Posts: 668
Threads: 1
Joined: Oct 2007
Reputation:
0
Was out this PM (sunday 9 March) at Lincoln beach. launched at noon. Water 44degrees. Lake is still 2 foot low.
11 Boat trailers in parking lot. No Quagga mussel forms or inspector there. When Utah lake gets Quaggas it will be no surprise.
caught 1 18" male in 8' of water, trolling. The shelve by the orchards is too shallow for me to fish so I moved into deeper water.
.
Lost 1 better fish ( 23 to 24") at the net.
The fish I caught and landed was a milt dripping male. For that failure of etiquette he paid with his life and will be on the plate this evening with a glass of good wine.
All future fish caught will be released unless they demonstrate their sexuality on the deck of my boat. The price for that is death regardless of the specie.
I have been walleye fishing at Lincoln beach since 1970 and this is the earliest fish I have ever caught and a very nice surprise. I hope this will be a good year. The ice at the island is disappearing, but it is dangerously shallow out there. Be careful everywhere on the lake, if you like your hull and props.
[url "http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org"]www.handinhandoutdoors.org[/url]
[signature]
Posts: 1,614
Threads: 46
Joined: Aug 2010
Reputation:
3
Nice report Pez.
I have never had much success going after the mythical walleye. I could count the number of walleyes I have caught over the past few years on one hand; on the other hand, it would take a calculator to tally up the number of curly tail jigs I have donated to the rocks out in front of the orchards. I just don't have the time and patience (intelligence??) to figure out the where, when, and what of the walleye -- too easy to just give up and go after the cats.
Maybe I'll have to give the wallys another go this year in the boat. Good excuse to get it out and make sure the little twirly thing on the motor still goes around.
Again, nice report and I admire what you're doing for the vets and kids.
BLK
[signature]
Posts: 14,424
Threads: 188
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
Nice job one of the first eye stories I've seen. Glad you broke the ice. Later J
[signature]
Posts: 2,084
Threads: 15
Joined: Nov 2002
Reputation:
0
Very nice Steve, if this weather holds a little I'll be out there this week.
how deep was the marina ??
[signature]
Posts: 668
Threads: 1
Joined: Oct 2007
Reputation:
0
Four to four and one half foot deep inside the jetties. Launching is a piece of cake, it's around the shoreline in front of the orchards that's shallow.
There were boats working the shallows (anchored and casting jigs I'm assuming) , but I was steering clear of the shelf.
My thought was with the water still so cold the walleye would be holding in the deeper water off the spawning structure. For at least two fish that was the case.
I'll be busy with the ISE show this week-end, but I might start fishing at night for them relying on my GPS to stay out of harms way.
[signature]
Posts: 137
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2010
Reputation:
0
I moved to Heber last Aug. and I am interested in fishing for walleye. Utah Lake is one area I was told to try. I have a 16ft. Bass Tracker outfitted for all types of walleye techniques. Reading the comments on Utah Lake, I know I have to be careful. Where should I launch and where should I start to become familiar with the lake? I moved to Idaho Falls, ID. In 2004 from Michigan. In Mich., I fished a lot at night for walleye's. I understand that the techniques out here are a little different than what I used in Mi.
I am also planning on going to the walleye seminar on Tuesday, that I was told about, to try to get more info from the local experts. Thank you for any info.
[signature]
Posts: 1,191
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2009
Reputation:
0
Steve, whiskey goes well with the first walleye of the season. Just giving you a heads up. [cool]
Nice job!
[signature]
Posts: 668
Threads: 1
Joined: Oct 2007
Reputation:
0
It certainly does Scott. The fact is; whiskey goes very well with just about anything after the boat is put away and the driving is done. when I was spending time in the midwest fishing the favorite there was brandy which doesn't seem to do as much damage to my brain and liver....Everything in moderation! Steve
Posts: 668
Threads: 1
Joined: Oct 2007
Reputation:
0
Although I have fished for walleye in many locations, Utah lake is an enigma for me. 40 some odd years ago we fished at Lincoln beach and Bird Islands during the spring spawn. Lures of choice were thin fins and rapalas. Today you seldom see lures used except jig heads with grubs.
There are always many anglers on the lake in the spring and after the spawn it seems as though the majority moves on and walleye are largely forgotten. This might happen because other waters open up or simply because most of the spring walleye guys cant catch them after the spawn or both.
Utah Lake is a big shallow water and since the Spring Sucker was placed on the rare and endangered list little has been done to improve the fishery. There was a time in the early 70's when the DWR was capturing walleye, taking their eggs, hatching them and placing the fry back into the lake. That ended 40 years ago, but the walleye did not die off and the success each year with the fishing largely depends on water levels, etc. There is very little structure on UL and its a big water to search for moving fish and the summer fall season is largely forgotten by most.
With the carp removal program, the lake is starting to improve. The water is clearing, conditions are improving for pike and largemouth and we are beginning to see decent conditions for them. I hope things continue to improve because it is a much under utilized fishery. Those that know it, generally love it.
Deer Creek in your back yard, has a good population of walleye and there are individuals that post to this board that understand that fishery If they are willing to share what they know.
With your experience I believe that you will be successful in your efforts. I wish you success and perhaps I will have a chance to meet you on the lake. Good luck
[signature]
Posts: 137
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2010
Reputation:
0
Thank you and I hope myself and my 9 yr. old fishing-buddy grandson can benefit from your local knowledge on walleye.
[signature]
Posts: 668
Threads: 1
Joined: Oct 2007
Reputation:
0
There are many anglers on this board that know more and catch more walleye than I do and I hope they jump in and provide you with the information you are seeking. Some will post that they caught X fish and little more, others will post what they catch, when and how.
For the last couple of years I have been busy helping create a non profit aimed at providing outdoor opportunities for our nations veterans and kids. I'm on the water almost daily, but have had little time to fish myself. I am getting old an I hope that this year will be the exception.
With the price of fuel and all of my money going to the foundation, I will fish close to home and UL is only 12 miles away. I really love fishing for catfish as we do on our big boat when we have vets and kids aboard. But this year I am going to concentrate on walleye and largemouth on UL, walleye and smallmouth on deer creek. Pike on Yuba. That should keep me busy.
Utah's best walleye fishery is Lake Powell with so many walleye that they have lifted the limit. The lake is huge and the best fishing for them is on the north end near where the Colorado river pours in at Good Hope bay and north to the mudline. Unfortunately it is a long drive.
Techniques that work on other waters might not necessarily be productive on UL, but with experimentation the mystery can be unraveled. My plan is to work the edges of the shallows trolling with side planers especially in the evening and at night. that worked Sunday and for the time being until post spawn I think it will continue to be productive.
I am delighted to fish with anyone that cares to come aboard my boat and share what little I know with anyone who desires to have the time they spend fishing more productive.
[signature]
] Fun times..