Willard Bay Drive-by

[Freakyfisherman]

I watched a YouTube video about fishing for walleyes in 35 degree water. It seems walleyes stage earlier than I thought.  They were using blade baits, with a small slow jigs.
When the south marina opens up I'd like to try it. Thanks for your report.

There are a lot of other videos about catching walleyes through the ice...but usually in midwestern lakes with much bigger populations of walleyes than we have.  They also are allowed to use live minnows and leeches there.  

A lot of the early 'eyes are caught up in rivers where the walleye stack up waiting for the water to warm enough for spawning.  Utah's walleyes act about the same.  They do start going up the Provo River in early March, but you can't catch and keep them during the spawn...from tributaries.  Ditto for walleyes following the current coming in from the canal at the south marina of Willard.   And that spot remains open for fishing.  There are probably already snaggers at work below the baffles.

I have caught walleyes out of Willard just as the ice was breaking up...with water temps in the mid 30s.  They will hit if you can find them and serve them something they want.  If is a big two letter word.

I dunno if the eyes are in the inlet. Last drive by, no water coming into Willard and the canal that feeds into it is almost bone dry. The water level is so bad at Willard. Not many spots where the water meets up to the bottom of the dike. I walked a long way yesterday on the north dike before I saw water up to the bottom of the dike bolders. Willard may be tough fishing this year.
Gabe