Splake will be shallower this time of year

Joes Valley Reservoir - Orangeville, Utah (Emery County)


by Utah Division of Wildlife
11-25-2024
Website

Fishing forecast (December through March): Anglers should use extreme caution and be aware of best practices for ice safety. 

Splake: Splake will be shallower this time of year. Try using dead Utah chub as bait to catch fish during this timeframe. Cut off a 1-by-1-inch piece of chub meat and thread it on a 1/8-ounce or 1/4-ounce jig head. Cast the bait out and let it sit on the bottom. Casting tube jigs and swimbaits tipped with chub meat will also work from shore. Keep your jig close to the bottom as you retrieve/reel, because most fish will hug the bottom. Other good lures to try will be silver/white or black/white spoons. 

Rainbow trout: Use standard trout fishing tactics through the ice like worm and marshmallow/salmon egg, PowerBait and ice flies. 

Tiger muskie: Ice fishing for tiger muskie can be very difficult. Anglers occasionally catch one while targeting trout. 

Cutthroat trout: Cutthroat trout in the reservoir are self-sustaining and use the tributaries to spawn. Target cutthroat with similar tactics as splake. Use tube jigs tipped with chub.





More Reports

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Reports
for Monday, November 25th
Academy Mill Reservoir: This high-elevation waterbody can be difficult to access for ice fishing
Boulger Reservoir: This high-elevation waterbody is a great location for ice fishing for some trout
Dons Lake: Dons Lake Fishing Forecast
Electric Lake: Safe ice usually forms by late December
Ferron Reservoir: Ferron Reservoir Fishing Forecast

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Reports
for Thursday, November 21st
Gunlock Reservoir: Some nice bass can still be caught during the winter
Quail Creek Reservoir: Quail Creek Reservoir Winter Forecast
Sand Hollow Reservoir: Sand Hollow Reservoir Winter Forecast
Wide Hollow Reservoir: During cold winters, Wide Hollow Reservoir can cap with safe ice and provide good ice fishing for rainbow trout