How much wind is too much on Utah Lake?

[Chasing_Walleye]

I have a 15-16 foot ski boat and would like to take it out on Utah lake for some cat fishing today but the weather forecast is for 9mph winds. is that too high of winds to take a boat out on the lake?

Thanks in advance for your help.
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[sharksugar101]

A little wind is too much wind, unless it's hot or there are bugs out. I always tell people if you don't feel comfortable on the water when the winds kick up, get off. It's just a hassle if you're anchored or trolling in it.
It just depends on how bad you want to go fishing!
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[Chasing_Walleye]

I agree safety first and yes I would be anchored fishing in along the brush.

I think I'll go down and prior to launch take a look and the waves to see if it's comfortable or not just didn't want to waste gas and a fight in the traffic just to turn around and go home.

Thank you for the reply
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[MSM1970]

wind on UL is you don't know until you get there, I usually look at the wind speed and direction at provo airport, the wind can come from any direction, mostly depends on where you launch from? south wind good at Lincoln, north wind good at AF, just watch the waves and don't stay to long if it come up fast,
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[Chasing_Walleye]

Thank for the information, I would be launching from American Fork and according to the forecast it looks like south winds
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[MSM1970]

Provo is reporting 12 mph front the sw, might be alittle rough but it don't mean that's what it is doing in AF
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[Anglinarcher]

This is a good question, a good one for any body of water.

1st, a ski boat is not a good description to go by. The freeboard of the boat would be more useful.

2nd, your personal experience and skill is not mentioned. I have over 50 years of boating experience, from inland ponds (started as a child at Kolab south of Cedar City) to the Gulf of Mexico. I bet that my skills are better then most, but not some, so experience makes a huge difference.

3rd, Utah Lake is a shallow lake, and as a result the lake will wave up faster and higher then a deep lake, so in this regard, the question would have been better asked "how high can the waves be will a 9 MPH wind at UL".

As mentioned, the wind can come from different directions because UL is so big, but I don't believe that wind makes a bad day.

Depending on the body of water, I prefer to fish with a wind. Wind breaks up the water surface reducing light penetration. Wind moves plankton around, stirs up mud in clear lakes, starts baitfish movement, etc., all creating some of the best fishing conditions.

But, getting back to your question, it all depends on your experience. Until recently I used a modified deep V Lund style boat, 18', with a 90 horse motor, and I would not be afraid of UL with a 20 MPH wind. I would not do it because it would be uncomfortable, but I would be safe. Did I mention I have lots of experience.

It all depends, it all depends.

[fishin]
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[fsh4fun05]

The only two times I wish I wouldn't have launched were both at Utah Lake. I can't say what the winds speeds were but both times it started as a little breeze. It can be scary out there. The weatherman is calling for wind so it's going to be windy on UL for sure. Be careful.
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[Chasing_Walleye]

Update: I was able to get my non v shaped boat which is about 60+ horsepower on the water and launched out of American Fork. There were waves that rocked the boat a bit making fishing on the bottom hard but the wind and waves were tolerable but when the other boats who were not fishing drove by back and forth close to shore it created waves that would really rock the boat and I had a hard time keeping my line tight. I was about 20-30 yards away from the brush line but my anchors would not hold and I drifted closer to shore too close for comfort about every 30 min.

Me and my wife did manage to catch 8 healthy looking channel cats in a few hours missing about 5-8 hits of course I'll say those were the monster cats even with the wind and movement of line in about 2 or less feet of water. We fished from about 6:00 to 8:00pm

Average size ranged from 6-8 lbs with one really large one. They have some girth to them it seams this year. with the largest hitting 30 inches. Too bad I didn't sign up for the cat contest this year.

No pictures I got home when it was dark and I'm Asian so my parents made short work of cleaning and cutting the heads off before I even got the boat cleaned.
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[Piscophilic]

Thanks for the report. I'm glad you got out and found some fish and I wish you had signed up for the contest too! We need those 30 inchers for the south team!

Nice work!
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[SkunkedAgain]

Man you just missed the sign up dead line too, it just closed the end of May.... Always need to sign up, the price is right (free to enter) it would have been the first 30" fish for the south this year... Glad you had a great trip... Did the waves seem okay other than the annoyance for fishing in them? Usually 10 mph is where I start to decide not to fish, below that you are usually okay, but it's best if the wind is below 6 mph in my opinion... What I hate is loading a boat after the wind kicks up, the fishing isn't too bad, but pulling the boat out and getting it on the trailer is what I hate... Especially if you have an unprotected ramp so you get the full waves to help ya out...Glad you had a good trip... Later J
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[Chasing_Walleye]

American Fork Boat harbor was pretty easy to get launched and loaded because of the size and surrounding rocks, but the wind was 9 MPH under the 10 mark and I definitely agree anything over 10 I do not trust in Utah lake well with my boat anyways.

The waves were fine for fishing I just should have retied some heavier sinkers but when the other boats passed that's when we really rocked back and forth but if there wasn't so many boats out it was constant.

I signed up last year but didn't put in any entries because I didn't get anything 30 inches or above I kept getting 28 inchers. but most of the time I go spur of the moment keeping my rods in the car so I kept forgetting a measuring tape and the BFT sign.
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[hogstalker]

You ask a simple question and somebody has to write a book,cracks me up.
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[Fowl-Hook]

That simple question requires a book to considerately respond too. Taking the time to respond with some detail was considerate and contained many good points regarding Utah lake and wind.
It's a deadly place when windy and decisions should be based on individual equipment, experience and good judgement. Error always on the side of safety.
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[ice_sled]

I fish Utah Lake quite a bit and use 10 mph as my guide. If there are gust probable I choose to stay home or chose to fish from the bank. Miss a few days fishing but I live to fish another day.
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