Last year was my first time to the Gorge and am now trying to plan a couple trips this year. Is there an average time the ice is off? Are there better styles of fishing earlier in the year than later? I went in June last year, trolled different dodgers and lures (pink seemed to be hot then) and couldn't keep the Koke's off, it was a blast! I'd like to do an early May and late June trip, any tips would be appreciated.
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[
] Spring is perhaps the best time to fish the Gorge. I fish the Gorge almost every month for the last four years, fewer times before that. From my experience I can tell you that if you fish around the shoreline in around 5-30 feet of water you can catch all the fish species in there except catfish and burbot. I most often catch rainbows and lake trout, but occasion an active smallmouth bass will hit my lure. Take advantage of the two-pole permit. Rig up some worms or minnows, then jig with 3-5 inch tube jigs. This way you will have your limit in no time, and will likely be releasing fish after 30-40 minutes of fishing. If you want the big ones, start yearly in the morning and troll the shoreline or first 5-30 feet of the water column. Most of the time, the bigger the lure, the bigger the fish caught. of course, there are exceptions. Basically the whole reservoir is good in spring time, especially the points coming in or small to medium bays with deep water in the middle. I have caught 22-27 inch rainbows in two feet of water spawning and non-spawning ones. I try to leave the spawning ones alone. The lake trout will cruise the shoreline alone mostly so you can cath them if you don't have a boat, like me 2 years ago. Now I jig and troll with my Smokercraft Canadian.
Another week or so and the Utah side will be Ice free in most places. By April 15th the Wyoming side will be all clear as well. Unless we get a very unusual cold spell, and temp there stay in the 30s, which is very unlikely after reading the long term forecasts. Schedule your trip for after the 15th of April and you will be addicted to the Gorge after fishing it in the spring time.
![[Image: fish-on.gif]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/images/gforum/fish-on.gif)
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Thanks for the info. I'm planning my first trip around the first of May, so it sounds like the ice should be off by then. I was pretty excited about my trip before and after reading your post I'm ready to go right now!
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[black][size 3]Spring fishing is good at the Gorge. But during the spring time months, wind can be a biggie.[/size][/black]
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[size 3]I have made more than one trip to the Gorge, when it ended up being a camping trip. The wind made jigging for Mack (my preference) impossible.[/size]
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[size 3]My first trip to the Gorge, was one that I will never forget, and almost made it my last. Crossing with the wind to Horseshoe Canyon was easy. After productive fishing for trout in the canyon, crossing the bay back to the marina was a bugger. A real rodeo ride, with waves breaking over the cabin of a 28 footer was no joy.[/size]
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That's good information. It seems last year I read several posts that talked about the weather and fast moving storms. I've hit some big water at Powell and some pretty choppy stuff last year on my first trip to the Gorge. I've got no problem waiting out a storm if needs be.
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