Spring Time Fishing in Utah

  March 29, 2014, 5:38 pm

By Matt Pelton

Whenever I see the ice break up on Utah Lake, I start getting excited! In a state that is known for its trout fishing, Utah Lake boasts some of the best Walleye and White Bass fishing around. In the mid to late parts of March when the water begins to warm up, White bass and Walleye run for the rivers and rocky shores of the lake to spawn. This generally begins when the water temperature reaches 50 degrees. Unlike salmon and trout species where appetite is diminished while spawning, Walleye and Bass have an increased appetite eating everything in sight. The spawn begins with the water temperature rising and ends in approximately two weeks after that. Once the spawn ends, the fish go back to their normal routine and disperse throughout the lake. Utah Lake is the 10th largest natural lake in the country so there's a lot of lake for them to spread out.

Walleye can be found in the mouths of all the rivers that flow into Utah Lake as well as Lincoln beach (near Payson) and the Lindon Bubble up (about a half mile south of the Lindon Boat marina). The best technique for walleye I have found is to troll near the weeds in these areas using a cut minnow (a large frozen minnow cut in half) rigged with a #2 snell hook on a steel leader with a swivel and a flasher (like a spinner blade) attached to the swivel. I have also found success trolling with shad pattern Rapala type lures, especially the ones with the blood color around the gill area. If you can find a full moon or near to during the spawn, night fishing casting bright silver rapala type lures can be extremely effective. If you don't have a boat, you can be just as effective using chest waders. Position yourself 30 yards out from the weeds, cast to the weeds and retrieve towards open water. Be careful if you are wading in the lake as the silt on the bottom can be soft in places and suck you in. If you get stuck in the muck; lift your foot forward bending at your knee and rock your heel back and forth gently to release the suction of the mud. It can be frustrating at times but that is part of fishing Utah Lake.

If you catch a female walleye and it is evident she has a belly full of eggs (it will look like a bulging pouch in her abdomen), let her go, it is not required by law but it will help to preserve the species. Male walleye can be kept and enjoyed. Walleye, in my opinion is the king of the freshwater fish on the table. The meat is firm and mild with a hint of sweet citrus flavor. The best quick way to prepare it is to roll the fillet in a mix of flour and seasoning salt and then tossed into a skillet with a mix of butter and olive oil. Fry it on both sides until it is golden brown and the meat is solid white in color. Squeeze a little lemon juice abd parmesan cheese on the top.

White bass can be found in the same places as the walleye but they are a lot more abundant. In addition to the areas listed above, white bass can also be found spawning in mud lakes (Provo bay), Spirngville WMA (between mud lakes and the Springville 4th south exit on the west frontage road), and Sandy Beach (west of Springville). White bass can be caught by the hundreds using a basic silver spinner or a chartreuse green jig. As with the walleye, the bass are going to stay near the weeds looking for bait fish, frogs, and mice to eat. Cast towards the weeds and retrieve to open water. The bass like to run in schools and if you find the school you can continually catch as many as you want by tossing your lure right in the middle of them. Unlike the walleye there is no limit on the amount of white bass you can keep. My limit Is how many bass I feel like filleting or giving to neighbors. White bass is extremely mild in flavor and can be prepared in many ways. I like to sautee the meat in butter, add some taco seasoning, and a little fresh squeezed lime, and make fish tacos with corn tortillas, avocados, cheese, tomatoes, and salsa.