04-19-2006, 11:16 PM
I am headed up to Flaming Gorge this weekend for the first Boat Trip of the year (Wyoming side -- Sqauw Hollow) I did a little searching on the net and thought i would provide those interested with some recent Info on the Gorge provided by the DWR. When i get back I will provide you with my actual report and that of Buckboard marina.
p.s. if i wasen't going to the gorge, i would be at Willard Bay, Fishermen's rumor has it that the walleye are in the rocks for the spawn. (and we all know Fishermen and Women don't Lie [
])
The small lake trout are also easier to catch than their big brothers and sisters. Early in the year is a great time to start pursuing them, as they concentrate in certain areas of the reservoir at the start of the year. Starting in late April and running through May, anglers will find concentrations of fish in the Wyoming end of the reservoir. Licensed Utah anglers can buy a $10 reciprocal stamp and fish the Wyoming portion of the reservoir.
From the confluence area to Buckboard and south, bottom flats just off the old river channel and points coming out into the reservoir will hold numerous fish. The fish are relatively shallow (30 to 50 feet) and are typically quite willing to hit a jig or lure. Anglers can troll flat bottom areas using small plugs or spoons off a downrigger or jig when they see concentrations of fish on their graphs. Good colors for spoons and plugs include chartreuse, orange and white. Good colors for jigs include whites, browns and chartreuse. If you know the fish are there, but they're not biting, try tipping your jig with a small piece of sucker meat.
As the summer progresses, the small lake trout will move south to cooler, deeper water and spread out onto many of the deeper points and structure in the reservoir. Later in the summer, anglers should fish in depths of 60 or more feet. Fishing jigs and plugs on downriggers or lead core line are good ways to catch deeper fish.
Kokanee salmon
In addition to the lake trout limit, anglers may keep four trout or kokanee salmon in aggregate, but not more than three of these fish may be kokanee salmon. As previously stated, the kokanee population in the reservoir is on a down cycle.
However, kokanee salmon will be larger than they are during years when there are more kokanee in the reservoir. The DWR is encouraging anglers to practice restraint when fishing for kokanee. Once anglers have their three fish limit, please switch and fish for another species. Kokanee salmon do not fair as well with catch and release fishing as some other species do, such as bass and lake trout. This is especially true when the water temperature warm ups.
By not catching and releasing kokanee salmon, you will help ensure enough fish remain in the population to complete a successful spawn this fall.
Burbot
Anglers should be aware that burbot, or ling, have entered the reservoir through the Green River in Wyoming after being illegally introduced to the drainage.
New fishing regulations state that anglers must keep and kill any burbot they catch. Burbot have only been caught in the northern portion of the reservoir but they're expected to move south with time. Anglers should familiarize themselves with what burbot look like in case they catch one.
[signature]
p.s. if i wasen't going to the gorge, i would be at Willard Bay, Fishermen's rumor has it that the walleye are in the rocks for the spawn. (and we all know Fishermen and Women don't Lie [
]) The small lake trout are also easier to catch than their big brothers and sisters. Early in the year is a great time to start pursuing them, as they concentrate in certain areas of the reservoir at the start of the year. Starting in late April and running through May, anglers will find concentrations of fish in the Wyoming end of the reservoir. Licensed Utah anglers can buy a $10 reciprocal stamp and fish the Wyoming portion of the reservoir.
From the confluence area to Buckboard and south, bottom flats just off the old river channel and points coming out into the reservoir will hold numerous fish. The fish are relatively shallow (30 to 50 feet) and are typically quite willing to hit a jig or lure. Anglers can troll flat bottom areas using small plugs or spoons off a downrigger or jig when they see concentrations of fish on their graphs. Good colors for spoons and plugs include chartreuse, orange and white. Good colors for jigs include whites, browns and chartreuse. If you know the fish are there, but they're not biting, try tipping your jig with a small piece of sucker meat.
As the summer progresses, the small lake trout will move south to cooler, deeper water and spread out onto many of the deeper points and structure in the reservoir. Later in the summer, anglers should fish in depths of 60 or more feet. Fishing jigs and plugs on downriggers or lead core line are good ways to catch deeper fish.
Kokanee salmon
In addition to the lake trout limit, anglers may keep four trout or kokanee salmon in aggregate, but not more than three of these fish may be kokanee salmon. As previously stated, the kokanee population in the reservoir is on a down cycle.
However, kokanee salmon will be larger than they are during years when there are more kokanee in the reservoir. The DWR is encouraging anglers to practice restraint when fishing for kokanee. Once anglers have their three fish limit, please switch and fish for another species. Kokanee salmon do not fair as well with catch and release fishing as some other species do, such as bass and lake trout. This is especially true when the water temperature warm ups.
By not catching and releasing kokanee salmon, you will help ensure enough fish remain in the population to complete a successful spawn this fall.
Burbot
Anglers should be aware that burbot, or ling, have entered the reservoir through the Green River in Wyoming after being illegally introduced to the drainage.
New fishing regulations state that anglers must keep and kill any burbot they catch. Burbot have only been caught in the northern portion of the reservoir but they're expected to move south with time. Anglers should familiarize themselves with what burbot look like in case they catch one.
[signature]
