six-bass limit could be longer than 12 inches.

Biologists would also like to simplify the bass limits at Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge. But they need to do additional work with biologists in Arizona and Wyoming to make that happen.


More anglers, bigger bass
If you think of Utah's bass fishing waters as a big cookie jar, it helps to understand why they have so many small fish: with the exception of Lake Powell, anglers are keeping only four percent or less of the total adult bass population at Utah's bass waters every year.


They're releasing at least 96 percent of the bass they catch.
The amount of room in the cookie jar is limited. You can fill the jar with lots of small crumbs, or you can fill it with a few cookies. But there isn't room in the jar for both. "Right now, many of Utah's bass waters are filled with bass in the nine- to 12-inch range," says Drew Cushing, warm water sport fisheries coordinator for the DWR.

"Anglers need to remove more of the smaller bass to make room for bigger fish. The smaller fish are eating most of the food and utilizing most of the cover."

Cushing says the new limits should benefit all bass anglers, ranging from those who are new to bass fishing to those who have fished for years.

"Beginning anglers aren't as concerned about catching a big fish," Cushing says. "They're happy with smaller fish. And they want a chance to keep some fish."

Cushing says it's tough to get new anglers interested in bass fishing when the state has eight different bass limits, including some that are fairly restrictive. "If we can reduce the number of bass limits, make the limits easier to understand and give anglers a chance to keep some fish, we think more anglers will give bass fishing a try."

And that, in turn, should lead to bigger fish to catch.


Four waters and big bass
Cushing says Jordanelle, Quail Creek, Sand Hollow and Gunlock are four waters biologists believe have the potential to grow large bass. Allowing anglers to keep six bass—but limiting them to not more than one bass longer than 12 inches—should keep plenty of big bass in these waters.

Cushing says that won't happen, though, unless those who fish the waters are willing to keep bass that are less than 12 inches long. "If they don't take some of the smaller bass, it will be difficult for the bass to grow to a larger size," he says.

Cushing says the regulation at Huntington North should give bass in the reservoir some extra protection. "The water level at the reservoir fluctuates a lot," he says. "In fact, water levels in all of our bass waters are the limiting factor facing bass in Utah. Good water years mean great fishing. Poor water years mean poor fishing."

For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700.

Fish for Free on June 5

If you’re looking for a fun activity that’s close to home and doesn’t cost much, mark June 5 on your calendar.

June 5 is Free Fishing Day in Utah. You won’t need a fishing license to fish in the state that day.

“Make plans now to get out with your family and enjoy a free day of fishing,” says Drew Cushing, warm water sport fisheries coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

Cushing says Utah has plenty of water this year, and fishing should be better than ever. “Fishing at many of our mid-elevation reservoirs is really good right now,” he says. “As the spring runoff recedes, fishing will pick up at the state’s rivers and streams too.”

You won’t need a license to fish on June 5, but Cushing reminds you that all other rules in the state’s fishing guidebook will still be in effect.

You can learn those rules by reading the 2010 Utah Fishing Guidebook. The free guidebook is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks/2010_fishing   on the Web.

Copies are also available at DWR offices and from fishing license agents across the state.

Some of the best places to fish
Before Free Fishing Day, the DWR will place extra fish in waters across Utah. Most of those fish will be placed in lakes and reservoirs, so those might be good places to try on June 5.

Utah’s community fishing ponds are another good place to consider. Depending on where you live, a community pond might be only a few minutes away.

You can learn more about Utah’s community fishing ponds at www.wildlife.utah.gov/cf/cf_book_10.pdf  on the Web.

“We’ll stock the community fishing ponds with channel catfish before Free Fishing Day,” Cushing says. “We’ll continue stocking the ponds with catfish until the temperatures cool in the fall. Then we’ll start placing trout in the ponds.”

Several free fishing events for children will be held on Free Fishing Day. The following are some of the events the DWR will be involved in:


NORTHERN UTAH
LOGAN
The Bear River Celebration and Free Fishing Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Skylar’s Pond.

The pond is in Willow Park, 419 W. 700 S.

People of all ages can enjoy free fishing at the pond. Fishing equipment will be available to check out and use. Volunteers will also be available to help first-time anglers fish.

Special interactive activity booths will also be available for those ages 4 to 18 years old. The first 250 youths who visit the booths and complete their “passport to fun” will receive a free t-shirt. The interactive booths will give young people a chance to discover the joys of fishing and learn the importance of good water quality. Youths can tie their own wooly bugger, experience how rivers and streams are formed, explore the life cycles of fish, go “buggy over bugs,” make fish prints, learn to cast a fishing lure and much more.

For more information, e-mail Marni Lee with the Division of Wildlife Resources at marnilee@utah.gov .



NORTH-CENTRAL UTAH
MURRAY
“Family Fishing Derby” at Willow Park Pond in Murray.

The pond is at 6059 S. Murray Parkway Ave., just north of the Murray Golf Course.

One-hour fishing sessions for families and kids will be held at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Space is limited. You can pick up a ticket to participate at the Murray Parks and Recreation office or the Sportsman’s Warehouse store in Midvale.

The DWR will stock the pond with channel catfish before the event. Starting at 9 a.m., the children who participate will be taught about fish and how to catch them. Once the training is done, the kids are free to fish at the pond. If your child needs help, volunteers from the DWR’s Dedicated Hunter program will be available to help them fish and clean the fish they catch.

Fishing poles and bait will be available for children to borrow if they don’t have their own equipment.


MIDWAY
“Kid’s Fishing Event,” Wasatch Mountain State Park pond, about two miles west of Midway.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Space is limited. If your child would like to participate, please register in advance by calling Wendy Wilson at (435) 654-1791.

The DWR will stock the pond with rainbow trout before the event. At 9 a.m., the kids who participate will be taught about fish and how to catch them. Once the training is done, the kids are free to fish at the pond. If your child needs help, volunteers from the DWR’s Dedicated Hunter program will be available to help them fish and clean the fish they catch.

Fishing poles and bait will be available for children to borrow if they don’t have their own equipment.


UTAH LAKE
The Fifth Annual Utah Lake Festival will be held at Utah Lake State Park, 4400 W. Center St.

Fishing equipment will be available to use at no charge. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In addition to fishing, activities at the festival include fighting fish on a fishing simulator; free boat rides; a sail-boat regatta; face painting and art activities for kids; and plenty of booths to visit. Free hot dogs, popcorn, apples and water will be provided by Provo, American Fork, Orem, Springville and Santaquin cities.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there is no fee to visit Utah Lake State Park and the festival. The festival provides a chance to get outside and enjoy Utah Lake, experience the recreational opportunities the lake offers and learn about its ecosystem and the native fish species that live in the lake.



SOUTHWESTERN UTAH
LITTLE RESERVOIR
The Division of Wildlife Resources will sponsor a fishing event at Little Reservoir from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A limited number of fishing rods and equipment will be available for children to borrow if they don’t have their own. DWR personnel and volunteers will also be available to help the kids fish. And those who participate might receive a prize!

Little Reservoir is east of Beaver. To reach the reservoir, travel east from Beaver on state Route 153 for about nine miles to Kents Lake Road. Then travel about one on Kents Lake Road to the reservoir.

For more information, call the DWR’s Cedar City office at (435) 865-6100.


SAND HOLLOW STATE PARK
The Division of Wildlife Resources and Utah State Parks and Recreation will co-sponsor a fishing event at Sand Hollow State Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The state park will waive the entrance fee for those 14 years of age or younger who come to the park to participate in the event. A limited number of fishing rods and equipment will be available for children to borrow if they don’t have their own. DWR personnel and volunteers from the DWR’s Dedicated Hunter program will also be available to help the kids fish.

To reach the reservoir from Interstate 15, exit at Exit 16 (the Hurricane exit), and travel east on state Route 9 for about four miles to Sand Hollow Road. Turn right on Sand Hollow Road, and travel south for about three miles. Then turn left at the park entrance.

For more information, call Lynn Chamberlain at (435) 680-0059.


TROPIC RESERVOIR
A free Kids Fishing Derby will be held at Tropic Reservoir from 9 a.m. to noon.

The DWR will stock the reservoir with fish before the event. Each child who attends the event will receive a prize. Refreshments will also be provided.

Tropic Reservoir is just west of Bryce Canyon National Park. To reach the reservoir, travel southeast from Panguitch on Route 12. Five miles before you reach the park, turn south on a gravel road and travel 10 miles to the reservoir.

For more information, call Jake Schoppe with the U.S. Forest Service at (435) 676-9300.

Quagga Mussel May Have Been Found in Sand Hollow

Hurricane -- Divers have found what appears to be a live adult quagga mussel in Sand Hollow Reservoir.

The reservoir is about eight miles southwest of Hurricane in southern Utah.

“After the divers made the discovery, two aquatic invasive species (AIS) biologists confirmed that the mussel appeared to be an adult quagga mussel,” says Douglas Messerly, regional supervisor for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

“If it is an adult quagga mussel, there’s a good chance more of them are in the reservoir,” Messerly says. “And if that’s the case, that’s bad news for boaters, anglers and water users.

“Quagga mussels can do all kinds of damage, including clogging systems that deliver water and devastating fish populations.”

The mussel has been sent to the DWR office in Salt Lake City. From there, it will be flown to Colorado, where two laboratories will perform DNA tests. The DNA tests will help confirm whether the mussel is a quagga mussel or another type of mussel.

“The Division of Wildlife Resources is taking this suspected sighting seriously,” Messerly says. “We’re working closely with Utah State Parks and the Washington County Water Conservancy District to develop short- and long-term plans to contain and manage the problem.”

Decontaminating your boat
To lessen the chance that mussels are spread to other waters from the reservoir, on May 22, DWR Director Jim Karpowitz signed a legal rapid response plan notice. The notice is now in effect at Sand Hollow and at waters throughout Utah.

The notice requires that any type of recreational equipment that’s been in Sand Hollow during the past 30 days must be decontaminated before launching at any other water in Utah. This includes any piece of recreational equipment capable of carrying or containing reservoir water or a quagga or zebra mussel, including any type of boat, vessel, personal watercraft, motor vehicle or trailer.

Also, all boats leaving Sand Hollow must be inspected for mussels and drained and cleaned by DWR AIS technicians.

“Decontaminating your boat is the only way to stop the spread of these mussels,” says Lynn Chamberlain, DWR regional outreach manager. “The decontamination process won’t harm your boat. In fact, it can actually help your boat by removing mussels that could clog your boat’s pumps and hoses.”

Chamberlain says there are two ways to decontaminate your boat after pulling it out of the water:

1)Clean mud, plants, animals or other debris from your boat and equipment.

2)Drain the ballast tanks, bilge, live wells and motor.

3)Dry your boat (seven days in the summer, 18 days in the spring and fall, and 30 days in the winter.

OR

Get your boat professionally decontaminated. Certified personnel will wash your trailer and boat inside and out, flushing your ballast tanks, bilge, live wells and motor with high-pressure, scalding (140 degree Fahrenheit) water.

The DWR offers this service for free at popular waters across Utah.

“No matter which decontamination method you prefer, you should make a habit of completing the decontamination process after every boating trip,” Chamberlain says. “In addition to stopping the spread of mussels, your efforts will also help limit the spread of whirling disease.”

Chamberlain says the DWR will have decontamination units at Sand Hollow and will provide the service free to boaters as they leave the park.  “Hundreds of boaters use this reservoir, so you’ll likely have to wait several minutes to use the service,” he says.


Regular dives
Sand Hollow is one of the waters at which the Washington County Water Conservancy District (WCWCD) conducts regular dives to search for quagga and zebra mussels.

Divers found the possible quagga mussel during a dive on May 21.

Kent Walker was diving with fellow diver Troy Guard under docks near the main boat ramp on the northwest side of the reservoir when he felt something suspicious in a crevice between two floatation buoys under the dock.

He pulled the item out and brought it to the surface. Michelle Deras, an AIS biologist with the WCWCD, and Crystal Stock, an AIS biologist with the DWR, were among several DWR, Utah State Parks and WCWCD personnel who were contacted.

After examining the mussel, Deras and Stock confirmed that it had all the markings and characteristics of an adult quagga mussel.

“At this point, we don’t know where the mussel came from or how many are in the reservoir,” Deras says. “What we do know is that we found one and there are likely more. We must take every precaution possible to make sure mussels aren’t spread to other waters in Utah.”

Sand Hollow Reservoir is still open for boating and fishing.

For more information about the rapid response plan notice and how you can prevent spreading quagga mussels in Utah, visit www.wildlife.utah.gov/mussels .

Fees change at State Parks

Salt Lake – Sand Hollow, Quail Creek, Gunlock, Anasazi, Hyrum, and Bear Lake state parks implemented fee changes effective May 1. Day-use entrance fees, per vehicle with up to eight occupants, are $10 at Quail Creek, $7 at Gunlock, and $5 at Anasazi.

Individual campsites are $13 per site at Gunlock. Quail Creek campsites are $15 with a $12 extra vehicle fee. Sand Hollow Westside Loop is $28 and $15 for an extra vehicle; Sand Hollow Sandpit Loop campsites with utilities are $25 per site with an $18 extra vehicle fee. Primitive area camping at Sand Hollow is $15.

Group camping at Hyrum is $200 per night. Willow and Big Creek group sites at Bear Lake State Park are $100 per night and boat camping transient slips at Bear Lake are $20.

Your park fees provide for care, protection and enhancement of Utah’s state parks. For more information, please call (801) 538-7220.

Southern Region Fishing Report

Photo Courtesy Big Fish Tackle

BAKER RESERVOIR: (April 16) The water level is rising quickly and the Division has stocked catchable-sized rainbows. Shore anglers are having slow to fair success with bait. One angler reports good success trolling with rapalas. Float tubes should also help. A few anglers have caught nice browns.

BARKER RESERVOIRS (NORTH CREEK LAKES): (April 16) All of the Boulder Mountain lakes will open to fishing on April 17, except for Dougherty Basin Lake which is closed until July 10. Access is very limited by deep snow. There is very little pressure.

BEAVER MOUNTAIN LAKES: (April 16) You can access most of the lakes with a snowmobile. Fishing pressure is light throughout the winter, with Little Reservoir and Kent's Lake receiving the most pressure. The ice is starting to soften at Little Reservoir.

BEAVER RIVER, LOWER: (April 16) The irrigation season began on April 1 and flows can increase at any time. As of April 12, irrigation releases had not yet begun. Unlike some other tailwaters, irrigation flows on the Beaver River do not hinder fishing as much. Recent surveys found that trout numbers are down from the past few years. There is not much fishing pressure.

BEAVER RIVER, UPPER: (April 16) The ice is gone from most of the river, except for the highest reaches. Major runoff has not started yet, so flows are low and clear.

BOULDER MOUNTAIN: (April 16) All Boulder Mountain lakes will open to fishing on April 17. The snow pack is very high and access is limited to snowmobiles.

CLEAR CREEK: (April 16) The lower section in the state park is murky with runoff. There is clear water above the narrows.

CORN CREEK: (April 16) The gates are closed at the National Forest boundary on Corn Creek, Chalk Creek and Oak Creek.

DUCK CREEK POND / ASPEN MIRROR LAKE: (April 16) Duck Creek and Aspen-Mirror will open again on April 17. Deep snow is making it difficult to access Aspen-Mirror. Catchable-sized rainbow trout will be stocked in May. Until then, fishing will be slow to fair for holdover rainbows. The early season is the best time to target brook trout. Try fishing dark-colored marabou jigs and wooly buggers close to the bottom.

EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER IN KINGSTON CANYON: (April 16) The water level is low and a little murky. Tread lightly to avoid spooking fish. The irrigation season starts April 15 and flows can increase any time after that. It is more difficult to fish when the irrigation flows are active.

EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER, BLACK CANYON: (April 16) The flows are generally low and clear but can get murky at any time from localized runoff—especially on warm afternoons. One angler reports fair success with a pheasant tail or a blue-wing olive during a small afternoon hatch.

ENTERPRISE RESERVOIR, UPPER: (April 16) The ice is gone, the upper reservoir is filling and access is good. The water is a little murky because of the rapidly rising lake level. One angler reports fair to good fishing for rainbows with nightcrawlers, and slower success with flies. A recent sampling showed that the rainbows stocked in 2009 have survived well and will be growing fast. There are a lot of 10- to 12-inch fish, with good numbers reaching 14 to 15 inches. Catchable-sized rainbows have been stocked in the lower reservoir.

FISH LAKE: (April 16) Access is getting better because the snow drifts next to the highway have started to melt down. The snow has been blown off the ice. The recent warm weather is creating some slush on top, especially in the afternoon. There is a lot of open water around Twin Creek and a little at the other tributaries as well. If the present mild weather pattern holds, the ice will likely start to deteriorate within 2 or 3 weeks.

Fishing pressure has really dropped off, but fishing is fair to good for most of the anglers that make the trip. You will find the best fishing at 30 to 35 feet. Try tipping jigs with perch meat and fish near the bottom for splake, as well as a few rainbows and perch. Anglers have caught some nice rainbows down 20 to 30 feet over deep water. Some anglers are finding success for perch and small trout in more shallow water, in the 15 to 20 foot range. The bite is usually very light, so attentive anglers are having the best success. You can pick up small lake trout at 80 to 95 feet on large tube jigs tipped with fish meat. Catching large lake trout is rare and requires a lot of patience. Please do not discard perch on the ice, it is illegal to abandon or waste any fish.

FORSYTH RESERVOIR: (April 16) The ice is softening and unsafe. Open water is appearing at the inlets. The ice should be completely off within two weeks. One angler reports slow fishing in the open water.

FREMONT RIVER: (April 16) The road from Mill Meadow to Fish Lake is not plowed. Winter fishing can be fair to good in the Bicknell Bottoms.

GUNLOCK RESERVOIR: (April 16) The reservoir is filling. Largemouth bass were restocked in 2009 and got off a very successful spawning season. There will be a lot of small fish this year, up to 10 inches. There are not many large brood fish, so don't plan on targeting them. Bass fishing usually doesn't pick up until late April.

IRON COUNTY COMMUNITY FISHERIES: (April 16) Rainbow trout have been stocked in Parowan Pond. Leigh Hill Reservoir in Cedar City will open to fishing on July 1, 2010.

KOLOB RESERVOIR: (April 16) Access is limited to snowmobile. There is little ice fishing pressure because of the poor access. Ice fishing can be good if you can get to the reservoir. Remember that the new limit for 2010 is two trout less than 15 inches or over 22 inches. All trout from 15 to 22 inches must be released. Fishing with bait will not open until the third Saturday in May.

KOOSHAREM RESERVOIR: (April 16) The reservoir is still ice-covered, but the ice is starting to get soft. There is no fishing pressure.

LOWER BOWNS RESERVOIR: (April 16) The ice is starting to come off, but access is difficult because of the snow. If you can get in on a snowmobile or ATV, ice-off fishing could be good.

MILL MEADOW RESERVOIR: (April 16) The ice is nearly gone. We have mixed reports on fishing. A few anglers are doing well for browns by casting lures from shore. Others report slower success with bait. Anglers are encouraged to harvest perch in order to help the population stay in balance with the available food. Remember that the perch limit has been increased to 50.

MINERSVILLE RESERVOIR: (April 16) There is light fishing pressure. Fishing is generally slow with scattered periods of good fishing. Most anglers are using nymphs, midges and wooly buggers—with about the same success for each pattern. Fish are often cruising right next to the bank, so long casts and extensive wading are usually not necessary. Target points and bays with gravel shorelines. Recent surveys found that trout are making a comeback. There are good numbers of 12- to 14-inch rainbows available, as well as a fair number of larger fish up to 21 inches. Trout should grow fast this year with an improved reservoir water level and quality. Remember that the use or possession of bait, including scented lures, is prohibited at Minersville Reservoir.

NAVAJO LAKE: (April 16) There is plenty of ice but access is limited to snowmobile. Recent angler reports indicate good fishing for splake. Try light-colored jigs or flashy spoons tipped with cutbait (like chub or sucker) or half a minnow.

NEWCASTLE RESERVOIR: (April 16) Recent surveys found good numbers of 10- and 14-inch rainbows, as well as both medium and large wipers. Wipers are schooling fairly close to shore. Trout fishing is slow to fair with bait. We have no reports of anglers catching wipers being so far this season.

OTTER CREEK RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (April 16) The ice is gone and fishing pressure has increased dramatically, although fishing success is fairly spotty. A few anglers are finding fair to good success, but fishing is slow for most. The few fish that anglers are catching are good-sized and in great condition. Recent surveys found that rainbow trout numbers are still as high as ever, though the population has shifted a little toward smaller fish. There are a lot of 10- to 12-inch fish present, but these fish should grow quickly this year. There is also a good number of larger rainbows—between 16 and 20 inches—available, but not in the abundance we've seen in recent years. Heavy fishing and harvest pressure have likely contributed to the shift in size structure, and to the spotty fishing success many anglers experienced over the last year. Good water levels this year should result in fast growth and more quality-sized fish.

PANGUITCH LAKE: (April 16) Altogether, the ice is about three feet thick with some slush layers in the middle. There is very little pressure because of the deep snow around the lake. The snow on top of the ice has mostly frozen or blown off. One angler reports good success with PowerBait. Remember that cutthroat and tiger trout 15–22 inches must be released. For help with fish identification, refer to page 40 in the Utah Fishing Guidebook.

PINE LAKE: (April 16) Access is still limited by snow. The ice should be coming off soon.

PIUTE RESERVOIR: (April 16) The ice is gone and shore fishing pressure has increased, though success is slow. Recent surveys found that the fish stocked last fall after the reservoir refilled have survived well. There are decent numbers of 12- to 14-inch rainbow trout present, as well as a few brood rainbows and browns. The Division also stocked 8- to 10-inch rainbows recently. This year's improved water levels should result in fast growth. In addition, extra fish from the hatchery will be stocked in Piute as often as possible.

QUAIL LAKE: (April 16) The recent cold weather and cold water from upstream have meant the water temperature is rising very slowly. Daytime temperatures are still hovering in the low to mid-50s and bass are staying deep. Continue using coldwater bass techniques until the water gets into the 60s. Make sure you fish during the warmest part of the day and use a very slow retrieve—dead-sticking is often the best technique. Many bass anglers prefer drop-shot rigs in cold weather. Don't be afraid to use larger plastics or even hardware. Fish are usually deep, in the 20 to 30 foot range.

SAND HOLLOW RESERVOIR: (April 16) The storms and cold weather over the last couple of weeks have slowed how much the water temperature is rising. The water is still just reaching the upper 50s in the afternoon. Look for the temperature to reach 60 as soon as we get a few warm days strung together. Anglers have seen a few large bass moving into the shallows in pre-spawn mode. These fish are spooked easily, however, and most anglers are finding better success fishing deeper. Action should start to really pick up over the next couple of weeks, if the warmer weather prevails.

SEVIER RIVER IN MARYSVALE CANYON: (April 16) The irrigation season starts on April 15, so flows can increase at any time after that.

THOUSAND LAKE MOUNTAIN: (April 16) Access is limited. (The best access is from I-70.) Ice fishing can be good to excellent in Solomon Basin.

WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMUNITY FISHERIES: (April 16) Rainbow trout have been stocked regularly and 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.)

WIDE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: (March 04) The reservoir has been drained so that the dam can be rebuilt. It will be filled again in 2011.

YANKEE MEADOW RESERVOIR: (April 16) Access is limited to snowmobile. Fishing is slow.

Melting Ice Means Great Shore Fishing in Utah

Mike Hadley, DWR regional aquatics biologist, holds a large male rainbow trout—in full spawning colors—caught during a gillnetting survey at Minersville Reservoir on March 30, 2010. Minersville Reservoir is west of Beaver.

Photo courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

The calendar says spring arrived three weeks ago. But anglers in southern Utah know different.

They know spring is “really” here when the ice starts to come off the surface of southern Utah’s fishing waters. When that happens, they know hungry trout will be cruising the shorelines of lakes and reservoirs in the area, looking for their first meal of the spring. They know some of the best fishing of the year is here!

Try these waters
Mike Ottenbacher, regional aquatic manager for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says the ice has melted off several reservoirs in southern Utah. And it will be melting soon at many others.

If you want to get in on the action, Ottenbacher suggests trying the following waters:

Otter Creek State Park: Otter Creek Reservoir will likely be ice-fee by the time you read this, and some nice rainbows will be cruising its shoreline. A good water year in the Sevier River Basin has filled the reservoir almost to capacity, That means conditions will be good for fish this year. The trout will grow fast through the summer. If the wind is blowing on the reservoir, try fishing the stream immediately below the reservoir. Or you can go farther downstream and fish the portion of the stream that flows through the Kingston Canyon Wildlife Management Area.

Minersville Reservoir: The ice is gone and the trout are back! Minersville Reservoir has suffered through some tough times in recent years. Poor water quality (probably related to some fires in 2007) and low water caused most of the trout in the reservoir to die during the winter of 2008 - 2009. The trout the DWR stocked in 2009, however, have survived and have grown well. Sampling at the end of March 2010 showed good numbers of 14- to 18-inch trout. A few older fish—more than 20 inches long—were also found during the sampling. An added bonus is a growing population of smallmouth bass. Good numbers of chunky bass should be available later this summer when the water warms up and the bass become active.

Newcastle Reservoir: The ice is off this reservoir west of Cedar City. You can catch a variety of fish here, including rainbow trout, smallmouth bass and wipers. Try for the trout now, and then go for the smallmouth and wipers after the water warms up a bit.

Enterprise reservoirs: Two reservoirs located west of Cedar City. The upper reservoir is back in production after several years of low water because of work on its dam. The ice is gone, and the water level is coming up at both reservoirs. Both contain rainbow trout; the lower reservoir was stocked with catchable-sized rainbows in late March.

Quail Creek State Park and Sand Hollow State Park: These two reservoirs down in Dixie—Quail Creek and Sand Hollow—stay ice-free through the winter. Both contain largemouth bass and bluegill. Quail Creek Reservoir also has some rainbow trout. The bass and bluegill fishing picks up in mid-April and early May when the water nears 60 degrees.

Lake Powell: Lake Powell is a perennial spring favorite. There isn’t any water in Utah—or the rest of the West—that compares to it. Look for fishing to improve around “spring break” time and to keep getting better. The rising water level is flooding the vegetation that has grown at the lake in recent years. And that means better habitat for the fish and great fishing in 2010.

“Future” spring fishing spots: Heavy snowpack and cold spring weather in southern Utah means ice-off will be a little later than normal at many waters this year. Some spots to try as they open up later this spring include Fish Lake, Panguitch Lake, and lakes on the Beaver Mountain and Boulder Mountain. The large amount of snow received in southern Utah this past winter should result in full reservoirs and lakes. And that means great fishing through the summer.

Ice-off and spring fishing tips
The neat thing about fishing at ice-off and during early spring is that about any technique or type of gear you use will work. And you don’t need a boat to be successful. In fact, in the spring, fishing from the shore is often better than fishing from a boat. Gravel shorelines and rocky points near shore attract large rainbow trout that are cruising the shorelines looking for a place to spawn.

For the latest tips on the best techniques to use and “hot” lures, flies and baits to try, check out the latest fishing reports at www.wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/reports.php .

Public Comment sought for Sand Hollow State Park

Salt Lake City - Utah State Parks and Recreation is seeking public comments on a draft resource management plan (RMP) for Sand Hollow State Park through December 31, 2009.

The plan is located for review online at: http://stateparks.utah.gov/planning . Hardcopies may be reviewed at the Utah State Parks Administrative Office at 1594 West North Temple, Suite 116 in Salt Lake City; Sand Hollow State Park; Washington County Library at 36 South 300 West in Hurricane; and Hurricane City Offices at 147 North 870 West in Hurricane.

The draft RMP identifies issues relating to public use, resource management and future development at the park for the next 10 years. A planning team consisting of park users, local citizens, other agency representatives and park managers developed the draft plan through a series of team and public meetings.

Comments will be accepted through December 31, 2009 by:

E-mail to: PLANSCOMMENT@utah.gov


Regular mail to: Utah State Parks:
Planning Section
P.O. Box 146001
1594 West North Temple, Suite 116
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6001

Boating Safety Tip of the Week

Salt Lake City – Though water temperatures are dropping at Utah’s lakes and reservoirs statewide, there are still great boating opportunities in southern Utah.

Sand Hollow and Quail Creek state parks in Hurricane offer year-round boating. These two parks provide great winter boating opportunities with a mild winter climate. Sand Hollow State Park offers blue waters and red sandstone landscapes, while Quail Creek State Park boasts a red rock desert setting and great fishing.

“These two parks are an easy five-hour drive from the Salt Lake Valley and provide excellent opportunities to extend the boating season on Utah’s warmer waters,” commented Utah State Parks Assistant Boating Program Manager Chris Haller.

Haller reminds all boaters to follow these safety tips:

Always wear a life jacket!
File a float plan; inform someone of where you are going and when you will return.
Dress for changing weather conditions and layer your clothing.
Keep a ladder on board in case someone falls overboard.
Never boat alone!

For more information or to take a boating safety course, please visit http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/  or call (801) 538-BOAT. Wear it Utah!