10-23-2018, 01:44 PM
Bear Lake
Scott Tolentino
Good
The surface water temperature at Bear Lake is 53F and continues to drop. Water level has dropped about 3.5 feet this year but boats can still be launched at the Utah State Park marina, 1st Point, Cisco Beach and Rainbow Cove boat ramps in Utah AND courtesy docks are in the water at all locations. There is also boat launching available on the Idaho side of the lake at their North Beach ramp.
Repaving of the road along the entire east side of the lake in Utah is making some progress and as of October 23rd, the road is pretty much paved from Laketown to the Rainbow Cove Boat Ramp area. There are no delays due to construction. Paving is continuing and we will try to keep things updated on access as frequently as possible.
Fishing for cutthroat trout has been good and lake trout fishing has been very good. Anglers are reporting the best success by trolling with downriggers and minnow type lures off Rainbow Cove and North Eden for both cutthroat and lake trout. Try trolling very shallow in the rocky shoreline areas. This past weekend anglers were catching fish from 10’ out of 40’ of water. Go shallow in the mornings and move out deeper as the sun comes up. Some anglers are also catching both cutthroat and lake trout by trolling and jigging off the Gus Rich Point/Rockpile area. You might also try fishing off the Idaho State Park on the east side of the lake and off of the Utah State Park marina. If you are jigging for trout, use tube jigs or swim baits in various colors in ½ to 1 ounce sizes and 3-6” long tipped with cisco, sucker meat or Gulp minnows. Reliable colors are white, green and chartreuse. Shore fishing has been very good for spawning lake trout casting large spinners and spoons or using fly rods with large rabbit fur or articulated sculpin patterns. The best spots have been off the Utah State Park marina and off the North Beach Jetty in Idaho. The best times are from about 5pm until midnight and then again just prior to sunrise.
The trout limit is two fish. Cutthroat trout with a fin clip may be kept; cutthroat trout with all fins intact must be immediately released. Large Lake Trout take a long time to reach large sizes, and while they are legal to keep, many anglers are encouraging other anglers to release them.
Garden City Community Fishery Pond
The pond has been stocked with sterile rainbow trout in early October and there has not been a lot of fishing pressure. The reservoir is total full. Fishing should be red hot for the rest of the fall and into the winter. Try using a small fly behind a bubble, dry flies on the surface, casting small spinners or spoons. Worms and powerbait about 12-24” under a bobber can also work well. Please use the self-service creel cards and let the UDWR know how you did fishing.
Laketown Reservoir
Laketown Reservoir has been producing some decent catches of rainbow trout and cutthroat trout, and weeds are beginning to subsides. Water levels are near full pool. Use small spinners and flies behind a bubble fished close to the surface for best results.
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Scott Tolentino
Good
The surface water temperature at Bear Lake is 53F and continues to drop. Water level has dropped about 3.5 feet this year but boats can still be launched at the Utah State Park marina, 1st Point, Cisco Beach and Rainbow Cove boat ramps in Utah AND courtesy docks are in the water at all locations. There is also boat launching available on the Idaho side of the lake at their North Beach ramp.
Repaving of the road along the entire east side of the lake in Utah is making some progress and as of October 23rd, the road is pretty much paved from Laketown to the Rainbow Cove Boat Ramp area. There are no delays due to construction. Paving is continuing and we will try to keep things updated on access as frequently as possible.
Fishing for cutthroat trout has been good and lake trout fishing has been very good. Anglers are reporting the best success by trolling with downriggers and minnow type lures off Rainbow Cove and North Eden for both cutthroat and lake trout. Try trolling very shallow in the rocky shoreline areas. This past weekend anglers were catching fish from 10’ out of 40’ of water. Go shallow in the mornings and move out deeper as the sun comes up. Some anglers are also catching both cutthroat and lake trout by trolling and jigging off the Gus Rich Point/Rockpile area. You might also try fishing off the Idaho State Park on the east side of the lake and off of the Utah State Park marina. If you are jigging for trout, use tube jigs or swim baits in various colors in ½ to 1 ounce sizes and 3-6” long tipped with cisco, sucker meat or Gulp minnows. Reliable colors are white, green and chartreuse. Shore fishing has been very good for spawning lake trout casting large spinners and spoons or using fly rods with large rabbit fur or articulated sculpin patterns. The best spots have been off the Utah State Park marina and off the North Beach Jetty in Idaho. The best times are from about 5pm until midnight and then again just prior to sunrise.
The trout limit is two fish. Cutthroat trout with a fin clip may be kept; cutthroat trout with all fins intact must be immediately released. Large Lake Trout take a long time to reach large sizes, and while they are legal to keep, many anglers are encouraging other anglers to release them.
Garden City Community Fishery Pond
The pond has been stocked with sterile rainbow trout in early October and there has not been a lot of fishing pressure. The reservoir is total full. Fishing should be red hot for the rest of the fall and into the winter. Try using a small fly behind a bubble, dry flies on the surface, casting small spinners or spoons. Worms and powerbait about 12-24” under a bobber can also work well. Please use the self-service creel cards and let the UDWR know how you did fishing.
Laketown Reservoir
Laketown Reservoir has been producing some decent catches of rainbow trout and cutthroat trout, and weeds are beginning to subsides. Water levels are near full pool. Use small spinners and flies behind a bubble fished close to the surface for best results.
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