The Bonneville cutthroat has been re-introduced into the Provo River.
The DWR recently stocked 3,000 of the 8-inch fish into the river between Olmstead Dam and Deer Creek Reservoir.The Bonneville cutthroat originated in Lake Bonneville and were found in the Provo River when pioneers first entered Utah. The fish diminished because of dams, diversions and poor water quality.
There are reports of these fish reaching more than 20 pounds.
The DWR has wanted to re-introduce the fish into the river, but have been unable to acquire the fish. Last spring, a surplus of Bonneville eggs were collected, which made the fish available for stocking.
The problem is cutthroat trout are more easily caught than brown trout, so anglers will need to release them as quickly and carefully as possible.
Regulations require that all cutthroat and rainbow between the reservoir and the dam be released. Plans are to stock another 10,000 fish in 1994.
A reservoir showing great promise this winter is Scofield. It was one of the first to receive an ice cap, and reports are that fishing has been good.
Scofield was treated in 1991 to remove carp and walleye, which had overrun the trout population by nearly 100 to 1.
During the fall netting operation, DWR biologists found fish in three groups: 9-inch fish, 11-inch fish and small fingerlings. About 10 percent of the fish netted ranged from 15 to 20 inches and weighed between 2 and 4 pounds.
Kevin Christopherson, DWR fisheries manager in the region, said he expects the larger fish to grow another inch this winter and another one and a half inches over the summer.
He admits, however, that water quality remains a problem.
NORTHERN REGION
BEAR LAKE - Very good fishing in 40 to 70 feet of water on the rock pile, jigging with spoons for cutthroats. Can launch from east side of lake, also launching from beach near Gus Rich Point. Also try Cisco Beach. Catching whitefish off east side with mepps spinners.
EAST CANYON RESERVOIR - Very good trolling for 12- to 14-inch rainbows. Try pop gear and worms 25 - 40 feet deep. Shore fishing has been good, but winter ice is coming! Ice starting to form in bays.
ECHO RESERVOIR - Fishing has slowed down. Recently planted with catchable rainbow trout.
LOCOMOTIVE SPRINGS - Winter stocking begins just before New Years and will be stocked approximately every two weeks through Easter.
LOGAN RIVER - River is low and clear. Cutthroat trout limit is one. Check proclamation. Flies and lures only from Card Canyon Bridge to Red Banks Bridge. River above Red Banks Bridge closes beginning January 1st, check new proclamation.
LOST CREEK RESERVOIR - Good fishing for small rainbows and cutthroats, especially from boats. Bank fishermen having success near the dam. Starting to freeze. Good road access but roads are icy.
OGDEN RIVER - Fair fishing for rainbows. Look for deeper holes when fishing for browns.
PINEVIEW RESERVOIR - Very little fishing pressure. Recent netting showed some 10-inch perch and good crappies.
PORCUPINE RESERVOIR - Fair fishing for rainbows near inlet. No ice yet, could be some by Christmas.
ROCKPORT RESERVOIR - Slow fishing for rainbows. Dam area and river inlet best spots.
WEBER RIVER - Fair fishing for brown and rainbow trout. A lot of private property along the river; make sure you get permission. River is low and clear. Browns spawning. Some whitefish.
WILLARD BAY - Fishing activity has slowed down. Water level is good. Worth a try for crappie, walleye or channel catfish. Recent gill net surveys show lots of nice walleye and catfish.
CENTRAL REGION
STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR - The Strawberry side of the reservoir is mostly iced over but still has questionable ice safety. It is recommended not to ice fish at this time. Approximately 25 percent of the Soldier Creek side of the reservoir is frozen - mostly in the bays and along the shoreline. There was still some open water near the Soldier Creek dam and the marina. The roads are snow packed with some snow drifts and require four-wheel drive to pass.
UTAH LAKE - The lake is about 60 percent ice covered but fishing is not recommended at this time.
SOUTHERN REGION
FISH LAKE - Access is good. Widgeon Bay is frozen over but still unsafe for fishing at this time. Fair fishing for rainbows and splake in the cheese hole using worms or cheese or powerbait. Lake trout fishing is slow at this time.
PANGUITCH LAKE - Access is good. Cedar Breaks road is closed for the winter. Ice is beginning to form but is not ready for fishing yet. East shore is still clear enough to fish. Success has been good for 1 to 3 pound rainbow.
GUNLOCK RESERVOIR - Access is good. Very little pressure. No one checked in more than a month.
OTTER CREEK - Access good. Frozen over. Unsafe to fish.
PIUTE RESERVOIR - Access good. Partially frozen. Unsafe to fish.
NORTHEASTERN REGION
FLAMING GORGE RESERVOIR - Reports of good fishing from shore for 13 to 18 inch rainbows in Sheep Creek and Dutch John areas. Lake trout fishing fair to good for smaller fish, a few large lake trout also being taken. Boat ramps open but area has received snowfall, call U.S. Forest Service for daily update on ramps.
GREEN RIVER (upper) - Good to excellent but spotty fishing. Roads to Little Hole and Browns Park may have snow, ice and mud depending on weather.
STARVATION - Mostly clear but some ice forming in bays.
STEINAKER RESERVOIR - Reservoir mostly clear of ice. Reports of fair to good fishing from shore along highway and dam. Some larger fish being taken.
SOUTHEASTERN REGION
JOE'S VALLEY - Fishing success has been sporadic.
LAKE POWELL - Good striper fishing has been reported from Good Hope Bay to Hite. Stripers are feeding in 40 - 60 feet of water and holding at 80 - 90 feet. Best luck has been had at the mouths of canyons by jigging silver spoons, white jigs or anchovies. Stripers have been caught at Bullfrog Bay with anchovies at 40 feet. On the lower lake, fish are feeding at 40 - 60 feet and holding at 70 - 100 feet. They are found midway back in canyons, but are not as aggressive as upper lake stripers. The Lake Powell fishing hotline has been discontinued for the winter.
SCOFIELD RESERVOIR - The reservoir has iced over. Ice is 5 to 10 inches thick. Fishing is fair to good, depending on the day. Green Power Bait and cheese have been the best baits. Fish are on or near the bottom. A lot of trout are in the 12-inch class, although anglers continue to creel hefty 2 to 4 pound rainbows.