Utah’s fish hatcheries are getting ready for the annual stocking of lakes, reservoirs and streams for Memorial Day . By the weekend, most popular waters will be freshly planted.
Carbon County anglers are reminded to buy a 2004 fishing license, if they haven’t already done so. Licenses and the 2004 Fishing Proclamation are available at the Price Division of Wildlife Resources office or online at www.wildlife.utah.gov.
•Benches and Boulger Reservoirs – Both are ice-free. Fishing was spotty 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 most promising, although fishing success was sporadic. Todd Mumford of Big Pine Sports in Fairview suggests that anglers use corn-flavored PowerBait, wildfire Power Nuggets, or a straight nightcrawler for carry-over 16-inch rainbow trout. Trout range between 10-13 inches.
•Electric Lake – The lake is open. Biologist Justin Hart recommends using dead minnows below the dam. Fishing was good near the inlet with Panther Martin lures or chrome Jake’s Spin-a-Lures.
Several people have reported good fishing with worms or PowerBait. Trout are running 12-15 inches. Tributaries (inflowing water sources) are closed to fishing until July 10 to protect spawning cutthroats. The lake continues to lose water at the rate of 22 acre-feet per day.
•Fairview Lakes – The lakes are ice-free. Access is limited in shady areas. No stocking has occurred.
•Ferron Reservoir – Access is still closed, due to snow and mud.
•Gigliotti Pond – The DWR and Castle Country Bassmasters have finished installing a leak-proof bottom liner. According to the DWR, soil, rocks and trees have been placed over the liner to enhance fish habitat.
The pond will begin filling on June 10th, and should be full and stocked in early July. A special Kids’ Fishing Event will take place in early September.
•Gooseberry Reservoir – The U.S. Forest Service gate is open. The reservoir is ice-free.
•Huntington Creek – Flows are low and clear below the dam. Dedicated Hunter Cliff Brady reported good fishing last Saturday for fly fishermen using elk hair caddis, pheasant tail, parachute Adams, and renegade fly patterns
•Huntington Reservoir – The reservoir is ice-free. Brady described fishing as excellent last Saturday. Bait fishermen were using PowerBait and worms. Float tubers were using Rapalas and spinner baits.
Munford recommends a straight nightcrawler off the east and north shorelines. Last Sunday, Conservation Officer Stacey Jones reported spotty fishing success. Trout range between 12-17 inches. This lake has special regulations.
•Joes Valley Reservoir – Sergeant Carl Gramlich indicated light fishing pressure last weekend. The boat ramp is open, and boats may be launched for the next month or so.
The best bait is reported to be chub meat or dead minnows. Aquatics Biologist Craig Walker recommends using whole chubs, up to eight inches long, for the really big splake. The trout limit is two; only one over 22 inches; immediately release all trout from 15-22.
Lasal Mountains – Conservation Officer Vance Mumford said that Hidden and Dons lakes are still the only easily accessible mountain lakes. Hidden Lake has offered good fishing for pan-sized rainbow trout. Dons Lake holds splake and tiger trout, but has had little angler pressure. The Dark Canyon road is muddy, but the lake is reachable.
•Miller Flat Reservoir – The U.S. Forest Service opened the Miller Flat-Cottonwood Canyon Loop Road on May 16th.
•Potters Ponds – The ponds remain inaccessible. The gate across the road remains closed.
•San Juan County – Conservation Officer Randall Scheetz reports good fishing at Blanding 3 and Blanding 4 reservoirs with traditional baits. At Recapture Reservoir, fishing for northern pike was fair with spinners from the shore or with Rapalas from a boat.
Scheetz notes that some anglers have been catching catfish at Recapture with worms near the old highway on the Blanding side. Foy and Monticello have been good during the day and have been excellent in the evening.
Scheetz recommends traditional baits during the day and spinners in the evening. Vance Mumford said that fishing at Ken’s Lake was good for 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout. Mumford indicates that bass fishing is picking up for anglers using plastic worms and small crankbaits.
Most bass range between seven to 10 inches with a few exceeding two pounds.
Scofield Reservoir – Jones reports that fishing success was poor, due to a huge hatch of midges, which cover the water and shoreline.
Trout have been filling up on insects and ignoring angler offerings. Last weekend, anglers used Kastmaster lures, Rapalas, PowerBait, worms, and marshmallows. Anglers are reminded that tributaries are closed to fishing until July 10.
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