| Division of Wildlife Resources’ aquatics and habitat personnel install a new liner inside the Gigliotti Pond in Helper. The new liner will prevent future leaking, which has threatened the pond’s success since its inception. Gigliotti, which has handicapped access, should be repaired and refilled with water by June or July. |
Trying to get to a good fishing spot can be difficult for Carbon County residents in a wheelchair or with similar physical challenges.
There are a number of fishing waters in southeastern Utah, though, where access is pretty easy.
However, as many of these waters have special regulations, it is recommended that anglers check the 2004 Utah Fishing Proclamation to learn the regulations for the waters where they will be fishing.
Bench’s Pond has a 300-foot walkway which provides excellent access to much of the pond.
In Helper, Gigliotti Pond gives physically challenged anglers easy access to four fishing stations near the water’s edge.
A concrete trail from the parking area leads directly to the stations.
Two of the fishing areas are shaded, and one is signed exclusively for use for the physically challenged.
Anglers should note that Gigliotti Pond is currently being modified and is empty. It should be repaired and refilled with water by June or July.
The Huntington North Reservoir and Millsite Reservoir have a concrete boat ramp and floating pier which provide limited access to anglers.
Recapture Reservoir’s boat ramp also gives limited access dependent on the water level.
In Scofield State Park, a concrete boat ramp, trail and fishing pier provide excellent access.
And finally, the Scofield Reservoir/Beaver Dam area, which opens to fishing the second Saturday in July, has a paved walkway, giving limited access to the northern end of the reservoir dependent on water level.
For more fishing locations outside of southeastern Utah with special access, anglers can contact the Utah State Park internet site at www.stateparks.utah.gov.
In the weekly fishing report, fishing in southeastern Utah has been mixed as the summer months approach. Mountain reservoirs are quickly thawing with unseasonably warm temperatures.
Fish hatcheries are getting ready for their annual pre-Memorial Day stocking of lakes, reservoirs and streams.
•Benches and Boulger Reservoirs – The reservoirs are thawing, but have not been stocked.
•Cleveland Reservoir – The north end was open last weekend. Todd Munford of Big Pine Sports in Fairview reported that fishing with a straight nightcrawler and split shot was the ticket.
He recommends that fly fishermen use sinking line and slow-strip yellow or chartreuse wooly bugger patterns. Not many fish carried over from last year. Munford noted some 14-16 inch rainbows.
•Electric Lake – The lake is open. Mud and snow access continue to be a problem.
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.
The tributaries are closed to fishing until July 10 to protect spawning cutthroat trout.
•Fairview Lakes – The lakes are breaking up but probably won’t be accessible for the next few weeks.
•Gooseberry Reservoir – The U.S. Forest Service gate will remain closed until the road dries out.
•Huntington Creek – Try small dry flies, such as an Adam’s with a light leader.
•Huntington Reservoir – The ice is starting to come off.
Munford reported seeing signs of thawing near the inlets and on the east shoreline. Shoreline angling is expected by this weekend.
Munford recommends using a straight nightcrawler with occasional movement to entice a strike. Tiger trout are healthy and in the 12-17 inch size class. Excellent fishing is expected over the next few weeks.
Fly fishermen should do well with sinking line and brown leech patterns or rust-colored wooly buggers.
•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 – All mountain lakes remain snowed in, except for Hidden and Dons lakes, which have not been stocked. Carry-over fish may still be caught, however.
•Potters Ponds – The ponds remain inaccessible.
•San Juan County – Good fishing continues 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 to good 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 using traditional baits. The inlet has been the best spot to fish.
Foy Reservoir is good with baits and spinners for brook and rainbow trout. Fishing at Ken’s Lake has been fair to good for 10-12 inch rainbows and an occasional brown trout or largemouth bass.
Traditional baits have been working for trout. Mumford recommends jigs or crankbaits for bass.
•Scofield Reservoir – Conservation Officer Stacey Jones reports that fishing success has been best in the early morning.
During daylight hours, fishing has been rather slow-in large part, due to a midge hatch.
Boat anglers have either been trolling along the shoreline or still fishing with worms or PowerBait. Jones said fish are moving into deeper water. Anglers are reminded that tributaries are closed to fishing until July 10.