Dave Webb
Feb 19, 2024

Temperatures have been warmer than normal this winter and walleye fishing is already heating up at Utah Lake and Willard Bay. Action will pick up soon at Deer Creek, Starvation, and other waters.

Normally, Utah Lake and Willard lose their ice cover at about the end of February and pre-spawn walleye action picks up almost immediately. This year those waters have been ice-free for weeks but the water has been cold and fishing has been sporadic. Water temps are now rising and fish are becoming more active.

Many people watch for the walleye spawn because that’s when fish move to predictable locations where they can be targeted. Staging begins when the water warms to the mid to upper 40s F. But the aggressive predators feed more actively before and after the spawn, meaning right now is a great time to target the fish.

We have many great how-to walleye fishing articles on this website and we will continue to post more.

Willard Bay is one of Utah’s best walleye waters and action there should be great during the next few weeks. Anglers do well targeting the dikes working jigs and lures slow and deep. Walleye generally stay close to structure, which is usually on or near the bottom. The old saying is true: “If you aren’t getting snags you aren’t fishing for walleye.”

Utah Lake has a good population of walleye but they are harder to find pre-spawn. The lake has a lot of structure and so the fish are scattered until they start to move toward tributaries. The harbors and Bird Island area are often good. (This year the lake is high so Bird Island may not be visible.)

Deer Creek has good, healthy walleye, and action can be good working shorelines during the pre-spawn period. Deer Creek is deeper than Utah Lake and Willard Bay, so anglers need to have gear and patience to get lures down. I often catch trout when fishing for walleye at Deer Creek and I consider that a bonus.

Starvation is perhaps our best walleye water with abundant fish and good habitat. It warms up a bit later than other waters but should have good action in mid- or later March.

Look for me at Deer Creek over the next few weekends and Starvation as we move into spring.