05-12-2004, 08:50 PM
[size 2][center] [/center][/size] [center][size 6]BLUE LAKE [/size][/center]
[size 2]Directions: Take I-80 west to Wendover. Take the second exit -- the one after you've gone through the notch in the mountain. Turn left, then left again onto the main street of Wendover. Drive a block and turn right (south) on Alt-US-93 (heading towards Ely). Yes, you'll be in Nevada. Watch for the "Blue Lake" sign about 15 miles later.(this sign is frequently missing or shot up beyond recognition) Take the dirt road east (left) 7 miles back into Utah and to lovely Blue Lake. Dirt road notes: When you hit the old paved road at about 1 mile, go right, then exit left on gravel again about 100 yards later. At the next fork in the road at 5.5 miles, go left, then take the next right about a half mile later. Parking area GPS is N 40[font "WP MathA"]E[/font]° 30.107' W 114[font "WP MathA"]E[/font]° 02.161'. [/size]
[size 4][size 2]Species: [/size][size 2]Large-mouth bass, bluegill, possibly green sunfish[/size]
[size 2]Tactics: Standard Bass and Bluegill techniques, Drop shotting plastics (especially senkos) almost always produces bass. Wooly buggers and other insect immitating flies work for both species. Float Tubes or small rafts/boats are recommended.[/size]
[size 2]Other Info:[/size][size 2]Blue Lake is a large spring-fed pond out in the wilderness of the Utah-Nevada border (about 20 miles south of Wendover). The warm spring water keeps the lake open year-round. Altitude is around 4,300 feet. The water: Blue Lake's water is slightly salty to the taste and light blue in color. Surface water temperature is around 78 degrees in mid-summer. Near the bottom, the temperature increases to 83. (Winter surface temperature is around 69.) There is no thermocline. Depth is 55 feet, with "boiling silt" at the bottom where water comes up from the springs. Visibility is 15-25 feet. Blue Lake is surrounded by brackish marsh. From the hard-packed parking area, you'll traverse a boardwalk about 600 feet to the lake. Float-tubes or small rafts are recommended for the best fishing. Services: There are no services available at the site, not even a bathroom. There's no fresh water. Nearest "civilization" is Wendover. Blue Lake is definitely worth the drive. Try to go on a weekday. You'll likely have the lake all to yourself. Although the setting might be a little "rustic" for some, it's a nice spot for a family outing if you can bring your own bathroom along. [/size]
[size 5]About the bugs: Blue Lake is right in the middle of a marsh. Either take insect repellant or prepare to be bug food.[/size][size 2] [/size][/size]
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[size 2]Directions: Take I-80 west to Wendover. Take the second exit -- the one after you've gone through the notch in the mountain. Turn left, then left again onto the main street of Wendover. Drive a block and turn right (south) on Alt-US-93 (heading towards Ely). Yes, you'll be in Nevada. Watch for the "Blue Lake" sign about 15 miles later.(this sign is frequently missing or shot up beyond recognition) Take the dirt road east (left) 7 miles back into Utah and to lovely Blue Lake. Dirt road notes: When you hit the old paved road at about 1 mile, go right, then exit left on gravel again about 100 yards later. At the next fork in the road at 5.5 miles, go left, then take the next right about a half mile later. Parking area GPS is N 40[font "WP MathA"]E[/font]° 30.107' W 114[font "WP MathA"]E[/font]° 02.161'. [/size]
[size 4][size 2]Species: [/size][size 2]Large-mouth bass, bluegill, possibly green sunfish[/size]
[size 2]Tactics: Standard Bass and Bluegill techniques, Drop shotting plastics (especially senkos) almost always produces bass. Wooly buggers and other insect immitating flies work for both species. Float Tubes or small rafts/boats are recommended.[/size]
[size 2]Other Info:[/size][size 2]Blue Lake is a large spring-fed pond out in the wilderness of the Utah-Nevada border (about 20 miles south of Wendover). The warm spring water keeps the lake open year-round. Altitude is around 4,300 feet. The water: Blue Lake's water is slightly salty to the taste and light blue in color. Surface water temperature is around 78 degrees in mid-summer. Near the bottom, the temperature increases to 83. (Winter surface temperature is around 69.) There is no thermocline. Depth is 55 feet, with "boiling silt" at the bottom where water comes up from the springs. Visibility is 15-25 feet. Blue Lake is surrounded by brackish marsh. From the hard-packed parking area, you'll traverse a boardwalk about 600 feet to the lake. Float-tubes or small rafts are recommended for the best fishing. Services: There are no services available at the site, not even a bathroom. There's no fresh water. Nearest "civilization" is Wendover. Blue Lake is definitely worth the drive. Try to go on a weekday. You'll likely have the lake all to yourself. Although the setting might be a little "rustic" for some, it's a nice spot for a family outing if you can bring your own bathroom along. [/size]
[size 5]About the bugs: Blue Lake is right in the middle of a marsh. Either take insect repellant or prepare to be bug food.[/size][size 2] [/size][/size]
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