12-17-2003, 09:15 PM
BEAR LAKE FISHING REPORT 12/17/2003
Fishing for both cutthroat trout has been good for both shore and boat anglers. Boat fishermen are jigging in the rockpile area, off the east side along Cisco Beach, and off the Utah State Park marina. The best lures have been tube jigs tipped with cisco in the 2”-3” size. These same anglers were also picking up some nice sized whitefish along with the cutthroat trout. In past years jigging from boats in the weed beds off the pump house on the east side has produced some excellent catches of cutthroat trout, but there hasn’t been any boats fishing this area. The shore anglers off the marina are still catching some nice cutthroat trout by casting spoons or jigs tipped with cisco. There have not been many boats trolling this past week, so there is no report for trollers. Lake trout fishing has been slow, however, some fish are still being caught by anglers jigging off the Gus Rich Point area.
The Bonneville whitefish run has peaked and the fishing should remain good for another week or so. Again, anglers fishing from boats or shore along Cisco Beach are having the best success by jigging small jigs in the 1/16 to 1/8 ounce size tipped with worms. Make sure to fish the jig right along the bottom. If you have a boat, try anchoring in about 15 feet of water and casting towards shore or vertical jigging right under the boat. If you’re fishing from shore let the jig hit bottom then bump it in along bottom trying not to get snagged in the rocks. Finally, for those with boats, some other good spots to try are along the weed beds on the west side of the lake in about 15-20 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.
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.
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.
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Fishing for both cutthroat trout has been good for both shore and boat anglers. Boat fishermen are jigging in the rockpile area, off the east side along Cisco Beach, and off the Utah State Park marina. The best lures have been tube jigs tipped with cisco in the 2”-3” size. These same anglers were also picking up some nice sized whitefish along with the cutthroat trout. In past years jigging from boats in the weed beds off the pump house on the east side has produced some excellent catches of cutthroat trout, but there hasn’t been any boats fishing this area. The shore anglers off the marina are still catching some nice cutthroat trout by casting spoons or jigs tipped with cisco. There have not been many boats trolling this past week, so there is no report for trollers. Lake trout fishing has been slow, however, some fish are still being caught by anglers jigging off the Gus Rich Point area.
The Bonneville whitefish run has peaked and the fishing should remain good for another week or so. Again, anglers fishing from boats or shore along Cisco Beach are having the best success by jigging small jigs in the 1/16 to 1/8 ounce size tipped with worms. Make sure to fish the jig right along the bottom. If you have a boat, try anchoring in about 15 feet of water and casting towards shore or vertical jigging right under the boat. If you’re fishing from shore let the jig hit bottom then bump it in along bottom trying not to get snagged in the rocks. Finally, for those with boats, some other good spots to try are along the weed beds on the west side of the lake in about 15-20 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.
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.
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.
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