My first introduction to drift fishing actually happened by accident. I laid down on the bottom of the canoe, secured my fishing pole in the rod holder and enjoyed the gentle rocking of the waves. The clouds floated overhead, my eyelids began to close, and then…WHAM!

Today’s tackle options are almost limitless when you consider all the different lures and their variations in size, weight and color. If you want to stock your tackle box with some productive fishing gear, consider the following choices for this upcoming fishing season.

When the ice thaws in the spring, a whole winter’s worth of shad carcasses are released. Wind and wave action push the shad to shore, and that’s where you can find catfish doing their “spring cleaning.”

There aren’t many more scenic places to fish than the Uinta Mountains — especially in the fall. Summer crowds have dwindled, the fish are biting and you see vibrant colors everywhere, whether you’re looking at leaves or trout!

After a long, cold winter, we’re ready for warm, sunny days on the water. The ice has just come off Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and its coldwater fish — particularly its rainbow trout — are now very active. As daytime temperatures rise, the trout begin to concentrate on…

Walleye fishing has become more popular in Utah, and it’s easy to see why. These large fish can be tricky to catch, and they’re really tasty! When I want to fish for walleye, I usually head to Starvation Reservoir.

As a fisheries biologist and an eager fisherman, I love the changing seasons. I’m already anxiously awaiting the bass spawn on Lake Powell in May and early season kokanee/rainbow fishing on Flaming Gorge. And it’s not just me — the whole family gets excited.

You can catch catfish throughout the year, but they are a popular summertime fish. They thrive in warm water and will bite on even the hottest days. Surprisingly, catfishing is also great just after ice-out on many of Utah’s lakes. This is when catfish swim along the windblown shores, gorging on the carcasses of…