Southern Region report

Information compiled by Mike Hadley
DWR Southern Region Aquatics Biologist

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

Updated August 27

BAKER RESERVOIR: Heavy algae blooms and low water. Fishing is slow.

BARKER RESERVOIRS, NORTH CREEK LAKES: Fair to good success in Barker and Lower Barker for stocked rainbows and a few brooks. Nice brook trout are found in Flat, Yellow and Joe Lay. Try fishing with dark-colored marabou jigs and wooly buggers near any structure like floating logs, submerged grass, large boulders and undercut banks. Special regulations on many of the Boulder Mountain waters include a trout limit of four, only two of which may be over 14 inches.

BEAVER MOUNTAIN LAKES: Fishing pressure has dropped off, but there should be one more push this weekend. Water conditions in most lakes are good, except Three Creeks, which is dry. Kents and Upper Kents are at conservation pool level. Upper Kents has an algae bloom, but all other lakes are clear. Fishing is fair overall with some good moments. Anderson Meadow reservoir is the most consistent producer. Most of the fish caught on the mountain are catchable rainbow trout. The larger fish and other fish species should pick up as the waters begin to cool. Public access at Puffer Lake is restricted to 100 yards of shoreline on the southwest end. Look for the small area that is not posted.

BEAVER RIVER, LOWER: Irrigation flows are high but still fishable, though turbidity can be a problem. Much of the river is on private property, so please treat the area with respect. Much of the private land is open to walk-in access, but some is closed to trespass so watch for signs.

BEAVER RIVER, UPPER: Small rainbows and browns are abundant and will take most lures and flies. Try flashy spinners or a hopper-dropper rig. Not much pressure. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease by cleaning mud from waders and equipment. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

BOULDER MTN LAKES: Fishing is fair to good in all areas of the mountain. If fishing is slow at one lake, move on to another. For brook trout, try fishing with dark-colored marabou jigs and wooly buggers near any structure like floating logs, submerged grass, large boulders and undercut banks. Special regulations on many of the Boulder Mountain waters include a trout limit of four, only two of which may be over 14 inches.

CHALK CREEK: Wild rainbows are abundant and can be caught with spinners and flies. The best fishing is away from the campground and the more heavily fished spots. Some catchable-sized rainbows are stocked in the campground. The North Fork provides a good spot for those willing to hike. Meadow Creek and Pioneer Creek are other small streams in the area that contain populations of small, wild trout.

CLEAR CREEK: Reports of fair to good fishing for small rainbows and browns with dries and nymphs.

CORN CREEK: Wild brown trout are abundant and can be caught with spinners and flies. Some catchable-sized rainbows are stocked in the campground.

DUCK CREEK SPRINGS/ASPEN MIRROR LAKE: Catchable-sized rainbows have been stocked and fishing is fair to good with popular baits. Also try lures or flies for more of a challenge.

EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER KINGSTON CANYON: Flows and turbidity are high due to irrigation releases, but the river is still fishable. Fishing was slow to fair. Sampling this spring found that trout numbers are down from recent years. There is public access on a section of Kingston Canyon midway through the canyon that was purchased through the Blue Ribbon Program. Look for the signs. Most of the remainder of the canyon is private and posted, so ask permission first.

EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER BLACK CANYON: Flows are good and generally clear, but can be muddy for days after a rainstorm. Fair to good fishing for browns and some cutthroat and rainbows. Special regulations for the section of river from the BLM property boundary (about four miles south of Antimony) upstream to the confluence with Deer Creek only allow the use of artificial flies and lures and include a limit of two trout. Some private land is closed to trespass, so watch for the signs.

EAST FORK SEVIER RIVER ABOVE TROPIC RES: No recent reports. Small trout are abundant from Kanab Creek upstream.

ENTERPRISE RESERVOIR, UPPER AND LOWER: Catchable rainbows have been stocked in the lower reservoir. The upper reservoir will not be stocked this year due to the continued repair work on the dam. Extra fish have been stocked in the lower reservoir to help compensate for the loss of the upper reservoir this year. A fish consumption advisory was issued for rainbow trout in Upper Enterprise Reservoir due to elevated levels of mercury. It is recommended that adults limit their consumption to one eight-ounce portion per month. Women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children should limit their consumption to one two-ounce portion per month. For further details, visit www.fishadvisories.utah.gov.

FISH LAKE: Trolling for rainbows using popgear or small lures is good to excellent. Bait fishing can also produce. The average size of rainbows seems to be a little higher this year. A few splake are caught trolling or jigging at 60-70 feet. Fast action for perch in and just outside the weeds. Try jigs tipped with worms or perch meat. Trolling for lake trout is generally slow, with a few fish caught by patient anglers. Make sure your lures imitate the lakers' forage: rainbows, chubs and perch. Note: A few tiger muskies have moved up from Johnson Reservoir. The general statewide limit on tiger musky applies here — 1 fish, which must be over 40 inches.

FORSYTH RESERVOIR: The water level is very low and boat launching is not recommended. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

FREMONT RIVER: Flows are a little high and turbid above Mill Meadow Reservoir, though fishing for small and medium–sized browns can be good to excellent with flies or flashy spinners. The lower sections of the stream can be good at any time of year if the water is not turbid. Much of the lower stream is on private land. Ask for permission before fishing on private land. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease by cleaning mud from waders and equipment. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

GUNLOCK RESERVOIR: The water level is dropping in preparation for draining this fall. Because the fishery will be lost with the draining, the daily bag and possession limits at Gunlock have been increased to 12 largemouth bass without size restrictions, 16 channel catfish, 100 bluegill and green sunfish in the aggregate, and 100 crappie. A fish consumption advisory was issued for largemouth bass from Gunlock due to elevated levels of mercury. It is recommended that adults limit their consumption of largemouth bass to two eight-ounce portions per month. Women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers and children should limit their consumption to one four-ounce portion per month. For further details, visit www.fishadvisories.utah.gov.

JOHNSON RESERVOIR: The water level has dropped. Fishing for tiger muskies is hit and miss, with most anglers throwing rapalas. Don't be afraid to try the weirdest thing in your tackle box. A few fish over 40 inches have been caught this year. The reservoir contains an abundance of suckers, Utah chubs and small yellow perch. Special regulations: Whole fish and amphibians are not allowed as bait. Cut bait must be no longer than one inch in any dimension and only one piece per hook. Limit one tiger musky over 40 inches. All tiger muskies less than 40 inches must be immediately released.

KOLOB RESERVOIR: Very little pressure. Fishing is very slow. Trolling is usually most effective in the summer. Special regulations include artificial flies and lures only, and a limit of one trout, which must be over 18 inches. Scented jigs are not allowed. Tributary streams are closed to fishing until July 12. Please call the poaching hotline (1-800-662-DEER) to report violations.

KOOSHAREM RESERVOIR: Fishing is fair for cutthroat. Weeds should get thick soon.

LOWER BOWNS RESERVOIR: The water level has dropped to the conservation pool and much of the shoreline is very muddy. Lots of pressure on the weekends. Fishing for rainbows is good to excellent with any bait or fly.

MAMMOTH CREEK: Flows are low and clear. Fishing is good for small browns with spinners. Public access is possible on some of Mammoth Creek west of Highway 89. Please watch for and respect private property postings. Special regulations apply to a section of Mammoth Creek. Check the proclamation for details. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

MILL MEADOW RESERVOIR: Perch fishing is good to excellent. Slow action for trout. Medium-sized brown trout are abundant. These brown trout are wild fish spawned in the Fremont River. It is very unique to find such a dense population of wild brown trout in a reservoir. Best techniques for the browns are flashy lures, streamers and natural baits like night crawlers and minnows. Good-sized perch up to 10 inches are semi-abundant. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

MINERSVILLE RESERVOIR: Water level is low, though it hasn't reached the conservation pool yet. The water is getting a little turbid. Almost no fishing pressure. Smallmouth bass fishing was good much of the summer. Work the rocky shorelines with curly-tail jigs or lures that imitate crayfish and chubs. Trout fishing is slow. The trout are skinny and easily stressed due to warm water. Please reduce playing and handling time to avoid hooking mortality. Special regulations include artificial flies and lures only, and a limit of one trout, which must be over 22 inches. Scented jigs are not allowed. Please call the poaching hotline (1-800-662-DEER) to report violations. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

MONROE MOUNTAIN LAKES: Most lakes are producing well (Big, Deep, Annabella, Upper and Lower Box Creek Reservoirs). Most anglers are using bait, though some are doing well using fly and bubble combos in the evenings. Fair to good fishing at Manning Meadow for cutthroat up to 16 inches with an assortment of lures. Remember these special regulations: The Manning Meadow Reservoir trout limit is one fish over 22 inches, artificial flies and lures only. The Barney Lake trout limit is two, artificial flies and lures only.

NAVAJO LAKE: Not much pressure. Fishing should pick up for rainbows and splake as water temperatures cool. Splake are very abundant. Some 18– to 19–inch fish are present. Trolling is producing more rainbows than shore fishing. For splake, try lures, streamers or jigs tipped with chub meat.

NEWCASTLE RESERVOIR: Most anglers are catching a few wipers, with some periods of very good fishing. Best success trolling or casting gold crankbaits (Frenzies, Rapalas, etc.) or wooly buggers. Wipers can be caught anywhere on the lake, but much of the best success is right next to shore. When fishing from shore, work the dam and nearby shorelines. Smallmouth fishing is fair to good for small to medium-sized fish, with several fish over two pounds. Try a variety of soft plastics, crankbaits and even streamers. Keep switching tactics until you find something that works. Recent sampling has found that 3- to 4-pound wipers are abundant and spread out through various depths. Try trolling minnow-imitating lures for wipers. Experiment with various speeds and depths. Please remember that golden shiners are not approved for use as fresh or frozen bait. A fish consumption advisory was issued for rainbow trout in Newcastle Reservoir due to elevated levels of mercury. It is recommended that adults limit their consumption to two eight-ounce portions per month. Women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers and children should limit their consumption to one four-ounce portion per month. For further details, visit www.fishadvisories.utah.gov.

OTTER CREEK RESERVOIR: Water level is at 29%, but boats can still be launched. Fishing is slow, but should pick up as water temperatures cool later in September. Lumps and sores are showing up on some rainbows at Otter Creek. These are caused by a skin infection brought on by the warm water temperature. This infection affects only the skin, so the flesh is safe to eat once fully cooked. The infection will dissipate as the water cools later in the fall. Please prevent the spread of whirling disease. Do not transport any parts of fish caught here to other waters.

PANGUITCH LAKE: The lake has an algae bloom and fishing is generally slow. Special Regulations: The limit is four trout, which must be less than 15 inches or over 22 inches. Anglers must release all trout 15 to 22 inches long. Trout caught at Panguitch Lake cannot be filleted, or have the head or tail removed until you get home or to a camp. Some tributaries are closed until July 12 — check the Utah Fishing Guide for which streams are closed. Tips for releasing fish in the slot (15 to 22 inches): If a fish swallows the hook, please cut the line to avoid mortality. A fish can pass a swallowed hook and survive, while digging the hook out will almost certainly kill the fish. Also try fishing with single hooks instead of treble hooks.

PARAGONAH (RED CREEK) RESERVOIR: Fishing is generally slow. Rainbows are very abundant. Harvest is encouraged to allow fish to stay in balance with the food base.

PINE LAKE: No recent reports.

PINE VALLEY RESERVOIR: Catchable rainbows have been stocked.

PIUTE RESERVOIR: Water level has dropped to 14%. Boat launching may become difficult soon. Fishing is slow.

QUAIL LAKE: Little pressure. Fishing is fair. Fish early and late to avoid the heat. Remember the special regulations for bass: four bass under 10 inches and two over 20 inches.

SAND COVE RESERVOIRS: Good numbers of largemouth bass and bluegill in both reservoirs. Fishing is fair to good.

SAND HOLLOW RESERVOIR: Water temperatures are in the low 80s. The water level was dropped in preparation for building a new boat ramp on the south end. Bass fishing is good to excellent. Small fish are found just about everywhere, while large fish are found closer to brush, rock edges or in deeper water. Dark-colored senkos are a popular bait. Also try deep-diving crankbaits for larger fish. Some topwater action lately. Bluegill have moved deeper again, but are still being caught with a worm and bobber. Try fishing early and late to avoid the heat and the water skiers. New regulations: Bass limit is six, with one over 12 inches. Public access to the reservoir is available only through the State Park. Change in access: Access to Sand Hollow State Park has changed to 3700 West (Sand Hollow Road). The road that previously accessed the park, 4300 W (Turfsod) was closed. The new road is a half-mile east on SR 9 from the old entrance.

SEVIER RIVER (UPPER), ASAY CREEK: Flows are low and generally clear. Most of the trout water on the upper Sevier is located upstream (south) from the town of Hatch. Intermittent sections of good habitat are present above Hatch and easily accessible from Highway 89. Asay Creek west of Highway 89 is on private land and access is restricted.

SEVIER RIVER MARYSVALE CANYON: Flows are high and turbid due to irrigation releases.

THOUSAND LAKES MTN: Fair to good success at all lakes. Dry flies and nymphs are producing well.

TROPIC RESERVOIR: Catchable rainbows have been stocked and fishing is slow to fair.

URBAN PONDS: Washington County: Trout fishing is over for the summer. Try jigs tipped with nightcrawlers for bluegill and small bass. Iron County: Catchable rainbows have been stocked in Parowan Pond and Woods Ranch Pond. Catfish have been stocked in Parowan Pond.

WIDE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: Boats cannot be launched at the state park due to extremely low water. Bass are bunched up in any deep water you can find. Top water lures are best.

YANKEE MEADOW RESERVOIR: Fishing is slow.