Blue Lake Report

[Cowboypirate]

So we were planning our first run at the catfish challenge Saturday on one of the northern Utah waters, but family plans changed at the last minute, so Cookie and I opted to make our run to Blue Lake so she could check Tilapia off her Utah Fishing Grand slam list.

It was a quick trip out (if you can consider driving all the way to Wendover and then south to the blue waters as quick). As it was a last minute decision we got there mid day and missed early prime time. Weather was very pleasant and going this early in the season - no bugs - big plus.

First we did not fish the main Blue lake area. Lots of people, practicing social distancing on a family Saturday outing on the main lake, so we left that to them. We did talk to some people who hit it early before the crowds and they picked up 16 largemouth - I did not ask about the methods or baits.

We fished the upper ponds and springs specifically targeting Tilapia. We fished small jig heads with small curly tails in dark colors or split tails, tipped with a worm. Real simple set up. The Tilapia looked to be right in the middle of spring whoppie and were oddly not as aggressive as normal, but we still picked up a few. And as always we picked up a large selection of whatever those (Cichlids?) are wandering the waters. Crazy the different types offish in there that people have unloaded from their aquariums.

Blue Lake is a great trip to change things up, but I would go during the week right now if I was going to go again. Oh and it is a bit odd to drive through Wendover and see empty, yellow tapped off casino parking lots. A real bummer to not get a breakfast buffet.

here is the video report

https://youtu.be/qWd-0B2G3IY

[Jig-fisher]

Cool looking fish!

[ELM 71]

I used to hear stories of lots oof vehicle vandalism at blue lake. Do you know if thats under control now or if it still happenes frequently?
                                           thanx
                                           lee

[Kent]

Looks like a fun time.  I have visitied the lakes before but didn't bring a rod along.  I bet those Tilapia are good eating.

[Cowboypirate]

I used to hear stories of lots oof vehicle vandalism at blue lake. Do you know if thats under control now or if it still happenes frequently?
                                           thanx
                                           lee

I know this has been a problem in the past. I personally have never had a issue, but I still pack heat when I go based on others feedback. On this day there were a lot of families with kids out and a lot of cars in the main blue lake lot. So no real risk. Someone was camping in a motor home. I am prettty sure I would NOT do that.

On a side note the road in had been recently graded and was as good as I have seen it.

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Looks like a fun time.  I have visitied the lakes before but didn't bring a rod along.  I bet those Tilapia are good eating.

They were chucked full of eggs and Cookie did not want to fillet them so they ended up as garden fertilizer. . Any help we did to the catch and kill edict, will be easily overcome by thier impressive breeding program. While we were fishing down a couple pot holes, a group with kids came into the upper pond with kyacks. There splshing around pushed waves and waves of smaller Tilapia out towards us. Looks like a samon spawing river.

[TheOtherSide]

Very cool. Watching your video, I realized we ran into each other at the cisco disco.
Looked like a great time. love reading about everyone being able to get out and still practice their social distancing.

[Bassomatic]

Love the video!  Thanks for sharing!  Looked like Cookie didn't listen to the words though, as far as I could tell, she caught all your fish! 

[Cowboypirate]

Love the video!  Thanks for sharing!  Looked like Cookie didn't listen to the words though, as far as I could tell, she caught all your fish! 

She never does listen, just keeps catching fish. Always asks me to sing - Then laughs when I do cause I cant pay attention to my bait and sing at the same time. I am starting to sense an undercover plot at work

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Love the video!  Thanks for sharing!  Looked like Cookie didn't listen to the words though, as far as I could tell, she caught all your fish! 

Next time you see us - stop by. We always have a stick of jerky and a cold coke to share, along with some fishing bull

[JBSPARKIE]

Cowboy Pirate, I am thinking of taking my 15 year old daughter out on Saturday due to the fact that the closure of Wasatch County crushed my dreams of hitting Chicken Creek East one last time   I had such a great day there last Saturday. Anyway, wondering if you have any recomendations of what direction to head and try when we get there. Would you recomend muck boots or waders? I have never been out there before.  Thanks in advance for any information.

[Cowboypirate]

Muck boots for sure. It can be muddy and marshy. The upper ponds (farthest west) are my favorite for Tilipia and the various Chilids. They can be spooky, so think like your approaching a big brown with your flyrod and your chances will improve. I usually chase them with small jigs tipped with a worm. I would bet doing so with a tiny slip bobber would also work great. While I have never used my fly rod, I think that would be a great option and I would start with a black water beetle imitation as they seem to always have them in thier bellies. I see other have luck with traditional silver spinners and my wife just dunked a worm last time and chilled, with great results. The Tilipia are normally very aggressive. In the inlet are some ferocious little tiny chiclids Take the smallest hook you can get and tip with a tiny piece of worm and dangle in front of them. They will keep you entertained for hours as they steal your bait.

If bass is your game skip the upper ponds and go right to the lower blue lake parking lot. Try to get there early as Saturday can see a few people and they can spook the bass. I dont normally fish for the bass, but there are some nice ones in there. It is getting close to them starting to making beds so traditional early spring techniques and baits will work. There are still a few big bluegill in the lower lake, but you are going to have to be floating to get over top the deepest holes to drop a little munchie down. If you are really good with a slip bobber, you might get it done from shore. I have never done it but I am sure dunking a worm in the deeper holes on the lake would provide some entertainment, too.

For more on Bass. Look at Krakenbass website. He has a number of write ups on this lake and bass methods. Fishing with Tolby has a few youtube videos on blue lake that could help.

Feel free to PM me and good luck

[CrayDad]

Didn't realize there's also a Blue Lake in Sanpete county. Glad I double checked google maps before planning a trip. lol

[Cowboypirate]

Craydad

I think there about 5 blue lakes in Utah and in my current stir crazy state of mind I would go to any of them: ice, sand, snow, wind, who cares. Even my beagle is starting to look funny at me mumbling and wandering the home halls.