FISHING REPORT FOR NORTHEASTERN REGION OF UTAH

Changes since the last report include a warm spell, which has accelerated melting of snow and ice. Ice fractures becoming dangerous on many waters even when it looks like there is enough ice to hold a vehicle. With the melt comes muddy roads, slushy snow/ice conditions and some lower elevation reservoirs have filled enough so that the edges are unsafe.

Warning: Whirling disease has been found in the Northeastern Region on both the north and south slope of the Uinta Mountains. It is believed anglers are now the main source of movement of the parasite that causes Whirling Disease. To avoid spreading the disease, do not move fish or fish parts from one water to another. Clean the fish well away from the water and dispose of the unwanted parts in the garbage. If that’s not possible then bury it in a deep hole or burn it completely. One infected fish carcass can contain over a million spores. Also, make sure to clean, dry and sterilize waders, live wells and other fishing gear before venturing to another water or above a diversion (such as a small dam) which are being built to stop the movement of infected fish.

BIG SAND WASH RESERVOIR No new reports, ice condition likely unsafe. The reservoir was drained, the dam checked, it passed inspection and is being refilled. The Division stocked catchable fish last summer and plans to stock more catchables and fingerlings to provide immediate and long-term fisheries.

BULLOCK/COTTONWOOD RESERVOIRS No new reports. Nearby reservoirs are filling and have water along the edges and unsafe ice conditions, so it’s likely these do too. Reservoirs are located approximately 5 miles north of the town of Gusher.

BROUGH RESERVOIR No new reports. Old reports of anglers seeing the fish in their fish finders but catch rates were slow. Reservoir ice was over a foot deep but melting quickly and it is being filled so ice condition is likely unsafe. Note: Trophy catch and release regulations, please read proclamation. To get to Brough, take State Route 88 south from US Route 40 (Ouray Road). Turn west at the second dirt road past the high power lines. Follow this road approximately 2 miles staying to the left at each main fork. Road can be quite rutted.

BROWNIE / SPIRIT LAKE Last reports were good fishing. Access to both lakes is by skis or snowmobiles. Warning: whirling disease has been found in this area, please make sure to clean, dry and sterilize waders, live wells and other fishing gear before venturing to another water. Also do not clean fish or dump fish parts taken from one water into another lake or stream, as this will also move whirling disease.

CALDER /CROUSE RESERVOIRS We’re getting fewer reports which probably indicates slower fishing and more mud to cross to get there. Snow is melting fast and road access is questionable due to mud and drifts. The new “trophy ” regulation for Calder began January 1, 2007. Check ice condition carefully as reservoir is likely filling and so water wells up along the edges. Please read proclamation for details on regulations.

CURRANT CREEK RESERVOIR Lake still has ice and we’ve heard a few reports of fair to good fishing. Check ice edge thickness carefully before venturing out. The road has been kept open to the dam.

EAST PARK / OAKS PARK No new reports, access by skis or snowmobile. Reservoirs have ice. Check ice edge condition carefully before venturing out.

FLAMING GORGE RESERVOIR As of 3/12/07 ice covers the majority of the Reservoir but major pressure ridges and some open water have appeared in numerous areas. Ice in Wyoming is roughly 8 inches thick but several 4-wheelers have crashed through in the last couple of weeks due to weak areas and pressure ridges. Areas south of Buckboard are thinner with more pressure ridges. The area around the dam is melting with the Mustang and Cedar Springs ramps open to boat launching. The lower Canyon toward Jarvies is still has ice. The Canyon Area of the Reservoir is typically ice free by the end of March and the entire Reservoir is typically ice free by early April.

Lake Trout Fishing: Good to excellent fishing for lake trout 18-24 inches in northern end of Reservoir. Buckboard, Big Bend, Holmes Crossing, Lost Dog, and the Confluence Area are all locations producing fish. Be wary of ice conditions, especially when using a vehicle as pressure ridges and open water have developed. Use white, glow, chartreuse, or crayfish colored tube jigs on a 3/16 or ¼ oz jig head with or without sucker meat. Use minimum stretch line for good hook sets. Fish seem to be at depths 60 to 90 feet over the old river channels but don’t rule out shallower locations next to the river channel if deeper locations don’t produce. A graph is very valuable to see suspended fish, which are typically more apt to bite. Put the jig right in front of them. Mornings seem to be the best time to fish. There are many anglers catching limits of eight fish when they locate them. Be sure to harvest fish under 28 inches to help reduce this over populated size of fish. Unlike their larger relatives, the smaller lake trout are excellent table fair with orange flesh and taste as good or better than a rainbow when cooked up on the grill. Fishing for larger lake trout has been slow to good depending on the day. Big bend and Anvil draw area has been producing fish but ice conditions should be checked carefully. Linwood/Swim Beach has been slow to fair.

Kokanee Fishing: no reports, typically slow until May.

Rainbow Fishing: Good to excellent fishing for rainbows 14 to 20 inches in the northern areas of the reservoir. Most areas that you can access the reservoir are producing fish in 15-30 feet of water. Typical rainbow fishing equipment spoons, jigs tipped with meal worms, worms or powerbait are working. A graph will help see when fish are below you so you can put the lure in front of them. Adjust the transducer so you can see you lure on the graph. Anglers are catching limits regularly. Some rainbows are being caught in the Sheep Creek area but action seems to be slow.

Burbot Fishing: Burbot fishing has been good in areas from Lost Dog down to Holmes crossing. Also, we’re getting reports of fish being caught off the Buckboard boat ramp in 20 - 40 feet of water. Concentrate on areas that might hold crayfish, as they seem to be the major prey item this time of year. Most fish are being caught from sunset to 9 pm and then again from 4 am to sunrise. Try using glow tube jigs, 2 to 3 inches, or glow spoons, 1 to 2 inches, tipped with sucker meat or other legal fish bait. Drill numerous holes and move around if not having success through one hole. Be sure to re-energize glow jigs often. Bite seems to be light and if you miss one, drop it back down immediately, as the fish seem to stay at the location and will often bite again. These fish must be harvested if caught to help control their population as they were illegally introduced to the upper Green River drainage and have made their way into the reservoir and could have a major impact on other fish species. They are an excellent eating fish with white, flaky flesh that is similar to a perch. They can be breaded and fried or boiled and dipped in melted butter.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing: No reports, typically slow fishing until May.

GREEN RIVER - Base flows are currently 800 cfs with no fluctuations during the day. Double peaking flows ended Mar. 5th. UDWR will be working with the BOR and Western Area Power Administration to evaluate impacts that may have occurred to the trout fishery during this winter's double peaking flow regime.

Due to low snowpack conditions, approximately 70% of normal in the Green River drainage, flows should remain at 800 cfs until the spring high flows for threatened and endangered fish (occur sometime in May or June depending on water conditions). Summer conditions should also be low, 1200 to 1500 CFS average, unless March and April are very wet months. Visit the Bureau of Reclamation website www.uc.usbr.gov for the latest information on flows.

Currently, fair to good fishing on the river. Midge hatches are occurring on warmer days. Other hatches should occur toward the end of the month. Please remember the slot limit size range has changed from 13 to 20 inch to 15 to 22 inches to make regulations more consistent statewide. Try using wooly buggars, egg patterns and various nymph patterns. Other flies to try include: Two-bead midge (#22-24), Para Adams (#20-26), Griffith's Gnat (#20-24), Tungsten Zebra Midges ( #14-16 brown, red), small scuds (olive, grey, #18-22), Glo-bugs (#12-14 all colors), San Juan Worms, red (#14-12) RS2's and WD 40's (grey, olive or wine #18-24), streamers such as #2-6 Buggers in tan, black, or olive, Goldilox Buggers, and Double Bunnies. Visit the following web site to see up to date flies and lures that are catching fish. www.fishgreenriver.com.

Spin fishermen should try small rapalas (floating, countdown and husky jerk); spinners; black, brown or olive marabou jigs; and tube jigs. Please check to see that your tube jigs contain no fish attracting scents, as they are illegal to use in the river.

New Zealand Mudsnail densities have dramatically increased in several localized areas near Little Hole, and have been documented in most areas of the river. Please thoroughly clean mud and vegetation from waders, boats and fishing gear; and if possible, completely dry equipment before leaving the area. A hot water bath (120 degrees Fahrenheit) will kill mudsnails, and spraying equipment with 409 or a similar soap solution before drying will increase effectiveness.

GREEN RIVER (lower) Water level is low, but above average for this time of year due to the dam flows and recent run off. No new reports from anglers. Almost all of the lower sections are clear of ice but with very muddy water.

MATT WARNER RESERVOIR Occasional report of fair to good fishing. Access is by snowmobiles or skis.

MOON LAKE Recent reports indicate fair to good fishing on a good ice cap. Anglers were drive to the lake, which still had plenty of ice. With the warm weather, check the ice conditions carefully, especially along the edges, before venturing out. Also be aware of pressure ridges and breaks if crossing, especially with a vehicle. The lake contains a variety of trout and kokanee.

PELICAN LAKE A few anglers were reported out on the ice on Saturday but others refused to cross the edges to get there. Fishing was slow. Lake has an ice cap but ice around edges is considerably less and water is welling up as reservoir fills. Check ice very carefully before venturing out and be aware of changing conditions such as ice melting and wind movements.

RED FLEET RESERVOIR Reservoir still has an ice cap but be aware that edges may not be as thick as reservoir is filling. No anglers seen out on the ice last Saturday. Check ice conditions carefully before going out and be aware of changes (melting, winds, etc.) while out on the ice.

STARVATION RESERVOIR Reservoir ice is mostly gone, but it does have ice sheets, which could make boating dangerous. A sheet was reported near the boat ramp, which was confining boaters but winds may have moved it. Reports of slow fishing by anglers trying to fish the open water edges.

STEINAKER RESERVOIR Reservoir ice cap likely still over a foot thick but water is welling up around the edges as it fills. Open water is visible on the north end and south west corner near the inlet. No anglers reported out on the ice last Saturday, ice is likely unsafe

UINTA MOUNTAIN LAKES AND STREAMS We’ve been getting fewer reports but those few indicate mostly good fishing by those willing to go in by skis or snowmobile. Try brightly colored lures or jigs tipped with a mealworm or piece of night crawler. Fishing success on mountain lakes and streams can be spotty so if one hole or lake isn’t producing try moving to another. With over 400 managed fisheries on the South Slope alone, it’s easy to find a new place to fish. Always go prepared for serious weather, as the Uinta Mountains are well known for frequent unexpected storms and high winds. Note: The Uinta Mountains have a four trout limit with a bonus of four more brook trout - see proclamation for details.