I have heard there are Walleye in Utah Lake, does anyone one know. I fished the Provo boat harbor sunday night from 9:00 pm to about 2:00 am. Between the three of us we caught about 15 catfish mostly using night crawlers. I am headed back down there thursday night and would like to know if anyone has caught walleye and if so what did they use. I will post and let everyone know how we do.
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I've caught a few walleye in Utah Lake, but mostly while fishing for other species. The walleye in Utah Lake are well fed on the white bass, sunfish, and small catfish that live there. You can target them with dark colored jigs and worm rigs, but my experience has been that if you fish for other species like largemouth and sunfish, you'll pick up a few. I'd go hit the dikes in Lindon Harbor or the dike in Provo at the State Park an hour before sunset and see how that goes.
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[cool]Right now the walleyes are in a post spawn feeding binge in Utah Lake. If you can walk in, tube in or boat in, the area right in front of the Jordan River outlet often has big walleyes stacked up waiting for small white bass and mud cats to sweep by in the current going downriver. Bounce a 1/4 oz. black marabou or plastic twister down through there. You will also catch some big whites.
Inside the harbors and around the rocks at the mouth of the Provo, go on a stealth mission at night. Walleyes will cruise in very shallow water...like the largies. Run a shallow running crank or even a jerk bait in close to shore. I have even had them take almost topwater.
Down at Lincoln Beach, same deal. The big hungries get shallow at night when the water gets warmer after the spawning routine is over. Fish large plastics on super light 1/16 ounce heads, parallel to shore in shallow water. And, don't be surprised if a humongous old channel cat decides to vote for your walleye lure.
I used to do very well with the old floating Thin Fins (no longer made). Painted some of them solid black for night fishing. Large floating jointed Rapalas work pretty good too. Fish em slow and try to stand in one place, without making a lot of noise. I have had fish bump up against my legs in the dark, and they aren't always carp. If you move in and out of the water, or kick rocks around underwater, you will not likely get a good shot at the fish.
Some guys use a whole nightcrawler, without weight or float, and just pitch it a few yards down the bank. Then, lift it and SLOWLY reel it just fast enough to keep it from settling to the bottom. Again, cats, bass and walleyes will all vote for it. And, when you hang a biggun in shallow water, it can give you some palpitations. But, if you expect walleyes instead of cats...on crawlers...you should give them some motion. Cats will still hit them if they move, but walleyes almost always like their dinner moving.
As much as anything, it is timing. Walleyes are notorious for "turning on" for a short bite and then developing lockjaw for the next few hours. First you gotta find the fish, then you gotta get them to open their mouths. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it. Instead, you have a lot of frustrated company. There ain't a sure thing with them 'eyes.
Good luck, and post your results.
TubeDude
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Don't rule out the Provo river. Since the snagging has ended during the spawn, lots of eyes are staying in the river. Some folks I know have been catching them on perch pattern crankbaits and perch pattern spoons. And a few catfishermen have been bringing in some bonus eyes in the morning on crawlers.
walleyebob
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Chincheck,
I've seen walleye caught at Lindon Boat Harbor with crawlers, jigs, and crankbait. My personal best was caught in the same harbor with a shallow-running bass crankbait. I was fishing for largemouth by the docks close to the porta-potties. It weighed in unofficially at 5 lbs and 27" in length. I thought it was a largemouth because it fought and thrashed pretty well. Good luck.
Kastmaster
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