Admittedly, I only fish Scofield once or twice a year, at most. But it seems like over the past 4-5 years I catch 75% chubs whether it's through the ice or during the summer from a boat. I use medium sized tube jigs tipped with a crawler almost exclusively.
Please shoot me straight, because it probably won't impact how often I make it out to Scofield either way. So let me know your thoughts on Scofield.
Has the chub population reached unmanageable levels? Are there plans to control the population? Seems like the trout I catch are very skinny and weak looking. It used to be fun 10 years ago when I'd go to catch some tigers or some decent cutthroat. Perhaps I'm tainted by the overall size of fish from Strawberry?
My father is flying in town next week and he's never been ice fishing. The only place within a good distance from my Pleasant Grove house with ice seems to be Scofield. But I don't want to take him there if it's most likely we'll catch 24 chubs and 1 trout.
Thoughts?
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In answer to part of your post. there was a survey done a month ago in regards to Scofield and what the public would like to see done with it. Here is a link to the forum post ..
http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Utah_...s_P993616/
I have not heard of any news on that lake since then. As far as the fishing there through the ice, Mammoth is unfortunately farther but has bigger trout and safe ice last i heard.
Most of the ice fisher's i know go to scofield to stock up on chub meat for the season
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And it sounds like from reports that most people stick to the dam arm. Is that because they're specifically targeting chubs to stock up and that's where the chubs hang out? Or is it because that's where the safest ice is? Or a combo of both?
In years past I've ice fished around the bend, quite a few hundred yards away from the dam arm, and I've caught mostly trout. I've never fished the dam arm through the ice and have had good luck in other areas. But that was 5 years ago. Perhaps chubs have taken over the whole lake no matter where I ice fish? I'm wondering if there are known spots that people could recommend that won't have as many chubs.
As you can see, I'm open for any suggestions on how to get into some trout with my dad, and avoid chubs if possible. I don't have interest in stocking up on those.
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You don't want to take your dad to Scofield. The vast majority of the fish you will catch are chubs. The trout you will catch are small & bleached out (white). They probably will taste like moss. I went this past Monday & caught 29 chubs & 2 small trout 7 - 8 inches.
Take your dad to Huntington. It will a little further; however, better for trout fishing. There are some other ponds you could check out in the area - Electric Lake, Bolger, etc. Not sure if they are capped?
The dam arm of Scofield is the first to cap over with ice & has the safest ice early on. The main reservoir maybe fishable at this time - you had better verify if you go.
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Thanks for the advice. I was looking up the difference in distance and it looks like Huntington might be worth the extra time to drive out. I've never been there before and don't know the lay of the land. Any advice for a first timer to Huntington? Is there a main parking lot I should be looking for?
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Most people fish the dam arm early because it always freezes first with safe ice. They will move to other areas later on.
The lake is over run with chubs. A common cycle , it will have a few banner years followed by a trash fish issue. The DWR is studying what to do now.(mentioned survey) Since the last poisoning there has been many developments that may help scofeild this time around. Preditory fish like tiger muskie , tiger trout , wipers ect...The key is to poison it and introduce the predatory fish before the chubs get a strong hold.It could return it to the glory days
Altunitives nearby though would be electric lake/ Cleveland or as mentioned huntington (mammoth) which are all a short drive up and over the canyon from scofeild. I think Cleveland may be the best bet right now if the snow hasn't got to deep (nice size trout.
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I was there Wednesday. The lake is capped, but I only fished the Dam arm so first hand knowledge of the rest of the lake was observed from the truck only. I did see a couple guys that were around the bend to the south - in that first bay. They had a grundle load of chubs there on the ice. I didn't talk to them, just drove by, but it looked to me that the chubs are every where.
My report on the Dam arm is just like everyone else - lots of chubs.
I drove on up by Mammoth and Cleveland on my way home. Road was plowed but snow packed. Both were capped with quite a bit of snow on the ice - probably a lot more now.
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[quote kingfisher82]Thanks for the advice. I was looking up the difference in distance and it looks like Huntington might be worth the extra time to drive out. I've never been there before and don't know the lay of the land. Any advice for a first timer to Huntington? Is there a main parking lot I should be looking for?[/quote]
[#0000FF]You will definitely have better odds of scoring some nice trout on Huntington...or even Cleveland. See attached maps.
If you try Huntington (Mammoth) you can park at the dam...usually plowed out...and with a restroom. Some of the best fishing is right along the dam and then up along the shorelines. You will need sonar to find the fish... or look for bloody previous holes.
Good luck.
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Yes, Scofield Reservoir is currently considered a world class Utah chub fishery. There aren't many waters anywhere in the U.S. where you can go and ice fish for the Utah Chub and catch all you could possibly use for bait. Take advantage of this unique opportunity and take your kids. They won't care what they catch. Buy some rainbow trout at Smith's on your way home, cook them up and tell the kids you appreciate their efforts at providing dinner for the family. [
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I have been thinking of taking my kids to Scofield on New Years day for the very reason that they will catch a lot of fish. You are right TopH2o. The kids are happy when they are warm, fed and catching fish.
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You know the tournament anglers might catch 2000 to 3000 chubs. That would only leave 2.8 million for you guys to catch on New Year's day. Better get up there on New Year's Eve for your share. [
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Mike
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