Fishing Report for Central Utah August 31, 2012

BURRASTON PONDS: (August 31) Conservation Officer Jay Topham reports fair to good fishing, but there aren't many anglers at the ponds. PowerBait is the most popular bait. The ponds are located between Mona and Nephi.

CANYON VIEW PARK POND: (August 31) Conservation Officer Shawn Bagley reports that the pond is open and fishing is fair to good. Worms or PowerBait are the best baits to use during the day. Trout usually stack up in the southwest corner, which is the deepest part of the pond.

DEER CREEK RESERVOIR: (August 31) The water is very low, but boats can still launch. Bass fishing continues to be good, although most of the bass are fairly small. Try using jigs and Rapalas. You'll find the best fishing in the early morning and evening hours. Trout fishing has been fair from boats, using pop gear and a worm. Trout fishing from the shoreline has been slow. For more information, call Deer Creek State Park at 435-654-0171.

DIAMOND FORK RIVER: (August 31) Hoppers are still an effective fly pattern, and small fly patterns or spinners will also work well. Bait is allowed on this river, and there's not much fishing pressure.

GRANTSVILLE RESERVOIR: (August 31) Fishing at Grantsville has been steady. Patient anglers are catching fish in the early morning and evening hours. The fish are good-sized, so just waiting out the heat of the day is the key. Fishing pressure is moderate, and campsites are open. The water level is dropping, but boats can still launch.

HIGHLAND GLEN PARK: (August 31) Anglers report slow to fair trout fishing. Most anglers are using traditional baits. There's a two-fish limit at all community ponds.

JORDANELLE RESERVOIR: (August 31) The water level continues to drop. Anglers report fair fishing for smallmouth bass. Most bass are 12 inches or smaller. Boat anglers report slow to fair action while trolling, and they are using more caution in some areas because of the low water. You'll find the best success in the mornings and evenings.

KIDNEY POND: (August 31) Fishing is slow to fair using traditional baits and lures.

MIDAS POND: (August 31) Most anglers are using traditional catfish baits such as worms or even hot dogs. Trout fishing is slow to fair.

MILL HOLLOW RESERVOIR: (August 31) Anglers are seeing good success for trout. Most are using traditional baits and lures. Fishing pressure is light during the week, and a bit heavier on weekends. This is a good reservoir to try your hand at catching fish with a fly and a bubble around dawn or dusk. Use about three to four feet of leader between the fly and bubble and retrieve very slowly toward shoreline. The campgrounds are open. Call the U.S. Forest Service at 435-654-0470 for more information on camping in this area.

NINE MILE RESERVOIR: (August 31) The reservoir is very low, and shoreline anglers will need to use a bobber to keep their bait out of the vegetation. Dead minnows are a good bait choice here. Overall, fishing is slow to fair. Conservation Officer Casey Mickelson recommends driving up 12-Mile Canyon, where anglers are having success at many higher-elevation waters, including Shingle Mill, Deep Lake, Springhill Pond and Lower WPA. Spinning lures and flies work well at these lakes.

PALISADE RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (August 31) Water levels at Palisade Reservoir are dropping, which makes water access difficult. Paddleboats and canoe rentals have been removed for the summer, and park managers anticipate removing the swimming docks shortly. The boat ramp is out of water. Low water levels are creating an unpleasant odor, which can be very strong at times. The park is still open for day use, and the restrooms are open. Fishing has been great from the shore, and anglers are catching good-sized fish. For more information, visit stateparks.utah.gov or call 435-835-7275.

PAYSON LAKE: (August 31) Conservation Officer Shawn Bagley reports good fishing from the shoreline, rafts and canoes. He also reminds campers to be careful with fires. Worms or PowerBait are popular choices. Flies can be very effective during the low-light hours when the surface is smooth.

PROVO RIVER, LOWER: (August 31) Trout fishing is fair to good with small dark fly patterns. Dry flies are working fairly well in the morning, and lately, the best time has been during the evening hours. Bait is allowed in some stretches of the river. Please read the Utah Fishing Guidebook for more information on these areas and for special regulations on the river.

PROVO RIVER, MIDDLE: (August 31) Anglers report that scud patterns, San Juan worms, hares' ears, green drakes or grasshopper imitations are good choices for brown trout (and some rainbows). Bait is allowed from above Charleston Bridge to the Legacy Bridge. Harvest of legal-sized fish is encouraged. Please read the Utah Fishing Guidebook for the special regulations on this river.

SALEM POND: (August 31) Conservation Officer Shawn Bagley reports fair fishing success using traditional baits and lures. Park closes at 11:00 p.m.

SETTLEMENT CANYON RESERVOIR: (August 31) Fishing is fair with traditional baits, and there isn't much fishing pressure.

SILVER LAKE: (August 31) Fishing is fair for 10- to 12-inch trout with spinners, flies or baits. The main fishing pier is a little crowded, but this area gets you closer to the deep water, where fish tend to congregate.

SPANISH OAKS RESERVOIR: (August 31) Conservation Officer Shawn Bagley reports that fishing is good with traditional baits and lures. This reservoir has a beach and is a popular swimming location. Please be courteous of the numerous swimmers.

SPRING LAKE: (August 31) Conservation Officer Shawn Bagley reports good fishing for trout and catfish using traditional baits and lures.

STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR: (August 31) Anglers report that shoreline fishing is picking up! Tributaries are now closed to protect the spawning kokanee salmon. Anglers are still catching some rainbows and cutthroat at depths of around 25 to 30 feet. As the water cools over the next few weeks, fishing will improve. Don't forget: there are more than 200 tagged rainbow trout in the reservoir, and one of them could be worth $25,000! The contest runs until October 15, and you don't need to pre-register. There are special regulations in effect at Strawberry: the limit is four trout or kokanee salmon in the aggregate. No more than two may be cutthroat trout under 15 inches, and no more than one may be a cutthroat trout over 22 inches. All cutthroat trout from 15 to 22 inches must be immediately released. Trout and salmon may not be filleted, and the heads or tails may not be removed in the field or in transit. Check the Utah Fishing Guidebook for more regulations. For help differentiating the Bear Lake cutthroat trout from the rainbow trout, visit wildlife.utah.gov/strawberry/pdf/strawberry_brochure.pdf.

THISTLE CREEK: (August 31) Conservation Officer Shawn Bagley reports that fishing is good this week. Baits, lures and small flies are working well. Officer Bagley recommends fishing the lower Spanish Fork River and asks anglers to please be respectful of the area's landowners.

TIBBLE FORK RESERVOIR: (August 31) Fishing is good in both the reservoir and American Fork Creek. Try using nightcrawlers or PowerBait. Flies and lures work well in the mornings and evenings up at Silver Lake Flat Reservoir. Silver Lake is low.

UTAH LAKE: (August 31) Conservation Officers Shawn Bagley and Chad Betteridge report that there are few anglers on the lake. Angler Mark Hadley reports slow to fair success for white bass, with only a couple of small fish caught. Other anglers report fair fishing for white bass near the river mouths and other areas. Any bait-tipped jig or small action lure will work well once you find the schools of fish. If you're fishing for catfish, you'll have the best success with worms or stink baits.

VERNON RESERVOIR: (August 31) The water level is very low, and the fishing is slow. You can see fish rising all across the lake in the morning and early evening hours. Boating with electric motors is allowed, but the low water levels are making it difficult to launch. Float tubes are a better bet.

VIVIAN PARK POND: (August 31) Fishing is slow to fair using traditional baits and lures.

YUBA RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (August 31) Anglers are primarily catching carp. Some northern pike are being caught by those that know how to catch them. Casting fish-imitating lures in moderately shallow water (near vegetation) can be the key to success, but you'll need patience to land one of these large fish. For camping reservations or more information about day use, rentals and camping, visit the Yuba State Park website. For boating conditions, call the state park at 435-758-2611.