Northern Region report

Information compiled by Phil Douglass
DWR Northern Region Conservation Outreach Manager

ATTENTION: Quagga and zebra mussels are a major threat to Utah waterways. Read how you can help keep them out of Utah.

Updated October 1

BEAR LAKE: Biologist Scott Tolentino reports fishing is improving as water temperatures continue to cool. Anglers are having some success catching lake trout and cutthroat off of the rock pile using gigs in 85 feet of water.

EAST CANYON STATE PARK: Staff reports that the lake is at 68 percent capacity with water levels dropping, but that fishing is good. Jim Morkin from Rocky Mountain Anglers reports "Rainbows are hitting towed #4 rattletraps (blue top on white bottom) pulled 120 feet behind the boat at 1.5 mph or so. They're coming up from 30 to 40 feet to bang the lure. The average length seems to be around 14 inches. There are a few anchor worms, but it's not too bad for this late in the year. Smallmouths are few and far between, most likely because they are feeding too well on crawdads and this year's young. Crappie are hard to find except for under the launch ramp floats, in the upper end and at the back of the coves (at certain times). I attribute this to the low water levels. My GPS gives a water level reading that is down about 35 feet from full pool."

HYRUM STATE PARK: Park Ranger Floyd Powell reports that anglers are having success catching some nice trout from the shore using rainbow PowerBait. Fishing for perch, bass and bluegill is still slow.

LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: Conservation Officer Keith Fullenkamp reports that anglers are having success catching rainbow trout, some of which are up to 18 inches. Anglers are also catching a few cutthroats. Green PowerBait on the bottom seems to be working best. Anglers on the lower dam end of the reservoir were having little success.

NEWTON RESERVOIR: Conservation Officer Rob Johnson reports that the water level continues to lower. Anglers are having good success for Muskies using different lures. Perch and fire tiger colored patterns remain popular. As a reminder, whole or live fish are not legal to use as bait, although cut perch may be used as bait.

OGDEN RIVER (Rainbow Gardens): Conservation Officer Chad Wilson reports that anglers are having some success catching browns and rainbows using spinners.

OGDEN RIVER (South Fork): Habitat work on the section of river below Causey has resulted in great conditions and good fishing for browns and cutthroat trout. You can watch a video of biologist Paul Burnett explaining the habitat improvement project at utahwildlifevideos.blogspot.com.

ROCKPORT STATE PARK: Staff reports that the fishing is starting to pick up with the cooling water temperatures. Rockport will be closed from October 1 to October 14 as UDOT replaces the bridge coming into the park. The west side will remain open along Highway 32.

UINTAS MOUNTAINS LAKES AND STREAMS: The weather is great for fall fishing, but be prepared for changing weather. For the Uintas, a bonus limit of four brook trout can be added to the regular bag limit. Copper and brass color lures work great for the aggressive (and colorful) brookies. Get a copy of one of the "Lakes of the High Uintas" booklets from the Department of Natural Resources bookstore at mapstore.utah.gov/dnrpages/wildlife.htm. These booklets have information about so many lakes and streams that it would take you a lifetime to explore them all!