All,
Heading down to Zion's this weekend for a little R&R with the fam. Hoping to get some time to soak some bait. Staying at a place called Duck Creek Village. Aspen Mirror lake and Navajo Lake right by the cabin and Panquitch apparently not that far away.
Question. Has anybody fished either of these places? What was the fishing like? Any recommendations as to which body of water to spend my time on? We'll be running around a lot between Zion's, Bryce and some hiking so I want to make sure I go to the place most likely to treat me well.
Thanks in advance
Nica
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We have a family cabin up on the mountian above duck creek village.There is aspen lake/pond which is stocked.The river that runs by the lake has some decent fishing in it.Navajo is a nice lake,but it might still be iced up with unsafe ice,if not then the shore fishing can be good for rainbows and a few brookies.
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I personally would suggest Kolob Reservoir. I have had good success there this time of year. I dont know the back way to Kolob on the dirt roads from Cedar Canyon, but I am sure someone does.
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Great. Thank you. Any suggestions as to which side of Navajo Lake?
Thanks again
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Just found a map, looks like it's about 30 miles from duck creek via the back roads. Will have to see how much time I end up with. Thank you.
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if your staying in the village its only 5-10 mins down the road.The south side or north side are good.The turn off takes you to the dam and southside of the lake.Try worms with mellow and rainbow powerbait.Throw spinners to while soaking your bait (if you have a to pole permit of course).Good luck give us a report when you get back.
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At kolob I have had success on just about every fly and lure I have thrown. Theres a point just west of the boat launch that extends a few yards that seem to congregate the fish this time of year. They are in shallow right now and are pretty agressive. Egg patterns worked the best for me. My friend had doubles on alot of the time with egg patterns. Last time I was there though, there were about 8 people trying to position themselves at that point and I wanted no part of it. There is a really huge rock that you can climb on that west bay by the dam and sight fish as well. I saw one rainbow that was easily 22-24 inches swimming next to the rock and disappeared to the depths after that never to be seen again. Hope this helps if you go.
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I'll see if I can make it up there. I won't make it down there very often so hopefully I can hit as many places as possible. Thanks for the info. I'll post a report when I get back. Should be back Sunday night, I may post earlier if they have internet access at the cabin.
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I'm buying a second permit actually. I need all the help I can get. Thanks again for your help.
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Right at Duck Creek there is a large spring and small pond that is very good fly fishing for planter rainbows in the summer. I don't know what it will be like this time of the year. When I was there it was much better fishing than Aspen-Mirror. Be sure and let us know how every thing was when you get back.
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I'll take a look at it when I get there. I'm not a fly fisherman, and I'm a real sucky spin fisherman, sometimes I think I'd do better if I jumped in the water and tried to catch them by hand. I'll be back on Sunday and will post my results then unless there is internet access at the cabin, then I can report from there.
thanks again
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I have a map that I got at Ace that I am attaching, I hope it is helpful
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The more I think about it if you set some time aside just for fishing your BEST bet will be ottercreek.Its been RED HOT down there.It might be an hours drive from duckcreek but if you want to catch fish and big ones head up there in the morning time anywhere on the shore.
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Thank you Jenkins, this will come handy.
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Kolob would be probably the best fishing, but access will be an issue for you from Duck Creek. The road across the top of Cedar Mtn is typically pretty messy this time of year. Recent weather, along with snow in the forecast for tonight are going to make it difficult (if even possible) to get to Kolob from Cedar Mtn. You could make it up there by going all the way around the mountain, and up from Virgin.
Navajo still has ice. If you can find some open water, it might be decent.
Panguitch could be good fishing, but the majority (not all) of the fish will be in the slot.
Otter Creek is the wrong direction if you plan on spending time around Duck Creek, and Zion.
Aspen Mirror might provide some fish, but I wouldn't expect much from it.
The Sevier River, Assay Creek, and Mammoth Creek are all pretty close to where you'll be. Depending on weather, stream conditions may or may not be good. High water was never a real issue for us on Mammoth Creek. In fact, we used to target it exclusively in the spring when it was running over the banks. The browns would come out from under the banks, and were not nearly as spooky. However, private property has blossomed in recent years -- you better make sure of where you are fishing!
This is a pretty tough time of year for fishing on the high mountain (Duck Creek is nearly 9,000 ft. elevation). We have had a poor snowpack this year, so really, there isn't a ton of runnoff happening. The streams in the area might be the best alternative you have.
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Thanks for the info PBH, I think Kolob is out of the question due to time. This is supposed to be a family trip, not a fishing trip, so I can't set aside other plans (Zions) for the fish. I have a 4WD suburban and have chains and stuff, but I think it would take more time than I have to get there, fish for any reasonable amount of time and then come back.
I didn't realize that Duck Creek was up so high, 9K feet is a ways up there. I'll make the best of it, at least I'll come back with condition reports.
As a side note, do you know of any places where we can shoot up some clays nearby. If the fishing is slow we may just go do some clay shooting.
thanks again for all the info
Nica
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You have plenty of National Forest Land surrounding Duck Creek. You should be able to head off in several different directions to find a place to setup to shoot some clays.
Things are going to be muddy about anywhere on the mountain around Duck Creek. Also, it is expected to snow tonight, as well as a possibility of snow later in the weekend. Be prepared for some wintery weather while up at Duck Creek.
Zion should be considerably nicer weather than up on the mountain.
Duck Creek seems like an odd choice of place to stay when visiting Zion National Park. Out of curiosity, why that location?
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Yeah, probably is an odd choice, but initially we had planned on going to both Zion's and Bryce, the location seemed right and central to both, probably not the best time of year though. Now we'll probably spend most of our time at Zion's, but too late to make changes.
We won't be spending too much time at duck creek, we'll get there Friday afternoon/evening, will have a few hours to try to fish then, we're leaving for Zion's early Sat and won't be back till later that day, then we're headed off to Bryce probably Sun morning.
I should have done better research, I had no idea duck creek was up that high, I probably would have done something different had I known. Lesson learned, we'll still enjoy it.
Thanks again for all your info
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I think if you only have a couple hours, i would recommend heading down to Mammoth Creek. Just East of Duck Creek village is a road that heads to Panguitch Lake. You can use this road to access Mammoth Creek. The upper stretches may be running clear enough to fish.
As tempting as Duck Creek (stream, and pond) might look, don't fish it. They are closed to fishing until next week.
Two other suggestions you can look into:
Sevier River above Hatch: If you have a little time between Zion and Bryce, stop along the Sevier above the town of Hatch. Take the old highway, and find a spot to fish. Much of this stretch has had some reconstruction work done on it. If the water is not too high and muddy from Assay and Mammoth Creek, this could be a good section to fish.
Tropic Reservoir: I have not heard any recent reports or conditions, but the ice should be gone (or very near gone). It seems like every spring a large brown trout or two, or even a large cutthroat, is taken out of Tropic Reservoir. This would be the time of year to fish it. Since you'll be over at Bryce, it might be worth taking the 15 minute drive from Ruby's Inn over to the reservoir.
Good luck. Zion is beautiful this time of year. Regardless of the fishing, you'll have a good trip.
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Thank you PBH. Appreciate all the info. Thanks for letting me know about Duck Creek being closed too.
Nica
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