This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Michael Hadley, an aquatic biologist with the UDWR, sent in this report on Fish Lake.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conducted a gill net survey at Fish Lake on May 17, 2012. This annual survey is designed to monitor the lake's rainbow and splake trout populations but, at Fish Lake, we're always prepared to see something exciting. On this beautiful spring morning we caught a couple mid-sized lake trout (12 and 15 lbs) as well as two large tiger muskies measuring 40 and 44 inches. Tiger muskies are not stocked in Fish Lake, but a few make their way upstream from Johnson Reservoir. We were also pleased to find abundant rainbow and splake trout in great condition, measuring up to 18 inches. The largest splake that we caught weighed 6 lbs – a rare find in Fish Lake.
Anglers can expect a variety of quality fishing opportunities this summer at Fish Lake. Jigging for splake outside the weed line should be good to excellent until mid June. Jigging for perch and trolling for rainbows will provide steady fishing throughout the summer. During the last few years, some anglers have found success cruising the weeds and sight-casting to tiger muskies. Lake trout fishing is somewhat specialized and requires a lot of patience. Most lake trout anglers troll large plugs in deep water using down riggers. In addition, the Fish Lake area provides a number of other great fishing and wildlife watching opportunities.
DWR walk-in access biologist Heather Grossman (left) and office specialist Stephanie Rainey (right) with a 40-inch, 19-pound tiger musky caught and released during the annual Fish Lake gill net survey on May 17, 2012.
DWR office specialist Stephanie Rainey (left) and fish technician Tyson Barrow (right) show off a couple 12- to 15-pound lake trout caught and released during the annual Fish Lake gill net survey on May 17, 2012.
DWR fish biologist Mike Hadley holds a 44-inch, 22-pound tiger musky caught and released during the annual Fish Lake gill net survey on May 17, 2012.