One of the best times to fish
Autumn leaves, cool weather, great fishing
There are many reasons why fall is a prime time to fish in Utah. Fewer anglers—and fewer recreational boaters—top the list.
“If you want to enjoy great fishing,” says Randy Oplinger, sport fisheries coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, “in less-crowded conditions, fall is the time to do it. Recreational boating and fishing pressure drop off dramatically in the fall.”
In addition to having more space to fish, you can also enjoy some of the best scenery, weather and fishing of the year. Oplinger gives seven reasons to consider fishing in Utah this fall. He also lists the top waters to fish.
Reason 1 – Less crowded conditions
Looking for peace and quiet? Head to your favorite fishing water. They’re much less crowded in the fall.
Reason 2 – Cooler temperatures
Fishing during the heat of summer can be tough. The cooler temperatures fall brings also bring pleasant outdoor conditions that are often perfect to fish in.
Reason 3 – Beautiful fall scenery
The blazing oranges, reds and other shades of fall provide a backdrop that makes fishing in the fall both rejuvenating and exhilarating.
Reason 4 – Active, hungry fish
In the fall, water temperatures cool to a point that’s perfect for many fish. These ideal temperatures make fish more active. And, because they’re more active, they’re hungrier and more willing to take your lure or bait.
Reason 5 – Preparing for winter
As the water cools and daylight wanes, fish sense that winter—and the limited food supply found in the winter—is on its way. The fish start feeding aggressively to try to pack weight on before their food supply dwindles.
Reason 6 – Fall spawning
Brown trout, brook trout, lake trout and splake are among the fish that spawn in the fall.
During the spawn, browns, brookies, lake trout and splake lose some of their wariness. They become more aggressive and willing to bite your bait or lure. That makes fall a great time to fish for these species.
Reason 7 – Baits, lures and flies work
Because fish are hungry and active, there’s a good chance your favorite fishing technique will work. Pull a nightcrawler along the bottom of the water you’re fishing, dangle a worm a few feet under a bobber or cast and retrieve a lure or fly, every fishing technique has a great chance of working in the fall.
Best waters to fish
Oplinger says fishing opportunities will be great this fall for families and anglers who enjoy beating the crowds while fishing in a scenic place. This fall, the following waters should provide some of the best scenery and the best fishing in the state. He also lists the best species to target in each water.
Also, if you’re going to hunt big game this fall, Oplinger encourages you to take a fishing rod and reel with you. “Big game hunting is typically best early in the morning and later in the day,” he says. “During mid-day, there’s often lots of down time. That’s a great time to grab your fishing rod and reel and take advantage of the many rivers, streams and lakes in Utah.”
Great family fishing
· Weber River (Northern Utah)
Brown trout
· Provo River (North-central Utah)
Brown trout (lower and middle sections of the river)
· Utah Lake
Walleye
· Starvation Reservoir (North-central Utah)
Walleye
Note: Walleye fishing at Starvation is best from a boat.
· Lakes, streams and rivers in the Uinta Mountains (North-central and northeastern Utah)
Trout and grayling
· Green River below Flaming Gorge Reservoir (Northeastern Utah)
Trout
· Lake Powell (Southern Utah)
Striped bass and walleye
Note: A boat is required to fish Lake Powell effectively.
Solitude
· Bear Lake (Northern Utah)
Lake trout
Note: A boat is required to catch lake trout at Bear Lake.
· Blacksmith Fork River (Northern Utah)
Brown trout
· Diamond Fork River (North-central Utah)
Brown trout
· Thistle Creek (North-central Utah)
Brown trout
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Show your license, shoot for free
Sept. 22 is National Hunting and Fishing Day
If you have a current Utah hunting, fishing or combination license, you can visit either of the Division of Wildlife Resources public shooting ranges on Sept. 22 and shoot for free. The only exception are the trap and skeet ranges at the facilities, where shooting will be half price.
“We’ll go through quite a few clay targets at the trap and skeet ranges that day,” says Gary Cook, Wildlife Recreation coordinator for the DWR. “Charging half price will help us cover the cost.”
The DWR is offering the free and discounted offer to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day. To take advantage of the offer, simply bring your current hunting, fishing or combination license to either of these ranges on Sept. 22:
Cache Valley Public Shooting Range
2851 W. 200 N.
Logan
Lee Kay Public Shooting Range
6000 W. 2100 S.
Salt Lake City
Cook says the two DWR ranges are among the best in Utah. “They’re great places to shoot,” he says. “We hope you’ll take advantage of this offer and visit them on National Hunting and Fishing Day.”
For more information, call the Cache Valley Public Shooting Range at 435-753-4600 or the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range at 801-972-1326.
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Migration season is here: see sandhill cranes
DWR holds wildlife viewing event in northeastern Utah
Vernal – If you live near a field in the Uinta Basin, you’re no stranger to the loud, rattling call of the sandhill cranes that call the area home.
On Sept. 22, you can see the birds—and learn more about them—as the Division of Wildlife Resources and its partners host a sandhill crane viewing day.
The free event runs at 7 a.m. and runs through the day. You’ll have no problem identifying the cranes: standing four feet tall, with a crimson crown and a gray body, they’re one of the largest migratory birds in the world.
See and learn about cranes
The first part of the free event runs from 7 – 9 a.m. at the Jensen Nature Park, 8775 E. 6000 S. in Jensen. DWR biologists will have spotting scopes and binoculars available so you can see cranes in fields near the park. They’ll also be happy to answer your questions about sandhill cranes.
“From the park,” says DWR Regional Conservation Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer-Selby, “biologists can direct you to additional viewing areas.”
After the morning viewing event, head to the Uintah County Library, 204 E. 100 N. in Vernal, to learn about cranes and participate in fun crane-related activities. Activities, which happen at different times from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., include sandhill crane yoga, sandhill crane crafts, a documentary film titled “Crane Song” and listening to Van Graham speak about the Rocky Mountain Population of greater sandhill cranes.
The next opportunity to view cranes happens at 4 p.m. That’s when an auto tour will leave the library and head to the crane’s roosting grounds at Pelican Lake and the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge. The auto tour wraps up at 6 p.m.
“Bring your own vehicle, clothes you’re comfortable wearing outside, binoculars if you have them, and drinks, water and snacks,” Kieffer-Selby says. “Also, if you want to get good, quality photos, bring a telephoto lens for your camera.”
For more information about the sandhill crane viewing day activities, call Kieffer-Selby at 435-781-9453.
Unique birds
Kieffer-Selby says sandhill cranes are unique birds. “They have voices that can be heard up to 2.5 miles away,” she says.
Sandhill cranes perform unique dancing and courtship rituals and then choose mates that perform the best. Laying usually two eggs in the spring, the parents and juveniles spend the first winter together until they separate the following spring.
Cranes use their extra-long legs as defense mechanisms, often kicking violently when attacked and threatened by predators. During the winter months, the cranes flock to fields, pastures, grasslands and wetlands before returning to roost along river banks and shallow lakes at night.
Damage to agricultural fields
Cranes are opportunistic eaters, grazing on plants, grains, insects, snakes and mice. For farmers, this can be frustrating, as the cranes can damage crops by digging up tubers and agricultural seed.
“We understand the frustration local farmers have with sandhill cranes,” she says. “The crop damage the cranes cause is one of the main reasons the DWR has been working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Pacific Flyway Council in increase hunting permits in the Uinta Basin. In addition to viewing cranes, we hope the event will help teach the public about the importance of wildlife management.”
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PHOTOS - six photos to accompany this story are available at https://udwrnewsphotos.zenfolio.com/p529679363 .
Contact: Tonya Kieffer-Selby, DWR Northeastern Region Conservation Outreach Manager, 435-247-1559 or 801-995-2972
Learn How to Fly Fish at Free Clinic
Clinic happens Sept. 29
Price -- Are you looking for a new angle on fishing?
If you’re a fly fishing beginner—or you’ve never tried it before—the Division of Wildlife Resources is holding a free clinic you won’t want to miss.
The DWR will offer an introduction to fly fishing clinic on Sept. 29 at the agency’s Southeastern Region office. The office is at 319 N. Carbonville Rd. in Price. The clinic begins at 8:30 a.m.
“Fly fishing is a fun and versatile method of catching fish that often looks harder than it really is,” says Walt Maldonado, DWR regional wildlife recreation specialist. “If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy wildlife, this clinic is for you.”
Maldonado says the clinic will begin with classroom instruction and a practice session. “Then,” he says, “we’ll head to a nearby community fishery where you can try your hand at catching fish. We’ll have plenty of fly fishing rods, reels and tackle on hand for you to use.”
Local experts will teach you the basics of catching fish, in a variety of settings, using flies. The following are among the topics they’ll cover:
· The gear you need
· Choosing flies that work well
· Fly fishing on lakes
· Fly fishing on rivers and streams
· Casting
· Lure presentation
The clinic is free, but if you’re 12 years of age or older, you’ll need a fishing license to participate. You can buy a license at any DWR office or online at wildlife.utah.gov.
The clinic is sponsored by Sportsman’s Corner of Bill’s Home Furnishings in Price. To register online for the free clinic, visit https://goo.gl/yxJRMq. If you have questions about the clinic, call the DWR’s Southeastern Region office at 435-613-3707.
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Editor’s note: Two chances for young hunters to get outdoors and hunt—without competition from adult hunters—are almost here. The first two news releases are the DWR’s annual reminder to get outside and enjoy Utah’s youth waterfowl and partridge hunts!
Take a young person duck hunting
Two youth waterfowl hunts in Utah this month
Hunters 17 years of age and younger will have Utah’s marshes—and the ducks and geese that go with them—all to themselves during two days in September.
A special Youth Waterfowl Hunt will be held in the Northern Zone on Sept. 22. In the Southern Zone, a youth hunt will be held on Sept. 29.
All youth hunters, including those who are 16 and 17 years of age, must be accompanied by someone 21 years of age or older to hunt on the youth days. (Normally, those 16 to 17 years of age can hunt in Utah without adult supervision.)
Blair Stringham, migratory game bird coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says one of the goals of the youth hunt is to get young hunters in the marsh with adults who can teach them responsible and ethical hunting. “To accomplish that goal,” he says, “we’ve decided—on Sept. 22 and Sept. 29 only—to require 16 and 17 year olds to have an adult with them.”
Trial Hunting program
If you’ll be 17 years of age or younger on July 31, 2018—but you haven’t completed a Hunter Education course—you can still participate in the youth hunt through the state’s Trial Hunting program. The program allows someone 21 years of age or older to take someone 12 years of age or older hunting, even if the person they’re taking hasn’t completed Hunter Education.
More information about the Trial Hunting program is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/trial.
Take a kid hunting
Stringham says taking young hunters into the marsh on Sept. 22 or Sept. 29 is the perfect way to get them interested in duck and goose hunting. He says the number of ducks in Utah peaks in mid-September.
“It’s the perfect time to be in the marsh,” he says. “The kids you take will see plenty of ducks. And they should get plenty of shots.” And the young hunters should also get your undivided attention. “Adults can’t hunt during the youth hunt,” he says, “so the kids you take will get all of your attention.”
Stringham says a youth day might be the best day you spend in the marsh all season. “Youth day is the perfect way to pass the tradition of waterfowl hunting on to the next generation,” he says. “The experiences the kids have that day are something they’ll never forget.”
Shooting on Sept. 22 starts at 6:47 a.m. On Sept. 29, shooting starts at 6:55 a.m. Except for part of the Harold Crane Waterfowl Management Area, all of the state and federal refuges in Utah will be open to youth hunters those days.
“A project to improve the water flow at Harold Crane is underway,” Stringham says, “and most of the WMA will be closed during the youth hunt. The East Pond will be open to hunting, though.”
To help you find a good spot to hunt, visit www.wildlife.utah.gov/waterfowl-opener-conditions.html. Marsh conditions—at the state’s waterfowl management areas—will be posted there soon.
Requirements
To participate in the hunt:
· If you’ve completed a Hunter Education course, you must be 17 years of age or younger on July 31, 2018. You must also have a current hunting license and Harvest Information Program (HIP) number, and be accompanied by an adult.
Also, if you’re 16 or 17 years old, you must have a federal duck stamp.
· If you haven’t completed a Hunter Education course, you must be between 12 and 17 years of age on July 31, 2018. You also must have a current hunting license and Harvest Information Program (HIP) number, a federal duck stamp (if you’re 16 or 17 years old) and be accompanied by someone 21 years of age or older. In addition, before you hunt, you must complete a brief online Trial Hunting Program Orientation course. The orientation course is among the items available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/trial.
Learn more
More information about the Youth Waterfowl Hunt, including the number of ducks and geese kids can take, is available on page 32 of the 2018 – 2019 Utah Waterfowl Guidebook. The free guidebook is available atwww.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks.
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Take a young person chukar or gray partridge hunting
Youth partridge hunt happens Sept. 22 - 24
Three days of upland game hunting fun starts Sept. 22. That’s the first day of Utah’s three-day youth chukar and gray partridge hunt.
Those who were 17 years of age or younger on July 31, 2018 can participate in the hunt. If you qualify, but you haven’t completed the state’s Hunter Education course, you can still participate through Utah’s Trial Hunting program.
(The Trial Hunting program allows someone 21 years of age or older to take a person 12 to 17 years old hunting, even if the 12- to 17-year-old hasn’t completed a Hunter Education course. More information about the program is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/trial.)
To increase the chance young hunters take a chukar, biologists with the Division of Wildlife Resources will release chukars in selected areas before the youth hunt. Starting Sept. 11, you can see which areas will receive birds online at https://bit.ly/2PFWUzx .
Take a kid hunting
Jason Robinson, upland game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says the Sept. 22 – 24 youth chukar and gray partridge hunt is a great way to introduce young people to upland game hunting. “The hunt will be the first time the birds have been hunted this fall,” he says, “so they won’t be quite as wary as they’ll be later in the season. Also, the birds tend to stay closer together and rely more on water in early fall. Finding a good water source can get you into plenty of birds.”
A big plus for the young hunter is a chance to get complete attention from an older hunter. “Unless you’re younger than 18,” he says, “you can’t hunt during the youth hunt. That allows you to give your undivided attention to the youth hunter you take.”
Robinson encourages you to take a kid hunting Sept. 22, 23 or 24. "The hunt provides a great way to pass the tradition of upland game hunting on to the next generation,” he says.
Shooting on Sept. 22 starts at 6:15 a.m. To participate in the hunt:
- If you’ve completed a Hunter Education course, you had to be 17 years of age or younger on July 31, 2018. You must also have a current hunting license. If you’re under the age of 16, you must be accompanied by an adult. If you’re 16 or 17 years old, you can hunt without adult supervision.
- If you haven’t completed a Hunter Education course, you had to be between 12 and 17 years of age on July 31. You must also have a current hunting license and be accompanied by someone 21 years of age or older. In addition, you must complete a brief online Trial Hunting Program Orientation course before Sept. 22. The orientation course is among the items available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/trial.
Learn more
More information about the youth chukar and gray partridge hunts is available on page 13 of the 2018 – 2019 Utah Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook. The free guidebook is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks.
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Fishing reports - available at http://wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots .
