ABAJO MOUNTAINS: (July 03) Higher-elevation waters such as Monticello Lake and Foy Reservoir will offer the best fishing. Fly-fishing anglers typically out-fish bait anglers at Foy. Spin-casters at Foy will have a difficult time keeping their lures above aquatic vegetation. At Recapture Reservoir, the pike continue to take crankbaits. Bass have been hooked with jigs and spoons.
BENCHES POND: (July 03) The weather is very hot, so anglers need to be on the water before the sun rises or after it sets. The best bait choices are a worm-and-marshmallow combination or a worm with rainbow-sparkle PowerBait.
BOULGER RESERVOIR: (July 03) This past weekend, fishing was good with rainbow-sparkle PowerBait, worms or a combination of these two baits. For the best results, fish during the cool of the morning or evening.
CARBON COUNTY COMMUNITY FISHING POND: (July 03) The pond has been stocked with plenty of eight to nine inch rainbows. The weather is very hot and there isn’t much shade, so you’ll want to fish before the sun rises or after it sets. It’s best to fish deeper water with the bait suspended just off the bottom. Try a worm-and-marshmallow combination or a worm with PowerBait in chartreuse or rainbow sparkle.
CLEVELAND RESERVOIR: (July 03) On June 26, Tom Ogden flyfished from a kick boat from 3:30–5:30 p.m. In those two hours, he caught 11 rainbow trout that ranged from 11 to 17 inches long. Ogden used size four sinking line and a variety of wet flies, including size six beadhead woolly buggers and soft-hackle flies and size four olive leeches. He indicated that seven of the trout were 16 to 17 inches long and were obviously holdover fish from 2012. Ogden fished near the bottom in 15 to 30 feet of water. He recommends that anglers fish from a watercraft rather than shore, where the water is warmer and more shallow. On June 29, Conservation Officer Devin Christensen checked anglers and described that fishing was slow to fair. Christensen spoke with one angler who was catching one to two fish per hour, using a worm in combination with a PowerBait nugget in rainbow sparkle.
COLORADO RIVER: (July 03) Walt Maldonado reports good fishing for catfish with chicken liver, nightcrawlers and commercial bait.
DUCK FORK RESERVOIR: (July 03) On June 22, Ogden flyfished from a kick boat for five hours. He caught four tigers and 14 cutthroats. All trout ranged in size from 13 to 18 inches. He used fast-sinking line and beadhead woolly buggers, leeches and soft-hackle flies. Most fish were caught in 15 to 24 feet of water near the bottom. Aquatics Biologist Calvin Black recommends that anglers use a scud pattern, nymph or black leech with a strike indicator. For those fishing with lures, Black recommends a Jakes or Panther Martin in silver.
ELECTRIC LAKE: (July 03) The best fishing occurs in the early morning or evening. Aquatics Technician Tyrel Mills recommends a Jakes lure in gold or silver. Redside shiners are also effective and can be caught in minnow traps at the lake. Sportfish Biologist Black recommends using dog food to bait the trap. On June 24, Ogden flyfished for five and a half hours and caught five cutthroats and three tigers, all ranging from 15 to 17 inches. He used fast-sinking line and soft-hackle flies, woolly buggers, leeches or Canada blood leeches — all with beadheads. On June 29, Conservation Officer Christensen checked anglers and said the best bait was a dead redside shiner. Christensen interviewed one angler who had used redside shiners and had caught a number of cutthroat and tiger trout ranging from 14 to 17 inches. Fishing was slower for those who used worms. Anglers in boats have an advantage over bank anglers because the fish move into deeper water at this time of year.
FAIRVIEW LAKES: (July 03) Chet Andersen, board member of the Cottonwood-Gooseberry Irrigation Co. reports that remodeling of the dam at Fairview Lakes was scheduled to begin on July 1. The dam is earthen and needs to be strengthened. Complete dewatering is expected by July 18. Because of this remodeling project, the daily bag and possession limit at Fairvew Lakes has been temporarily increased to eight trout.
FERRON CREEK: (July 03) Fishing has been good in the creek below the reservoir. Try using mosquito or nymph patterns.
FERRON RESERVOIR: (July 03) Fishing has been fair to good for anglers who use worms with PowerBait or worms with marshmallows. Fish during the cool times of day for the best results.
GIGLIOTTI POND: (July 03) Fishing has been great over the past few weeks. The best baits have been PowerBait (in chartreuse or rainbow with sparkles), nightcrawlers or both. The best artificial flies have been mosquito and woolly bugger patterns.
GOOSEBERRY RESERVOIR: (July 03) Conservation Officer Christensen checked anglers on June 29 and indicated that one party of anglers, fishing from the dam, caught three to four fish per hour with rainbow-sparkle PowerBait. Christensen reminds anglers that the tributary is closed to fishing until July 13.
GRASSY LAKE: (July 03) This higher-elevation pond is usually good in July with a variety of baits, lures and artificial flies.
HUNTINGTON CREEK: (July 03) The Seeley Fire, and the subsequent flooding and erosion, killed all fish in the creek. The creek will not be restocked this year.
HUNTINGTON GAME FARM POND: (July 03) Restocking occurred in May, but there hasn’t been much fishing pressure. Fishing should be fair to good if you’re out on the water near sunrise.
HUNTINGTON NORTH RESERVOIR: (July 03) Summer water sports and recreational boaters will dominate the reservoir. Anglers are advised to fish at the crack of dawn and then retreat to higher elevations during the day and into the evening. Remember to pass by Huntington Creek, which doesn’t have fish after last year’s fire.
HUNTINGTON RESERVOIR: (July 03) This reservoir is also known as Mammoth Reservoir. On June 26, Ogden flyfished from a kick boat on the upper end from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. During that time, he caught 40 tiger trout, ranging from 12 to 17 inches. He used size four sinking line with a beadhead woolly bugger or soft-hackle fly. He also used a size four beadhead olive leech. Ogden fished in 15 to 25 feet of water, and most fish were caught near the bottom. He talked to two anglers from Sanpete County. They had their limits of trout by noon. The pair had been trolling with pop gear and a worm. On June 29, Office Christensen checked anglers and found very few who were catching fish. His report conflicted with Ogden’s account, suggesting that fly-fishing and boating anglers will have better success than those who fishing from the shoreline with bait.
JOES VALLEY RESERVOIR: (July 03) On June 25, JD Abbott and a partner fished for eight hours. During that time, they caught three tiger muskies that ranged from 24 to 35 inches. They were caught on the west side and in the middle of the reservoir, using a silver Jakes or Kastmaster. They also caught 20 splake along the rock wall on the east side. They first located a school with a fish finder, and then jigged with tube jigs, tipped with chub meat. Most splake were 14 to 15 inches long. On June 28, Aquatics Biologist Black fished the reservoir from a boat. He recommends that anglers fish around rocks near the shoreline for tiger muskies. Due to the size of these fish and clarity of the water, tiger muskies are visible as they hide behind structure. Black suggests working crankbaits in front of them to provoke a strike. For splake, Black recommends that anglers fish from boats in 40 to 50 feet of water and use tube jigs tipped with chub meat. This water has special regulations. Please consult the guidebook.
LA SAL MOUNTAINS: (July 03) High-elevation lakes were most productive over the July 4 weekend. These included Dark Canyon and Medicine Lake, followed by Oowah and Warner. Fish at the break of dawn. Where a lot of insects are present, try matching the hatch. Nightcrawlers with PowerBait or nightcrawlers with marshmallows have been effective in the past. Maldonado reports good fishing at Dons and Hidden lakes with red or chartreuse PowerBait, a marshmallow-and-worm combination or Velveeta cheese.
LOWER FISH CREEK: (July 03) Fly and lure anglers have had good luck in the middle and lower stretches for bigger trout. The upper reaches are often good in the early morning, especially for fly-fishing anglers who can run a nymph under over-hanging banks. Special regulations apply. Please see the Utah Fishing Guidebook.
LOWER GREEN RIVER: (July 03) Maldonado reports good fishing for catfish with traditional baits, chicken liver, nightcrawlers and store-bought baits.
MILLER FLAT RESERVOIR: (July 03) Last weekend, anglers reported slow fishing. Conservation Officer Christensen recommends using worms for bait. The best fishing is often along the dam.
MILLSITE RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (July 03) Because there’s so much recreational boat traffic, anglers should fish at dawn and then travel up the mountain to higher-elevation waters such as Ferron and Duck Fork Reservoir.
PETES HOLE: (July 03) Baits, lures and artificial flies can all be productive. Carry an assortment just in case.
POTTERS PONDS: (July 03) Both ponds are well-stocked. However, the campground will be full and campers will be out in force. Fish at dawn or dusk for the best bite. Artificial flies, matching the hatch, will usually be the most productive.
PRICE RIVER: (July 03) Maldonado reports good fishing with spinners, Jake’s Spin-A-Lures and black woolly buggers.
RIGHT FORK OF HUNTINGTON CREEK: (July 03) The creek has not had any fish since the Seeley Fire last year.
SCOFIELD RESERVOIR: (July 03) On June 28, Ogden flyfished on the west side from 6 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. He fished in water that was about 15 feet deep. In that time period, he caught two small rainbows and nine cutthroats, one of which weighed three pounds, 10 ounces. The rest of the cutthroats ranged from 11 to 13 inches. Along with the trout, he caught 32 chubs. Ogden fished with size two sinking line and used size six beadhead soft-hackle flies and size eight beadhead olive leeches. Conservation Officer Christensen checked anglers on June 28. In general, fishing was fair. Fishing from a boat is far better than fishing from shore. Christensen recommends that boaters fish off the bottom with chub meat. For boaters, the bite drops off near noon. It stops much sooner for bank anglers. Shoreline anglers need to be on the water at dawn for the best success. Trout favor cold water and will retreat into deeper, cooler water as day breaks. Christensen recommends that bait-fishing shoreline anglers should use a worm-and-marshmallow combination. Spincasters should start with a gold Jake’s lure. Most of the shoreline catch will consist of small trout ranging from 10 to 12 inches. Scofield Reservoir has special regulations including a slot limit. Please consult the Utah Fishing Guidebook. Scofield’s tributaries are closed to fishing until July 13.
SOUP BOWL: (July 03) Begin with traditional baits and then try artificial flies if baits fail to bring in fish. Spin-casters will have to reel in quickly to avoid hooking aquatic vegetation.
STRAIGHT CANYON CREEK: (July 03) Fly-fishing anglers have the best luck in deeper holes and nearby runs.
WILLOW LAKE: (July 03) The lake has been recently stocked. Because the holiday weekend will be crowded, fish in the early morning for the best results. Traditional baits have been effective.
WRIGLEY SPRINGS RESERVOIR: (July 03) Fish early or late with a worm-and-PowerBait combination for the best success