I remember going to Farmington Bay as a scout once and seeing some carp in there. Does anyone know if fishing is allowed there. Carp sure are a blast to catch on a fly. Also are there any other places close to Layton that have lots of carp in them? I know Utah Lake has a ton but thats a bit of a drive. I've also heard that Willard has a few but don't want to pay $10 to catch a carp.
[cool][#0000ff]Yes, there are a lot of carp in FB. And yes you can fish wherever there is public access. During the non-hunting season there are quite a few areas with locked gates. One good spot...when the water is running along with the carp is where the Jordan River inlet comes in.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are also quite a few places around Willard where you can access carp shooting without having to pay a fee. You can walk up the north dike at the south marina...by parking on the road by the water users buildings. Lots of carp roll in the brush beside the dike. But it is cold and muddy right now. Too early for good carpin.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There is also a perimeter canal that runs around the dike north of the south marina. Keep following that road winding around until you find a dirt road that runs near it. Lots of carp swim up and down that little canal. Some of the best early season carping. Ditto for the SW corner area. You can walk up over the dike anywhere along that perimeter road without having to pay. Some huge carp swim along next to the rocks.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Bountiful Pond has lots of carp too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Carpe Diem. Sieze the Carp...or carp of the day. I don't know.[/#0000ff]
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Willard has lots of carp. You'll find them all over - especially in the shallows, weedy areas. You can park by the N.Dike for $3.
Don't know how far you want to travel, but Cutler Res is loaded with them. All up-n-down the Bear river too.
We hit a slough off Airport road the other night, buddy landed a big phat one - probably 7-8 pounds easy. Good catfish bait!
I need to try making some floating carp dough. Can't keep bread on a hook! But there's always worms....
Just follow tube dudes map and anywhere along the dikes in about a month you wont be able to cast over all the carp that will be rollin at willard. You might be able to get in to Ogden bay as well, but I'm not sure if the gate is locked since waterfowl is closed.
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Thanks for the great info everyone. I know carp are shunned by most anglers because of their invasive nature, ugliness, and supposedly bad taste but I wonder how many would change their mind after having a 20 lb carp pull them all the way into their backing. The trout that they plant in the community ponds certainly won't do that. Of course if an angler is only interesting in fishing for food then they will go for the trout. For eating I'd prefer a perch, crappie, or bluegill over a trout every time.
If mother nature ever cooperates I hope to do some carp tugging in the next week or too. If you've never tried catching carp before give it a chance and see what you're missing!
Just a few tips for the beginning carper. Try using a weighted brown wooly bugger, this helps it to get in front of the fish's face faster. Don't just go around casting blindly either. You want to stalk the shores looking for active fish. When you find one you need to be extremely stealthy or else you'll spook the fish. Try to cast a few feet in front of the carp and then slowly strip the fly within inches of it's face. If you see the carp make a dash towards your fly wait a second and then set the hook. Don't be surprised it the fish makes a multiple runs causing the line to scream off your reel. Fish on! [fishon]
Speaking of 20 pound carp here is a couple that I found this year. Any time you want to go carpin give me a call I am definitely addicted
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Quote:For eating I'd prefer a perch, crappie, or bluegill over a trout every time.
+1 Googolplex
I'd add walleye, bass, and catfish to your list of fish to eat over trout. [
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Carp are fun to catch no doubt. I've caught quite a few on light tackle. Can't imagine what it would be like on a fly rod...
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