Fishing Forum

So Kent (kentofnsl) and I decided to do a high adventure this last weekend. Our ultimate destination was to fish Pelican on Friday and Saturday, but we left Thursday early to try the ice-off at the Berry, then to go whatever way the wind took us from there. We didn't realize that the wind was going to quite literally take us from there! We tried multiple areas around Renegade early Thursday first, but didn't get any bites, nor did we see any fish, and there wasn't enough ice-off...for ice-off fishing. We decided to start making our way towards the Uinta Basin, hoping to perhaps fish one or two out of the way ponds here and there. We first stopped to pick up some big PVC pipe in Roosevelt for some potential ice-fishing accessories, then from there we ended up at a little pond called Brough Reservoir, where supposedly, there are some nice fish in there. Due to the high (seemed like 40+mph) winds, we couldn't launch the boat, so we drove around the lake till the wind was at our backs while casting from shore. We stayed an hour or so with not so much as a bite, then decided to head over to Pelican just to check it out. Well, the waves weren't quite 6 feet, but we decided it was a little too rough for the aluminum boat, so we didn't launch. We tried throwing a few jigs around the boat dock here and there...but again, not so much as a bite. Did I mention the wind?
We decided to check into the fabulous Travelodge in Vernal a little early...grab a nice meal, rest up and hit it hard in the morning.
The next morning, we were happy to awake to no wind. We made our way to Pelican, launched and immediately realized that because of global warming...the water temp was barely 50 degrees. We fished in vain for a few hours while the sun (fortunately it was a VERY sunny day) warmed the shallow lake. Even though it was sunny there was an annoying and unusual (for Pelican) morning wind...which went away and stayed away the whole rest of the day by about 11:00 a.m. or so. At that same time, the water temp hit the magic mark...55 degrees...and it was literally like someone turned on the switch and bite was ON! We caught plenty of Basses and Bluegills the whole rest of the day pretty much non stop until about 4:00 or 4:30 when somebody turned that switch off and the bite stopped. We ended up with easily over 100 fish between us, most of which were Largemouth Bass.
Thinking that the cold was behind us, we woke up early Saturday once again to frost on the pumpkin. This time the water temp was 52 degrees to start with...but was kind of cloudy so it didn't warm up as fast...and neither did the bite. The bite never really turned on for some reason on Saturday, but we still managed another 50 or 60 fish or so by the time we left between us. The Bluegills are very healthy. Lots in the 8 and 9 and even 10 inch range. Basses were running a little smaller this year than in years past but we still managed a few 15 and 16 inchers with one 17 incher going about 3 lbs. I even had a Largemouth DOUBLE on my tandem rigged Bluegill pole once!
I go on this trip the same weekend every year, and every year the pattern is a little different so there is always that initial learning curve before we start catching the fish. This year's hint: For NUMBERS...think small. For big fish think BIG. For Bluegills and Basses...throw out a tandem rigged Bluegill pole with a bubble![fishin]
Kent and I had a great time together and it was an awesome trip. I just wish global cooling would kick in so that the water temp would be warmer in the mornings....
Thanks again Kent, it was an awesome trip and I had a heck of a lot of fun!!

Randy
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Nice job guys. Do the 'gills still have the nasty little white grub/parasites? They say they are safe to eat but NO THANKS! BTW, Brough can be a great spot at times now that they've eliminated the stunted bass and placed the artis only regs.
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Fished Pelican sat and 1/2 day sunday same results. Once the bite turned on, fishing right off the reedlines. Esp. on the northside. Used everything senko's, lizards, other creature baits bass seemed to like greens, black and blue and a smoke colored . Also white and blue spinner bait and lipless crankbaits. None over 2.5 pds and most 1.5 think most were the males making sure Mom's were guarded, esp for moms day [sly] We actually camped for the first time there it was pretty fun , bugs not bad but I wouldn't recommend tent camping when it gets warmer-Yuck. I read there was going to be a tournament there on May 9th but it wasn't crowded at all (don't think my info was right). oh in afternoon the water temp hit 58 on sat and 59 on sun depending on what part of the lake we were on-north side the warmest. Happy fishing []
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Dying to get out there. If I go tomorrow night, whaddaya think? Worried the weather will kill off the bite. Don't mind getting wet myself, but if the water temps stay in the low 50"s due to cloud cover will I get a bite?

Decisions........
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It's pretty much the intermountain west that's cold. I have family and friends in Connecticut and Minnesota, neither place is exactly a tropical get away, and they've been going on and on about how warm it's been. Apparently it was the first April on record where it didn't snow anywhere in the state of Minnesota. In Connecticut it hit up around 90 a month ago and the daffodils and cherry blossoms were already done by mid April. We're just the lucky ones here who get to enjoy snow in May [:/] That being said, I think I need to make the trip to Pelican someday, sounds like a great trip.
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Had a great time fishing Pelican for the first time on the soft water. As always, Randy was a pleasure to fish with and his new-to-him aluminum boat performed flawlessly. Had an interesting experience on Saturday. Before the water temps got up to where they needed to be for us to have any success on the bass, we moved out where we had previously enjoyed a fabulous day through the ice catching blue gill. We were fishing in 15 feet of water and catching blue gills right off of the bottom. Every blue gill from the deep water was really pale colored compared to the ones we caught in the shallow water. Apparently, the ones in the deep water have been hanging out in that water for an extended time. Here are a few pictures from the trip.
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looks like a great trip to me! I'm planning on heading up in a couple weeks, do you think with a few more days of sunshine the spawn will be on by then? I hope so
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brookieguy1,
We did see evidence that a few of the fish we caught did have the parasites, visible from the outside. We didn't keep/fillet any of them, so I couldn't tell you if they were present in the fillets. I've kept and eaten bass from that lake in years past, and every now and then I would find the parasites in the fillets, but not really very often. Although it is said that the parasites are harmless...I chose not to eat those fish that I saw were affected...just didn't look good!
Not all fish are affected, just a few here and there.
Randy
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fish or die,
I'm not sure if the spawn has happened, is happening, or will happen shortly there! What I do know is that water temp is key. That lake warms up fast if the sun is shining, but we had to wait till about 11:00 each day for the water temp to be up high enough for the fish to start biting...which was about 54-55 degrees.
If the water would warm up, and the air temps would stay mild at night...the bite would start sooner each day.

This is the first year that I remember it being so cold that the bite was delayed in the morning. I always go the same weekend each year and it's always been warm enough in the past. That all said, yes, I think a few days of sunshine and warm temps would definitely help the bite, but I just don't know about the spawn.

Hope this helps!
Randy
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I'm sure we'll find a way to get into them [] Do you guys think this is one of those bass fisheries that needs some of the little guys taken out? Any time I can do my part to help by eating bass I'm more than willing!
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fish or die,

Disclaimer: This is my opinion, and my opinion only. I am not a biologist or anything like that...just based on personal observations!

My personal observation this year is that that are more fish, but they are all smaller. The regs say the limit is 6 bass, with only 1 over 15 inches. I personally think that removing a bunch of the little ones would be good for that fishery. We caught a whole bunch in the 11 thru 13 inch range that would be perfect for eating!

Randy
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That might be a good idea. If there are a ton of little bass treat them like perch or crappie and make the limit 20-50.
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Nice fish, I love to see the warm specicies picking up. I have never been to pelican before, Just got my first boat and love bass fishing. Was wondering how long of a drive it is to pelican from SLC area? Do they have any lodging or camping available in the general area? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
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we found a great area with a metal fire ring even. It is blm so it's primitive camping. There are a couple of restrooms , pretty much just brick out houses, cuz no running water so bring your own. As I said the bugs can get pretty bad in the heat but are better if you camp a little further from the water. The camp site we used was on the right side of the road into pelican as you approach the boat launch. If you like bass it's about 2 1/2 - 3 hours from slc depending on who is driving. Once we get some warmth you should check it out there are fatties in there, not this past weeekend, but they are there. I have attached one I caught in late June last year and she only got bigger this winter[laugh] I hope- have a good trip if you go. oh if you don't want to camp vernal closest lodging has quit a few motels!
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[quote kissmybassgirl]

it's about 2 1/2 - 3 hours from slc depending on who is driving.

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You are doing some serious driving if you make it that fast. My experience has been closer to 3 1/2 hours.
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well maybe 2 1/2 is a bit fast but 3 doable [] but I live just below parleys so i can get right on the road. Either way it's not a bad drive from slc for some pretty good bass-better than the longer ride south for the bass[shocked]
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