Does anyone know when they start stocking Lower Bells Reservoir in Sandy? I know that they have bad winterkills because they drain it 80% every year. I'm thinking of trying it out next Saturday (May 1st). Also, does anyone know when the upper reservoir usually thaws? It's elevation is about 9,400 feet.
Thanks
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I don't think that they stock it at all. Natural reproduction probably from the upper lake.
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I was up at the lower res last week. The water was so low the res was about 1/5 the normal size.
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The upper res your looking at about mid June. They do stock the lower one but I am not sure when. I have caught cutthroats out of both.
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Lets keep the controversy going! Because as far as I know they do not stock the lower reservoir at all. And have not for years and years and years. Its Brood Stock for other cutthroat populations if im not mistaken.
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p.s. i dont know what kind of shape your in or how you are at navigating, but the upper res. is a pain in the ass to find and difficult too get to. I personaly go to the gym 4 days a week and do triathlons along with all the hiking and backpacking I do and I still question going back there myself lol. If you do go good luck and plan for a looooong hike.
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I have checked the Utah DWR stocking reports and I do not believe it is stocked. Looks like the upper reservoir receives a stocking of 2" fish every other year. Also the lower reservoir is posted catch and release and artificials only. Having hiked the trail to the upper reservoir, I would doubt that a fish could travel down that stream, very steep, a lot of drop offs and a couple of fairly large water falls. Hiking the trail is like walking on a stair stepper. I would suspect the lower reservoir is probably just natural reproduction of a very small population of Native Bonneville Cutthroat trout; there might be a native population in the lower stream that feeds the reservoir as well. Either way, this population cannot support catch and take fishing pressure.
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I just always figured they stoked it. I never saw it with my own eyes. Now that I think about it I have seen some sick old spawned out looking cuts that were about 18 inches long hanging out there. I have caught some healthy ones too that went about 18 inches or so as well. I have also seen them in the river. Maybe your right. Your surly right about the upper res. IT is a pain. One spot I refer to as the stairway to hell. It is a fun hike though. I always just take my time and pace myself and sometimes even camp out along the way in the big meadows you go through. I might have said this on another thread before but I have hiked up there early season and literally walked right by the lake like 4 times before finding out which way to go. I would recommend a good light weight water filter instead of carrying a bunch of heavy water. The water up there is awesome. The only reason I dont go up there anymore is they dont allow dogs. I cant justify not taking them with me to do stuff like that.
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