Updated fishing report for southeastern Utah

By Sun Advocate

Utah’s fish hatcheries are getting ready for their annual pre-Memorial Day stocking of lakes, reservoirs and streams.
By Memorial Day weekend, most popular waters will be freshly planted. Carbon County anglers are reminded to buy a 2004 fishing license in preparation for the holiday weekend. Licenses and the 2004 Fishing Proclamation are available at the Price Division of Wildlife Resources Offices or on-line at www.wildlife.utah.gov.
•Benches and Boulger Reservoirs – Both are ice-free. Fishing has been good for carryover fish. Stocking is expected before month’s end.
•Cleveland Reservoir – The reservoir is ice-free. The north inlet and west shoreline have been the best bets, according to Todd Munford of Big Pine Sports in Fairview.
He suggests that area anglers use corn-flavored PowerBait, wildfire Power Nuggets, or a straight nightcrawler for carry-over 16-inch rainbow trout. Conservation Officer Mike Milburn reports fair fishing for 10-13 inch rainbows. Milburn recommends salmon eggs and PowerBait.
•Electric Lake – The lake is open. Mud and snow continue to be a problem, however. Biologist Justin Hart reported good fishing with dead minnows below the dam. Fishing has been good near the inlet with Panther Martin lures or chrome Jake’s Spin-a-Lures. Sergeant Carl Gramlich said fishing with nightcrawlers has been good for 12-15 inch cutthroat trout. Tributaries (inflowing water sources) are closed to fishing until July 10 to protect spawning cutthroats.
•Fairview Lakes – The lakes are ice-free. Access is limited in shady areas. No stocking has occurred.
•Gigliotti Pond – The DWR is currently putting a bottom liner in the pond to prevent future leaking. After work is completed, the pond will be refilled. The DWR hopes to have this fishery in operation in June or July. A special Kids’ Fishing Event will take place in early September.
•Gooseberry Reservoir – The U.S. Forest Service gate remains closed, but the reservoir is ice-free.
•Huntington Creek – Flows are low and clear below the dam. Try small dry flies with light leader at midday, or a large attractor pattern with a small midge dropper. Fishing in the fly-only zone has been fair.
•Huntington Reservoir – The reservoir is ice-free. Munford indicates that fishing has been fair with a straight nightcrawler off the east and north shorelines. Fly fishermen will start picking up tigers 30-40 yards out from the shore with pontoon boats or float tubes.
He recommends that fly anglers slowly troll parallel to the shoreline with rust-colored wooly buggers or brown leech patterns.
Milburn reported moderate pressure and good fishing last weekend for 12-17 inch tiger trout. Nightcrawlers were working best.
•Joes Valley Reservoir – The trout limit is two; only one over 22 inches; all trout from 15-22 inches must be immediately released.
•Lasal Mountains – Conservation Officer Vance Mumford said that Hidden and Don’s lakes are the only mountain lakes which are accessible. One angler reported good luck with dry flies at Hidden Lake.
Mumford reports fishing at Don’s for holdover splake and tiger trout has been fair.
•Potters Pond – The ponds remain inaccessible.
•San Juan County – Conservation Officer Randall Scheetz reports good fishing at Blanding 3 and Blanding 4 reservoirs with traditional baits such as marshmallows, PowerBait or salmon eggs. Pike fishing at Recapture Reservoir has been fair for northern pike.
Anglers should try spinners from shore or use Rapalas while trolling. Lloyd’s Lake has been fair from shore for rainbow trout near the inlet. Foy Reservoir is good with baits and spinners for brook and rainbow trout. Fishing at Ken’s Lake has been good for 10-12 inch rainbows and an occasional brown trout or largemouth bass, according to Vance Mumford.
Mumford recommends that bass anglers keep nightcrawlers, plastic worms or tube jigs moving along the bottom.
•Scofield Reservoir – Gramlich reports generally slow fishing. Success has been better on the west side with worms and marshmallows. Anglers are reminded that tributaries are closed to fishing until July 10.