12-09-2003, 09:28 PM
[size 1]BEAR LAKE FISHING REPORT 12/9/2003.
Fishing for both cutthroat and lake trout has only been fair this past week. Anglers jigging off the rockpile have had some slow days, with the best action coming on large (4-5") tube jigs tipped with cisco or sucker meat jigged right on the bottom. If the rockpile is slow, it may pay to move over to the east side off the pump house or off the drop-offs around 1st and 2nd points. Experiment with different colors until you find one that works the best. I talked to several boats who were trolling this week and they caught fish off the east side around the South Eden and North Eden canyon mouths. Lures fished off downriggers set within 5 feet of bottom and trolling at very slow speeds have been the most productive. The best lures have been minnow imitations.
The Bonneville whitefish are in the middle of their spawning run and the fishing has been good. Anglers fishing from boats along Cisco Beach have been having good success by jigging for whitefish. Anglers are using small jigs in the 1/16 to 1/8 ounce size. Some anglers are tipping their jigs with a small piece of worm. Make sure to fish the jig right along the bottom. Try anchoring in about 15 feet of water and casting towards shore. Some days the fish seem to be very aggressive and other days the bite is very light. You may also want to consider jigging along the weed beds on the west side of the lake in about 20 feet of water south of Gus Rich Point to the rest area or off the "pump house" area south of 1st Point on the east side of the lake. Cutthroat and lake trout will follow the whitefish in to feed on both them and their eggs and trout can be taken along with the whitefish.
Bonneville whitefish put up a scrappy fight and can run up to about 3 pounds, but average about 1 pound. The whitefish meat makes excellent eating either fried or baked or you can even smoke whitefish for a great holiday treat. The limit on whitefish is 10 fish, don’t feel guilty about keeping a few to make a good meal. Finally, if you are fishing from a boat and there are shore fishermen present, be courteous and give them enough room to make their casts. Boats are a lot more mobile than anglers fishing from shore.
Fishing from shore by casting with spinning and fly tackle in the early mornings off the Utah State Park marina has also been producing some nice cutthroat trout and the occasional lake trout, however, whitefish fishing has been slow. There have been a few shore fishermen and float tubers fishing along Cisco Beach and they are catching a few whitefish.
The Utah State Park will not be plowing the boat ramp at the marina since it is too steep for the plow. You may consider bringing some rock salt or sand just in case you cannot get your truck and boat back up a snowy or icy ramp. The State Park has de-icers running in the marina and the boat ramp is open for all sizes of boats. Smaller boats may be launched off the shore at several points around the lake, however, a 4-wheeled drive vehicle is recommended. The new "low water only" concrete launching ramp along South Cisco Beach has been a good spot to launch smaller boats in that area.[/size]
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Fishing for both cutthroat and lake trout has only been fair this past week. Anglers jigging off the rockpile have had some slow days, with the best action coming on large (4-5") tube jigs tipped with cisco or sucker meat jigged right on the bottom. If the rockpile is slow, it may pay to move over to the east side off the pump house or off the drop-offs around 1st and 2nd points. Experiment with different colors until you find one that works the best. I talked to several boats who were trolling this week and they caught fish off the east side around the South Eden and North Eden canyon mouths. Lures fished off downriggers set within 5 feet of bottom and trolling at very slow speeds have been the most productive. The best lures have been minnow imitations.
The Bonneville whitefish are in the middle of their spawning run and the fishing has been good. Anglers fishing from boats along Cisco Beach have been having good success by jigging for whitefish. Anglers are using small jigs in the 1/16 to 1/8 ounce size. Some anglers are tipping their jigs with a small piece of worm. Make sure to fish the jig right along the bottom. Try anchoring in about 15 feet of water and casting towards shore. Some days the fish seem to be very aggressive and other days the bite is very light. You may also want to consider jigging along the weed beds on the west side of the lake in about 20 feet of water south of Gus Rich Point to the rest area or off the "pump house" area south of 1st Point on the east side of the lake. Cutthroat and lake trout will follow the whitefish in to feed on both them and their eggs and trout can be taken along with the whitefish.
Bonneville whitefish put up a scrappy fight and can run up to about 3 pounds, but average about 1 pound. The whitefish meat makes excellent eating either fried or baked or you can even smoke whitefish for a great holiday treat. The limit on whitefish is 10 fish, don’t feel guilty about keeping a few to make a good meal. Finally, if you are fishing from a boat and there are shore fishermen present, be courteous and give them enough room to make their casts. Boats are a lot more mobile than anglers fishing from shore.
Fishing from shore by casting with spinning and fly tackle in the early mornings off the Utah State Park marina has also been producing some nice cutthroat trout and the occasional lake trout, however, whitefish fishing has been slow. There have been a few shore fishermen and float tubers fishing along Cisco Beach and they are catching a few whitefish.
The Utah State Park will not be plowing the boat ramp at the marina since it is too steep for the plow. You may consider bringing some rock salt or sand just in case you cannot get your truck and boat back up a snowy or icy ramp. The State Park has de-icers running in the marina and the boat ramp is open for all sizes of boats. Smaller boats may be launched off the shore at several points around the lake, however, a 4-wheeled drive vehicle is recommended. The new "low water only" concrete launching ramp along South Cisco Beach has been a good spot to launch smaller boats in that area.[/size]
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