Early November fishing report

By Sun Advocate

The best fishing of the year is currently underway according to the Division of Wildlife Resources.
“Anglers are encouraged to harvest rainbow trout from high mountain lakes before snow makes road access impossible,” explained Louis Berg, DWR aquatics manager. “The best fishing of the year is right now!”
Joes Valley Reservoir is now closed to fishing. As of 6:00 a.m., on Nov. 1, Joes Valley Reservoir closed to fishing until Dec. 14. When the reservoir reopens to fishing, the trout limit will be two, of which only one can be over 22 inches. All trout 15 to 22 inches must be immediately released. The intent is to protect the big spawning splake, which congregate in shallow water and are very vulnerable to foul hooking. We need the big adult fish to help control the Utah chub population, which were illegally introduced by fishermen using live minnows as bait.
•Abajo Mountains. Foy Reservoir continues to provide good fishing with baits and lures. There is very little fishing opportunity at Monticello Reservoir, due to dam construction. Very little fishing pressure has been observed at Blanding number three, Recapture Reservoir, and Lloyds Lake.
•Duck Fork Reservoir. There are presently no fish in Duck Fork Reservoir.
•Electric Lake. Anglers may take a limit of eight fish using any legal bait. Worms and PowerBait have worked very well.
•Ferron Reservoir. Anglers are encouraged to harvest brook trout, which were illegally planted. The brookies have multiplied rapidly, stunting their own growth and depriving the other trout species of forage and space.
•Gigliotti Pond. The DWR has restocked the Gigliotti Pond in recent weeks. About 500 rainbow trout as well as some bluegill and bass went into the pond in early to mid-October. Anglers are encouraged to harvest trout before the pond freezes.
•Huntington Creek. “Now is a good time of year for anglers to fish Huntington Creek,” advised Berg, “Water flows in the right fork are low due to reduced releases from Electric Lake. In another month, snow and ice will make fishing tough.” From Flood and Engineer’s Canyon upstream to the dam, only artificial flies may be used. The limit is two fish. On the left fork, only artificial flies and lures may be used. Anglers are encouraged to harvest brown trout there.
•Huntington Reservoir (near the top of Huntington Canyon). Fishing has been good from a float tube using a black leech pattern. Release of tiger trout is encouraged so that fish can grow larger. Please harvest any brown trout you catch. The reservoir is closed to the possession of cutthroat trout and trout with cutthroat markings.
•Joes Valley Reservoir. The reservoir is closed to fishing as of Nov. 1 and will remain closed until Dec. 14. When the reservoir reopens to fishing, the trout limit will be two. No more than one trout may be over 22 inches. All trout 15 to 22 inches must be immediately released. This regulation change will protect the large spawning splake, which are very vulnerable in November and early December. In addition, splake from 15 to 22 inches are needed to help reduce the chubs, which were illegally introduced as live bait.
•Lake Powell. The Lake Powell fishing report home page is:http://www.wayneswords.com. DWR biologist and project leader, Wayne Gustaveson, updates fishing conditions at this website weekly. He provides detailed information on locations, tackle and techniques for each species in the lake. In 2002, an unlimited number of striped bass may be kept. The smallmouth bass limit is 20, and the largemouth bass limit is five.
•LaSal Mountains. No report.
•Price River. Recommended fly patterns include the Hare’s Ear or Double Ugly.
•Scofield Reservoir. Fishing is good at Scofield Reservoir. Anglers have been doing well from shore, float tubes, kick boats, and other boats, using a variety of flies, lures and baits.
•Straight Canyon. Water flows are optimal for fishing. This is a great time of year to catch brown trout by fly-fishing with nymphs.