Fishing is already starting to heat up in northeastern Utah. A couple weeks of warm weather and some winds have let icy reservoirs start to melt away. According to the Division of Wildlife Resources, the warming water draws trout and other coldwater fish from deeper water where they spent the winter. These fish are hungry and looking for a decent meal. “Just as the ice starts to come off the water is one of my favorite times of the year to fish,” shares DWR fisheries coordinator Randy Oplinger. “Fishing can be great from both the shore and from a float tube. Ice off is also a great time to take your kids fishing. They can catch a bunch of fish.” Tips for fishing during ice off is to cast your bait or lure onto the ice and then retrieve it towards you until it falls into the water at the edge of the ice. Another tip is to use Power Bait or earthworms and to add Smelly Jelly or another type of scent to your lure to keep fish striking. Steinaker, Red Fleet, Brough, Bullock and Pelican Reservoirs have been known for excellent fishing during ice off in years past.
