Utah Fishing & Outdoors Report

It is time to break out the ice fishing gear, as more and more of our trout waters freeze up. Huntington Reservoir was one of the first to go and it is offering good hard-water fishing for tiger trout. Other similar small, high elevation reservoirs may also have safe ice.

Scofield is usually our first major water to freeze. It now has thin ice near the dam, and people have been out on it, but open water in other areas. Ice should firm up quickly near the dam and we expect safe conditions in that area this weekend. Use caution and test carefully before committing yourself.

Strawberry is developing ice along shorelines, but probably won't offer safe ice fishing for a couple more weeks. Open-water fishing is still good but it is getting difficult to get to the water.

There will be a free ice fishing clinic Tuesday, Dec 11, 7-9 pm at Sportsman's Warehouse in Riverdale. All areas of ice fishing will be covered. Also, redrockadventure.com has good ice fishing articles and photos.

Flaming Gorge, Bear Lake and our brown trout streams are still good choices if you don't want to ice fish.

DWR Hotspots Report
DWR says these waters offer hot fishing
- Strawberry for cutts and rainbows
- Weber River for browns, other trout and whitefish
- Calder Reservoir for rainbows

See DWR's regional fishing reports for info on other waters.

Interesting Posts by Anglers
Huntington Reservoir offers tiger trout through the ice
Scofield has ice near the dam
Scofield also has good shore fishing
Bear Lake whitefish are spawning - open water
Flaming Gorge has good open-water fishing for rainbows

News Articles
DWR
More days to hunt elk
Bear hunting permits
The perfect Christmas gift

Deseret Morning News
Terrain, lifts and facilities are upgraded
Deseret Morning News ski classes on; snowboarding gets delayed
Colder weather to bring ice fishing
Outdoor notes
DWR completes study of prairie dogs
Climber partners with Ogden park to hold fund-raiser for new venue
Books to take you around the world
Survey: Customers less satisfied with rental cars
Canadians expected to help heat up Arizona's economy
Field & Stream picks best bets for goin' fishin'
Gift ideas for those on your list who love to travel
Site review: Web site helps travelers plan by organizing reservations, flights, other details
Grizzly bear search planned for north-central Idaho, W. Montana
Oregon growers ask: Is your Christmas tree green enough?
Suit settled over hiker death
Ski buffs are getting an early start this year
Colorado hopes bears hibernate soon to end encounters with humans

Salt Lake Tribune
For snow lovers, now it's playtime
Cannon questions man's link to warming
Ski to Live program adds Zen principles to skiing, boarding
Ski resort openings
Where is it?
Bird sighting
The outsider
Outdoor Notes
River on the edge
Hike of the Week: Mesa Arch Trail - Canyonlands National Park, Island in the Sky District
Tight lines: Keep an eye on fishy aquaculture bill
Hook shot
I'm a safe boater - are you?
Dimock wins award for river-runner tale
Recreation roundup
'Wolf' sighting triggers probe

KUTV
Catching Fish On A Brisk Morning At Bear Lake
Stories... And Salsa On Bear Lake
Fly Fishing On The Lower... Lower Provo River
State Park: Edge of the Cedars
Utah Field Guide: The Bonneville Cisco

Regional
Report: Klamath fish need more water
Western States Facing Waterways Inundated with Non-Native Fish
Idaho sets hearings across the state on wolf plan
Fish and Wildlife Service proposing changes to wolf program
Domestic Wolf Brings Headaches in Idaho
Agencies plan search for grizzlies
Sagewillow elk feeding getting the hoof
5-6-7 pound cutthroat trout from shore at Pyramid lake
Bundle up, go fish
Audubon report lists 40 species in state facing dire consequences
Although tiny, these midge patterns will catch fish
258 elk killed during park’s targeted hunt
Swans have record year in Wyoming
Fresh Approaches - Fast Reaction Bait for Slow Fishing
Hunters and anglers have work to do

Huntington Reservoir has ice in most areas and people have started fishing on it, but safety is questionable. With these cold nights, ice near the dam will probably be safe by Saturday. Use caution and test carefully before betting your life. Huntington is one of our best tiger trout waters and usually offers very good ice fishing early in the season. It is located along Hwy 31, between Fairview and Hunting. Here's more info and a map link.

Other small lakes at high elevations probably have similar conditions. Good bets for early ice fishing include Puffer Lake on Beaver Mountain, Woodruff and Randolph reservoirs, the lakes on Diamond Mountain above Vernal, and accessible Uinta Mountain lakes. Since we haven't yet received heavy snow, you may still be able to drive to Mirror Lake, Whitney, Moon, Stateline, Bridger, Hoop and similar waters.

Scofield is usually our first major water to freeze. We're guessing it will be fishable by Dec 1. Watch the reports because it is often very good when the ice first becomes solid.

Interesting Post By Anglers
- Strawberry continues to offer great fishing
- Scofield is hot for tiger trout
- Green River Browns Park is good for browns and rainbows
- Flaming Gorge is good trolling
- Bear Lake offers big fish but you've got to work for them
- Electric Lake has good action for cutts
- Daniels and Deep Creek, Idaho, offer great fishing
- Report - whirling disease found in NE Uintas

DWR Hotspots Report
DWR says these waters offer hot fishing
- Strawberry for cutts and rainbows
- Weber River for browns, other trout and whitefish
- Calder Reservoir for rainbows

See DWR's regional fishing reports for info on other waters.

Recent News Reports
DWR
- Doe and fawn shot and left to rot
- Big game hunting rules for 2008 seasons will be discussed at the Wildlife Board meeting on Nov 29 in Salt Lake City. Here's the agenda.

KUTV
- Young Utahns Get Pheasant Hunting Opportunity
- 50,000 Acres Opened Up To Utah Hunters
- Field Guide: Ringneck Pheasant
- Hunting Ducks Off Shore... And On The Water
- Utah State Parks: Utah Lake

Deseret Morning News
- Colorado hopes bears hibernate soon to end encounters with humans
- 'Energy corridors' in West assailed
- Aspen incorporation denied
- Private lands a sore point in many parks
- Construction under way on wind farm

Salt Lake Tribune
- Plan your outdoor expedition online
- Eriksen receives award for promoting skiing 'as a way of life'
- Hike of the week: Frary Park Trail -- Antelope Island State Park
- Rock inscription near Powell probably authentic
- Still time to nominate members to Wild Horse Advisory Board
- Flights of rapture
- Wharton: With a little help from my friends
- Tight Lines: Want to make a difference? Get four friends hooked on fishing
- Where is it?
- Get ready for turkey season
- Recreation roundup
- The outsider
- Hook shot
- Trumpeting the swan
- Bird sighting
- Decades later, Leopold's wisdom still rings true
- Turkey DNA helps Utah geneticist bust poacher
- Wyoming commission approves gray wolf management plan
- Utahns exercise right to openly carry firearms
- S. Utah touts ritzy retreats

Regional
- the blm is doing the right thing in utah
- seeds contain hope of healing great basin
- Plan sets Idaho guidelines for managing wolves after delisting
- Decline in hunting could hurt Idaho economy
- volunteers restore idaho's scorched countryside
- State needs to address mercury issue
- Game and Fish office to serve public better
- Hunting still big business despite decline
- wyoming campaign now conservation statement
- what’s killing the bighorns?
- native americans claim religious-liberty right to kill eagles
- Buzz Kill: Snowmobiles in Yellowstone
- Three men face charges for hunting violations
- FWP extends elk season in some areas
- hunting missoula style: fat tires and whitetails
- 'a griz swiped my elk'
- Mining issues getting noticed in BC
- energy dilemma: habitat or profit?
- DOW says there's no plan to poison fish at Rifle Gap
- the allure of mountain troutin'
- State to reintroduce river otters next year
- 17-pound Mackinaw trout at North Lake Tahoe, Calif.
- No new takers for open regional advisory board seat
- black mule deer spotted
- Race for Arctic assets heats up debate over sea treaty
- Critters could protect lake

We salute the Utah Stonefly Society and the Cache Valley Anglers for raising $10,750 to help improve Utah's Blue Ribbon Fisheries. Federal matching funds will allow DWR to make significant habitat improvements. More details.

Ski season is now beginning, with Solitude opening tomorrow (Friday). Other resorts will follow quickly. Early skiing will be on man-made snow but that could change next week, if the weather forecast holds.

Ice fishing is just around the corner now. Small, shallow lakes at extremely high elevations will be the first to freeze. Puffer Lake on Beaver Mountain, Huntington Res along Skyline Drive and accessible lakes in the Uintas should develop safe ice by the end of November. Scofield is usually our first major water to freeze, and it should become safe during the first or second week of December. Don't take chances - make sure ice is safe before venturing out. Here are tips for ice fishing.

Meanwhile, our trout streams and lakes continue to fish well, as we reported last week.

DWR Hotspots Report
DWR says these waters offer hot fishing
- Strawberry for cutts and rainbows
- Weber River for browns, other trout and whitefish
- Calder Reservoir for rainbows

See DWR's regional fishing reports for info on other waters.

Interesting Posts by Anglers
Mirror Lake is partially iced over, with ice fishing starting
Flaming Gorge - lots of burbot caught
Jordanelle yields bass and brown trout
Weber River is good for browns

News Articles
DWR
Whirling disease discovered in Springville State Fish Hatchery
Swan migration is underway
Teach others about wildlife and the outdoors
Big Donation Will Help Utah Fisheries

Deseret Morning News
Annual buffalo roundup healing Antelope Island herd
Antelope Island buffalo herd originated from Texas
Top of the heap: Utah ski resorts rank among nation's best
Conditions push News ski school back one week; snowboard class still on for Saturday
Amy Donaldson: Best to take break from workouts when sick
Hills mined for resorts
Rock climbing is taking a toll on peaks
Solitude resort set to open Friday, first of the ski season
Fall is a great time to watch bighorn sheep
Utah ski season openers
Outdoor notes
Whirling disease hits Springville hatchery
60000 fish dumped at landfill to halt spread of whirling disease
Official says United, Delta have discussed merging; airlines deny it
Conservation, Salt Lake economy linked
4% jump in airline traffic over Thanksgiving expected
Crossing borders will soon get a lot more difficult
Forest Service OKs improvements for Sun Valley ski area
Yellowstone sees more than 3 million visitors
Film clips please state tourism board
An Aspen for Utah? Developer submits plan to incorporate new Wasatch County town
NTSB issues recommendations on Grand Canyon air tour safety
Hiking the Pacific Coast Trail
Green group identifies objectives for state
Cowboy poetry gatherings in Nevada
Official says Grand Canyon biologist probably died of plague

Salt Lake Tribune
Outdoor notebook: Bighorn viewing events set for this weekend
Wharton: Bottom line: Resorts should go green
The outsider: SnoDaisy camps, resort rides, learn to fly (on the snow)
When will they open?
Nordic skiing: Together in the fast lane
Passionate triathlete shares enthusiasm for winter sports with Utah youngsters
Ski report: The Tribune's guide to Utah's ski resorts
Ski and boarding notes
Recreation roundup
Hook shot
New ski and snowboard guide for Utah
Bird Sighting
People plus
Cole: A new twist on toilet-seat etiquette
Where is it?
An interview with Bruce Tremper, director of the Utah Avalanche Center
Hike of the week: Escalante River Trail - Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Utah's population grows by leaps and babies
Fla. wildlife workers hope doughnuts lure mystery animal from trees

KUTV
Park City Resort Pushes Back Ski Season Start
Environmental TV Ad Features Gov. Huntsman
Snagging A Marlin In Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Head North To Henry's Lake In Idaho
Utah's Natural Bridges Are Quite Scenic
State Parks: San Juan
Field Guide: Big Horn Sheep

Daily Herald
How to become a better angler
Once endangered Bridal Veil Falls

Regional
Famed Idaho fishing destination tainted with mercury
E. Idaho angler yanks record brown trout from reservoir
510000 in state hunt, fish, watch wildlife
Humankind is cruisin' for a bruin bruisin' — and the bears are giving it
Fish & Game Commission seeking input on new fishing rules
Mack Days exceeds expectations
Supplying the demand
Grizzly deaths near threshold
Chronic wasting turns up in Lovell-area deer
Feds: Delist mouse in Wyo
The declining Nimrod
Bluetongue Kills More than 300 Sheep in Big Horn Basin
Fish damage assessed in fuel spill
DENTRY: Numbers of anglers, hunters decreasing
Hooked by the lure of the river
Stalking steelhead
A mountain retreat for two stressed-out rare wolves
Cottonwood Cove: Lake Mead National Recreation Area’s Hidden Gem

Dennis Breer at Trout Creek Flies reminds fishermen that many guide services offer discounted rates during the off-season. As the month progresses and the weather turns cold, most waters will be virtually deserted. "If you ever wanted the river virtually to yourself, this is the time," he said.

The Green River is fishing quite well. Dennis continues: "Streamers are working well and have been extremely good some days. Size 2-4 buggers such as Goldilox and patterns in olive, pink and white are effective too. Overall the fishing has been good with most approaches but some days you still need to practice patience with the day and fish... Midge fishing in the colder months is always delightful." Read his complete report.

Strawberry, Jordanelle, Scofield, Flaming Gorge, Bear Lake and many other reservoirs are fishing well for trout.

DWR Hotspots Report
DWR says these waters offer hot fishing
- Pelican Lake for bluegill and largemouth bass
- Calder Reservoir for rainbows
- Weber River for trout and whitefish

See DWR's regional fishing reports for info on other waters.

Interesting Posts by Anglers
Deer Creek has low water but good fishing for rainbows
Jordanelle is good for rainbows
Jordanelle also offers cold water bass action
Strawberry is good but can be spotty
Strawberry is good working jigs just off the bottom
Lake Powell is very good on the upper San Juan arm
Huntington Reservoir is still open water, with good fishing

New Articles
Deseret News
Extreme Ogden — Railroad city rebuilds itself through extreme sports
A look at Extreme Sports opportunities in Ogden
Ray Grass: Utah lucky to have top ski resorts in nation
Picturesque Noah's Ark floats amid a sea of beautiful southern Utah scenery
Pinyon-juniper chaining project will benefit wildlife, watershed
Park City residents pass $15 million trail-system bond
Deseret Morning News Ski and Snowboard School
Outdoor notes
Utah County Birders meeting set
Guidebook author falls in love with water
If you go looking for waterfalls
Grand Canyon chapel welcomes all faiths
Deer Valley sets November dates for 18th annual Navajo rug show
JetBlue expanding charter flying as it adds to jet fleet
Railroad expo on track

Salt Lake Tribune
Tight lines: Development chills outdoor thrills
Flock to the Great Salt Lake Audubon's bird class
U. scientists say Yellowstone caldera may be filling with magma
Steelhead night at Western Rivers
Outdoor notebook: Flock to the Great Salt Lake Audubon's bird class and more
Out takes: Give us your best shot
Mountaineer-photographer takes up father's hobby and brings 'memories back'
Tight lines: Development chills outdoor thrills
Park service wants to deepen popular Lake Powell shortcut
The outsider: spotlight on sandhill cranes, parks honor veterans
Hook shot
Where is it?
Tips for safe late-season boating
Bird Sighting
Recreation roundup
Whale watching in San Diego
White moose found dead in northern Utah

DWR
Swan migration is underway
Teach others about wildlife

KUTV
One Of Utah's Fishing Hot Spots
Antelope Island Buffalo Roundup
Utah Field Guide: American Bison
Youngsters Go Duck Hunting
State Parks: Goblin Valley

Regional
Steelhead are Running in North Central Idaho
Oregon Voters Restore a Balance to Land Use System
Work on fish passage on Colorado River to begin this year
Soapbox Idaho Falls: The Bear Issue Part II
More States Team Up to Target Poachers
ODFW hosts 58th annual NW Fish Culture Conference
Trappers makes the cutt
Bluetongue claims 300 Wyoming sheep
Wyoming Discovers CWD in New Hunt Area
Mouse would be delisted in Wyoming, still threatened in Colorado
Montana, the Last, Best Retreat for the Investment Banker?
Tahoe Residents At Odds Over Bears

The pheasant hunt opens Saturday, with success expected to be fair.

DWR has scheduled a series of meetings to gather public input on proposed changes to deer and elk hunting seasons. The changes could be significant and so we encourage interested parties to attend and participate in the process. Here are articles on the proposals: Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret Morning News, DWR.

A group of us fished Strawberry last weekend and had a great time. Action wasn't super fast but it was steady and the size of the fish kept things interesting. Most ran 16-20 inches; we hooked into one that was probably about 24. That was during the afternoon after a full moon. My experience says success picks up as the moon wanes. Strawberry can be a little fickle - catch it just right and fishing can be very good. Expect success to be good there until snow and ice shut down the launch ramps.

Other reservoirs are also fishing well, for both trout and walleye. Our trout streams are also good. Dry fly fishermen wish we would get a little stormy weather because that would help hatches. Streamers, jigs and lures are working well, even on bright sunny days. Remember to leave spawning brown trout alone.

Steve Schmidt has this on his fishing report: "The Weber River continues to fish well compared to years past. It's not as productive as the Provo River on most days, but definitely worth a visit if you are looking for somewhere to fish close by. The BWO hatch is not as prolific on the river, but the streamer fishing can be excellent this time of year. On these warm sunny days be on the water early. You'll find cloudy days the best."

Steve continues: "Browns are beginning to spawn across the state. We encourage you not to fish to these fish when they are on their Redds. For those not familiar with a Redd, it's the area where trout lay their eggs usually found in shallows where there is finer gravel. These areas are clean, compared to the undisturbed rock around them. Trout literally beat/sweep these areas clean with their tails and bodies. A very stressful and tiring process. Our streams and rivers health depend on the success of the spawn. Leaving these fish alone will aid in the health of our fisheries for the future and years to come. Fishing to these trout often leads to a high mortality rate. It's a high price to pay just to say we caught a few more trout. Besides there are plenty of fish to catch outside of those that are actively spawning."

Read Steve's full report.

DWR Hotspots Report
DWR says these waters offer hot fishing
- Pelican Lake for bluegill and largemouth bass
- Calder Reservoir for rainbows
- Weber River for trout and whitefish

Interesting Posts By Anglers
Diamond Fork is good for browns
Strawberry trolling Rapalas
Strawberry will get larger rainbows
Snake River Sturgeon
Flaming Gorge - Don't snag the lake trout
Huntington good but spotty for tiger trout

New Articles
DWR
See bighorn sheep Nov. 17 in Provo
See bighorn sheep near Moab
Bats, Should You Be Afraid

KUTV
Olympic Hopeful Hunts First Deer In Utah
Utah's Museum Of The Wild
Utah's Wild And Scenic Areas
State Parks: Steinaker

Deseret Morning News
Ski and Snowboard School — Lessons enable beginners to hit slopes with correct techniques
News Ski School marks 60 years
Ski Utah's Fat Flake Festival Saturday at Gallivan Center
Pheasant hunt likely to be fair, at best
Amy Donaldson: No excuses: Tips to keep you running
Utah wildlife division proposing to standardize elk and deer hunts
Latest user-friendly gear available to participants in 2007 ski school
Outdoor notes
Groups sue to stop prairie dog removal in Cedar City
Victim of hunting accident hailed as 'golden neighbor'
Education called best water-saver
Web site offers advice on how to go green
Yearly boom strains Garden City
Wildlife ads show Gore-Tex's adaptability
Uintah Basin greenery sprouts anew
Garden City's tourism, construction flourish
Cabela's touted as a tourist destination
Olympics, history and urbanity boost Salt Lake tourism
If you go to Cabela's
Researcher: Yellowstone bacteria could boost ethanol production

Salt Lake Tribune
Hike of the week: Thayne Canyon loop - Mill Creek Canyon
Bird Sighting
Where is it?
Pike peak (with video)
Wondering what it takes to catch a pike? Try this
Outdoor notebook: environmental films will play in Utah, plus Bighorn sheep festivals (with video) and more
Wharton: Preserving the future of our national parks
Tight Lines: Elusive pike dream comes true
The outsider; ski swap benefit, Provo River cleanup
Proposed changes in regulations include longer deer hunt, 13-day elk hunt
Hook shot
Some reel adrenaline for snowmobilers
Snowmobiling class for youths
Recreation roundup
Book now for family reunions
Wharton: Utah's past a portal to discovery
Pals of prairie dogs sue over golf course traps
Crews work to snuff out pesky Virgin River intruder
State seeks a protective designation for rare bird

Regional
Feds OK Plan for Columbia and Snake Dams
New Draft Plan Falls Short - Again - for Idaho's Salmon
Salmon plan gets cool reception by enviros, lukewarm response by agency that made it
New federal plan to save Idaho salmon unveiled
Chutes and ladders
Study to look at whether cormorants are harming salmon runs
Scientists to Create Fish Vaccine Pellet
Wolves in N. Idaho wilderness area elude fish and game officials
Idaho Governor Unveils Series Of Water Conservation Projects
Restoration work on N. Idaho spawning grounds begins
Idaho Originals: Sturgeon
Duncan Ranch deal draws seven bidders
Plan brings ferrets back from the brink of extinction
Fishing is on the decline in Colorado
DENTRY: Glean eggs and wham: DOW hits mother lode of salmon