FISHING REPORT FOR NORTHEASTERN REGION OF UTAH

NORTHEASTERN REGION – updated April 11

Quagga Mussels, a close relative of the Zebra Mussel, were found in Lake Mead in January and it is likely boaters and anglers will transport them into Utah waters if precautions aren’t taken. This invasive species has completely crashed productive sport and commercial fisheries in the Great Lakes, eastern and southern waters and has caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to agriculture, power production and water supply systems. To prevent their spread, anglers and boaters should: remove any visible mud, vegetation, fish and other critters before transporting equipment; eliminate all water from boat and equipment – dry completely or treat chemically; clean and dry everything that came into contact with water including boats, trailers, fishing equipment, other equipment, clothing and even pets before going to another water; never transport or release plants, fish, or other animals into another body of water.

Changes since the last report: the warm spell continues to accelerate melting of snow and ice. With the melt comes muddy roads and slushy snow/ice conditions. Most mid to low elevation lakes and reservoirs are ice-free.

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 The reservoir is ice-free with no new reports. Should be fair to good fishing for trout. 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 Several reports of fair fishing for rainbows and a few tiger musky being taken. Bass should be picking up as weather warms. Small boats can be launched from undeveloped sites near the dams. Reservoirs are located approximately 5 miles north of the town of Gusher.

BROUGH RESERVOIR No new reports other than ice free. 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 No new reports. Still snow in the higher country, predicted road access opening is mid-May. 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 Anglers report good fishing. Roads accessible but watch the storms, as they will make it muddy. The new “trophy ” regulation for Calder began January 1, 2007. Please read proclamation for details on regulations.

CURRANT CREEK RESERVOIR No new reports. Lake likely has ice but melting quickly. Check ice edge thickness carefully before venturing out. The road has been kept open to the dam.

EAST PARK / OAKS PARK No new reports. Reservoirs likely still have an ice cap but should have open areas along edges. Red Cloud Loop roads still closed, predicted opening mid to late May.

FLAMING GORGE RESERVOIR Access Conditions: Launching boats is possible on all ramps.

Lake Trout Fishing: No recent reports from the north end. Some success reported for lake trout in the Mustang, Jarvies, Antelope and Linwood areas. Fish are in traditional areas on underwater humps and points. Fishing for smaller lake trout north of Big Bend should be good now until end of May. Try jigging and trolling in 30 to 60 feet of water, look for flats adjacent to the old river channel and also look for suspended fish over the channel. Use downriggers to troll spoons and minnow plugs a few feet off the bottom. Good colors for spoons and plugs include chartreuse, orange and white. Good jig colors are white, brown and chartreuse. Try tipping jigs with a small chunk of sucker meat if you can see them on your graph but can't get them to bite with a plain jig. 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. There's an overabundance of lake trout under 28" in the Gorge so do your part to help the fishery and keep a limit of 8 fish. For larger lake trout try long lining or use planer boards trolling plugs in Jarvies, Sheep Creek, Linwood, Stateline, and Antelope Flat. Lake trout can utilize all depths of water column now. Active fish forage near the surface in search of shallow rainbows and kokanee. For fish on the bottom, troll with downriggers or steel line or use larger sized jigs in traditional colors. Big lake trout eat big food so lures and jigs can be also.

Kokanee Fishing: no reports, typically slow until May.

Rainbow Fishing: Good to excellent fishing for rainbows on most of the reservoir. Most areas where current is entering reservoir attract rainbows in early spring. Also look for large rainbows near boat ramps as mature fish return to where they were stocked in an attempt to spawn. If fishing from a boat try trolling spoons or rapalas with at least 150 ft of line out or use planer boards. Most colors of spoons and minnow lures will work but go with lures in the one to two inch sizes. Spring is the best time of year to catch large rainbows from shore at the Gorge. If bait fishing, try suspending a worm 4 to 6 feet below a bobber if fish are surfacing or close to surface. If fishing on bottom, try a worm and marshmallow combo to keep the bait off the bottom. Casting spoons, spinners or smaller crank baits from shore also works well. Fly fishing with woolly buggars and leech patterns is another great way to catch rainbows up to 25".

Burbot Fishing: Try fishing with jigs late in the afternoon or early morning on points coming into reservoir. These fish move deep after winter so adjust your location accordingly. Anglers recently reported burbot being caught off Antelope Flat in 100 plus feet of water. These fish must be harvested if caught in Utah to help control their population as they were illegally introduced to the upper Green River drainage 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 – Currently, Red Creek is not a major influence on clarity in Browns Park. 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 snow pack conditions, approximately 50% of normal in the Green River drainage, flows should remain at 800 cfs until spring high flows for threatened and endangered fish occur sometime in May or June depending on water conditions. Summer conditions should also be low. Visit the Bureau of Reclamation website www.uc.usbr.gov for the latest information on flows.

DWR will conduct electrofishing samples on April 16th just below the dam and at Little Hole on April 17th. Samples are taken for one mile below each location.

Currently, fair to good fishing on the river. Midge hatches are occurring on most days. Other hatches should occur toward the end of the month. No major blue wing hatches yet. 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. Some reports of good fishing using woolly 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 in brown and red; small scuds in olive and grey #18-22; Glo-bugs #12-14 in all colors; San Juan Worms in red #14-12; RS2's and WD 40's in grey, olive or wine #18-24; streamers such as #2-6 Buggers in tan, black, and 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. No new reports from anglers. Lower sections are clear of ice but with muddy water.

MATT WARNER RESERVOIR Getting reports of fair to good fishing. Roads accessible with a few muddy areas.

MOON LAKE No new reports. With the warm weather conditions we have received it’s likely access is good to the Lake and there is also likely to be open water along the edges. If there is ice, then check 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 Lake is ice-free, anglers reported good fishing for bass and bluegills on warm days just prior to cold weather moving in. Fishing should pick up quickly once the cold spell moves out.

RED FLEET RESERVOIR Reservoir is ice free and getting reports of good fishing for rainbows with a few browns also being reported. Also received a couple reports of bass being caught along the sun baked walls and rock faces.

STARVATION RESERVOIR Reservoir ice is gone. Reports are of good fishing for trout including a few large browns. Just starting to get reports on warm water fish: walleye, bass and yellow perch.

STEINAKER RESERVOIR Reports of fair to good fishing form shore and from boats for browns and rainbows including some larger fish being taken. A few bass and bluegills being picked up in the deeper water, with warmer weather they should start moving into the shallows.

UINTA MOUNTAIN LAKES AND STREAMS No new reports from the mountain. Have heard of some fair to good fishing on lower streams. Mountain lakes still have ice and snow. 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.