Utah State Parks Launch and Water Conditions

All Utah state parks are open for the season. Camping, pavilion, and boat slip reservations are available by calling (801) 322-3770 or 1-800-322-3770 from outside the Salt Lake area.

Utah State Parks reports launch ramp and water conditions for Tuesday, May 29, 2007:

Bear Lake State Park Marina: Launch ramp open, 42 degrees
Deer Creek State Park: Launch ramp open, 60 degrees
East Canyon State Park: Launch ramp open, 59 degrees
Wide Hollow at Escalante State Park: Launch ramp open, 60 degrees
Great Salt Lake State Marina: Launch ramp open, 64 degrees
Gunlock State Park: Launch ramp open, 65 degrees
Huntington State Park: Launch ramp CLOSED, 52 degrees
Hyrum Lake State Park: Launch ramp open, 63 degrees
Jordanelle State Park: Launch ramp open, 45 degrees
Millsite State Park: Launch ramp open, 44 degrees
Otter Creek State Park: Launch ramp open, 62 degrees
Palisade State Park: Launch ramp open, 48 degrees
Piute State Park: Launch ramp open, 64 degrees
Quail Creek State Park: Launch ramp open, 70 degrees
Red Fleet State Park: Launch ramp open, 64 degrees
Rockport State Park: Launch ramp open, 60 degrees
Sand Hollow State Park: Launch ramp open, 67 degrees
Scofield State Park: Launch ramp open, 42 degrees
Starvation State Park: Launch ramp open, 64 degrees
Steinaker State Park: Launch ramp open, 58 degrees
Utah Lake State Park: Launch ramp open, 66 degrees
Willard Bay State Park: North Marina launch ramp open, 63 degrees
Yuba State Park: Launch ramp open, 63 degrees

Utah State Parks Launch and Reservoir Report

Please find below, launch ramp and water conditions as of May 7. All Utah State Parks campgrounds located at lakes and reservoirs are open for the season. Reservations are available by calling (801) 322-3770 or 1-800-322-3770 from outside the Salt Lake area:

Bear Lake State Park Marina: Launch ramp open, 42 degrees
Deer Creek State Park: Launch ramp open, 46 degrees
East Canyon State Park: Launch ramp open, 45 degrees
Wide Hollow at Escalante State Park: Launch ramp open, 55 degrees
Great Salt Lake State Marina: Launch ramp open, 46 degrees
Gunlock State Park: Launch ramp open, 50 degrees
Huntington State Park: Launch ramp CLOSED, 43 degrees
Hyrum Lake State Park: Launch ramp open, 63 degrees
Jordanelle State Park: Launch ramp open, 45 degrees
Millsite State Park: Launch ramp open, 44 degrees
Otter Creek State Park: Launch ramp open, 43 degrees
Palisade State Park: Launch ramp open, 48 degrees
Piute State Park: Launch ramp open, 45 degrees
Quail Creek State Park: Launch ramp open, 59 degrees
Red Fleet State Park: Launch ramp open, 54 degrees
Rockport State Park: Launch ramp open, 45 degrees
Sand Hollow State Park: Launch ramp open, 58 degrees
Scofield State Park: Launch ramp open, 42 degrees
Starvation State Park: Launch ramp open, 52 degrees
Steinaker State Park: Launch ramp open, 54 degrees
Utah Lake State Park: Launch ramp open, 59 degrees
Willard Bay State Park: North Marina launch ramp open, 60 degrees
Yuba State Park: Launch ramp open, 60 degrees

WATER FILLS WILLARD BAY RESERVOIR

Willard - Water levels are rising at Willard Bay, but are expected to peak approximately 10 feet lower than normal. Boating is available at Willard Bay State Park, however with low water levels, boaters should use extreme caution. Camping and boat launching is available at both the north and south marinas.

The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District (WBWCD) are constructing a berm at A.V. Watkins Dam to address seepage damage that occurred last November. The BOR will continue to study possible future, long-term modifications to the dam.

For current conditions or for more information, please call (435) 734-9494.

Lake Powell Fishing Report! - 30+ LBS Stripers.

By: Wayne Gustaveson February 14, 2007
Lake Elevation: 3598 Water Temperature: 48-50 F

The Lake Powell fishing season was opened very early this year with the capture of a huge striped bass from Knowles Canyon. The big fish weighed 32.5 pounds, with a length of 43.75 inches and a 26 inch girth. The lucky angler was Sherm Mcdonnell who lives at Bullfrog and gets to go fishing often.



Sherm is a good angler but admits the catch may have involved some luck. He was in Knowles canyon for the first time and just fished the whole length of the canyon to get to know it. He tried anchovy bait in the deep water and caught a walleye but no stripers. That was only the first strange event. The best bait for 1-2 pound stripers was the chartreuse plastic bass grub on a lead head jig. Bass weren’t interested at all in the plastic offering in the 47 degree water.

Small stripers hit best in the afternoon from 1-3 PM. As the deep water gave way to shallow near the end of the canyon, Sherm picked up his chartreuse bass grub on the light 6' Ugly Stick rod with 6 pound test to try a cast to the shoreline. As the grub descended in the clear water he saw the flash of a nice fish and set the hook. It was a solid hook up and Sherm was sure he had a 10-pounder. The first run was strong but the trolling motor in high gear was enough to keep up as the fish passed under the boat and headed for deep water.

The first run played out in about 40 yards but Sherm couldn't gain much of his 6-pound line back without using the trolling motor to take up the slack. He got just enough back before the second run started. The next run was longer but fairly steady so he was able to keep up with the fish by using the trolling motor. He felt lucky to still have the fish hooked up with some line left on the reel. On a warmer day the runs would have been quicker and longer and the first run may have been the last. Sherm was braced for the next run but the huge fish came to the top and rolled on its side where it was apparent that it was much larger than 10 pounds. The boat and fish finally got close enough together for the net to be slipped under the trophy after an adrenaline filled 15 minute battle




Stripers in the 30 pound class have been caught during the past 3 years during May. Hopefully, this is a sign of more good things to come. Trophy fish are spread through the entire lake. The last three big fish have come from Padre Bay, Rock Creek and the San Juan. Now a 32-pound striper from the northern lake proves that a trophy can be caught anywhere in Lake Powell.

Good luck I hope you catch the next big one.

UTAH STATE PARKS RESERVOIR AND LAKE REPORT - FEBRUARY 12

Ice is melting at many lakes and reservoirs, please use extreme caution.

Bear Lake State Park Marina: Frozen, ice 8"
Deer Creek State Park: Frozen
East Canyon State Park: Frozen - but melting, ice 10-12"
Wide Hollow at Escalante State Park: Frozen
Great Salt Lake State Park Marina: Launch ramp open, 26 degrees
Gunlock State Park: Launch ramp open, 48 degrees
Huntington State Park: Frozen, ice 6-10"
Hyrum Lake State Park: Frozen, ice 9"
Jordanelle State Park: Mostly frozen, melting
Millsite State Park: Frozen, ice 6-10"
Otter Creek State Park: Frozen, ice 8-10"
Palisade State Park: Frozen, ice 6"
Piute State Park: Frozen
Quail Creek State Park: Launch ramp open, 36 degrees
Red Fleet State Park: Frozen, ice 16"
Rockport State Park: Frozen, ice 8-12"
Sand Hollow State Park: Launch ramp open, 37 degrees
Scofield State Park: Frozen, ice 12"
Starvation State Park: Frozen, ice 6"
Steinaker State Park: Frozen, ice 16"
Utah Lake State Park: Frozen
Willard Bay State Park: Some ice
Yuba State Park: Frozen, ice 6-8"
Strawberry: Frozen, ice 12-15"
Flaming Gorge: Mostly frozen, ice 0-18"

State parks offer day-use access and camping. Some facilities remain winterized. For more information, please call 1-800-322-3770.

UTAH STATE PARKS LAUNCH AND WATER CONDITIONS

Bear Lake State Park Marina: OPEN - 35 degrees, 3 inches of ice
Deer Creek State Park: Closed - 32 degrees, frozen over
East Canyon State Park: Closed - 30 degrees, 8 -12 inches of ice
Wide Hollow at Escalante State Park: Closed - 32 degrees, frozen over
Great Salt Lake State Park Marina: OPEN - 26 degrees
Gunlock State Park: OPEN - 48 degrees
Huntington State Park: Closed -- 30 degrees, 3 - 5 inches of ice
Hyrum Lake State Park: Closed -- 39 degrees, 4 inches of ice on west half of lake
Jordanelle State Park: Closed -- 33 degrees, some ice
Millsite State Park: Closed - 30 degrees, 4 - 6 inches of ice
Otter Creek State Park: Closed - 30 degrees, 8 -10 inches of ice
Palisade State Park: Closed - 35 degrees, 4 inches of ice
Piute State Park: Closed -- 30 degrees, frozen over
Quail Creek State Park: OPEN - 40 degrees
Red Fleet State Park: Closed - 34 degrees, 4 - 6 inches of ice
Rockport State Park: Closed - 32 degrees, 5 - 8 inches of ice
Sand Hollow State Park: OPEN - 37 degrees
Scofield State Park: Closed - 32 degrees, 12 + inches of ice
Starvation State Park: Closed - 32 degrees, 3 inches of ice
Steinaker State Park: Closed - 34 degrees, 3 - 5 inches of ice
Utah Lake State Park: Closed - 32 degrees, frozen
Willard Bay State Park: Closed - 32 degrees, some ice
Yuba State Park: Closed - 32 degrees, 3 - 8 inches of ice
Strawberry: Closed - 32 degrees, 20 inches of ice
Flaming Gorge: Closed - 32 degrees, 8 inches of ice

UTAH STATE PARKS WATER / ICE CONDITIONS

Please find below, Utah State Parks current conditions as of January 16, 2007:

Bear Lake State Park Marina: OPEN 35 degrees
Deer Creek State Park: Closed 32 degrees, mostly frozen
East Canyon State Park: Closed 30 degrees, 6 -10 inches of ice
Wide Hollow at Escalante State Park: Closed 32 degrees, frozen
Great Salt Lake State Park Marina: OPEN 46 degrees
Gunlock State Park: OPEN 48 degrees
Huntington State Park: Closed 30 degrees, 3 - 5 inches of ice
Hyrum Lake State Park: Closed 39 degrees, 4 inches of ice on west half of lake Jordanelle State Park: OPEN 33 degrees, some ice
Millsite State Park: Closed 30 degrees, 4 -6 inches of ice
Otter Creek State Park: Closed 30 degrees, 8 - 10 inches of ice
Palisade State Park: Closed 35 degrees, 4 inches of ice
Piute State Park: Closed 30 degrees, frozen
Quail Creek State Park: OPEN 40 degrees
Red Fleet State Park: Closed 35 degrees, 4 - 6 inches of ice
Rockport State Park: Closed 35 degrees, 5 -8 inches of ice
Sand Hollow State Park: OPEN 37 degrees
Scofield State Park: Closed 32 degrees, frozen
Starvation State Park: Closed 32 degrees, 3 inches of ice
Steinaker State Park: Closed 35 degrees, 3 - 5 inches of ice
Utah Lake State Park: Closed 32 degrees, frozen
Willard Bay State Park: Closed 32 degrees, some ice
Yuba State Park: Closed 32 degrees, 3 - 8 inches of ice
Strawberry: OPEN 32 degrees
Flaming Gorge: OPEN 32 degrees