Dave Webb
April 20, 2024

Our spring weather has been incredibly nice, warm, sunny, mild… It was nice enough that I decided to take the boat out for the first time this year. I chose Deer Creek Reservoir and had a great time, with excellent fishing.

After sitting all winter, boats can need tune-ups and adjustments to get ready for the season. I was happy to find that both my motors fired right up and I was fishing without any trouble.

I cruised around the lake at about 20 mph just to evaluate conditions and get gas flowing through the big motor. It felt really good in the warm sunshine.

I had launched at the Island ramp and so I cruised back to the top of the lake and slowed down to troll along the west shoreline. I found active fish in water 15-25 feet deep along the shoreline. They readily hit lures long-lined at 1.5-2.5 mph.

Trout prefer cold water so they go deep during summer but right now they can move freely through the water column. The insects they feed on are usually found in relatively shallow water along the shores. A good strategy during the morning and later afternoon is to cast lures or baits into the shallows. On this trip I didn’t need to do that because the fish kept hitting me without me doing anything special.

Downriggers were not needed because there were plenty of fish just under the surface. When a boat cruises over shallow fish they tend to move away and the noise of a gasoline motor may cause them to be wary. I do best letting out 100 feet or more of line when I fish shallow.

I have talked to others and most are doing well at Deer Creek this spring. A few have not had much success. With fish close to shore, it is easy to cast right over them. I do best working parallel to the shoreline.

We have had plenty of rain this spring and not all days have been favorable. I am lucky that my work schedule is flexible. I can bide my time and fish when the weather is nice. Clouds and light rain down bother me but wind can make fishing difficult.

All of the fish I caught were rainbows. I worked structure for a few minutes hoping to hook a walleye but had no luck there. Walleye are hard for me at Deer Creek. I catch them often at Willard and Starvation but have yet to figure them out at Deer Creek.

The reservoir was essentially full and docks were in the water. Conditions were very nice.

I hope you’ve had a chance to get out. I’d love to hear where you went and how you did.