Hello everyone. I found this web site while trying to find information on pike in Utah Lake. I have a 13 year old who is bent on catching a pike there. Are they more concentrated in any part(s) of the lake? We were planning on trying our luck from the banks at the state park. I am not familiar with the shores of Utah Lake at all and really only know about catching trout in the Uintas. This is all novel for me. Are pike even active yet or is it still too cold (the report I see states water temp is around 52 degrees right now)?
Thanks for any advice.
[signature]
[#0000FF]Thankfully...by DWR standards...the catch rate for northern pike in Utah Lake has declined a lot. That means that making a special trip just for pike may not be too rewarding.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]Pike like structure and there is not much of that in Utah Lake. So you will find them around rocks, flooded brush and reeds or near warm water inflows that attract smaller species upon which they feed. That translates to harbors...inside and outside...and wherever warm springs flow into the lake...like around Lincoln Beach.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]If you were to pick one area, the mouth of Hobble Creek has proven to attract spawning pike...as has the lower Provo River. But again, a special trip may be disappointing. Most of the pike caught from the lake are hooked by anglers fishing for walleyes or largemouth bass...on the same plastics or crankbaits being fished for the other species.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]52 degrees is toasty for this toothy native of colder northern climes. They have probably already spawned.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]Hope the attached will help you and your teen tangler.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]
Thank you. I am sure we’ll eventually end up at Yuba to fish sometime as well. We’ll go check out the tributary areas. One of my bigger hurdles is that I just don’t know the lake and where to find the cover. We’ll see what we can find around Hobble Creek. I advised my son of the small numbers but he still wants to go give it a whirl. Even if we’re skunked it beats playing video games.
[edit: spelling]
[signature]
[#0000FF]The Powerball Lottery used to use the phrase "You can't win if you don't play." That concept also applies to fishing. You won't catch fish with your line out of the water. And if you want to catch a certain species you need to do what you can to improve the odds.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]1. Go where you have the greatest chance of finding your targeted species. Fish proven waters in the most likely hangouts for that species.
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]2. Fish with bait or lures that are most likely to appeal to the fish you are after.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]3. Use proper tackle and techniques.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]4. Focus. Pay close attention to where you are casting and how you are retrieving. And fish with positive expectation...being ready for the strike.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]5. Hang in there. Go whenever you can and stay as long as you can. Some fish are known as "the fish of a thousand casts". But the lower the population of your targeted species the number of casts needed to score might be much higher.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]I admire the determination of your son. Reminds me of someone I used to know very well. It is good to learn about setting goals and following through at such an early age. Unfortunately there are many young people (older ones too) who do not have the focus or stamina to stick with something long enough to accomplish their goals.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]Good luck and keep us posted on your efforts.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]PS...Chris Crockett of the DWR offices in Springville just told me of their recent pike netting efforts on Yuba. Populations are down and sizes are down too. But they did net some pike over 40 inches. So if you wanna catch a biggun that might be your best bet.
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[signature]
Well, we went for a nice drive, had some casting practice and learned some new areas to try to fish. As far as catching anything, though, well...that's a negative.
[signature]