Fishing Report - Emily Wright

 

Winter (January-March) fishing forecast. What anglers can expect at Bear Lake this winter will depend on whether the lake freezes over or not.  The lake typically freezes over near the end of January.  Bear Lake has a lot of springs and vents, so pay close attention to ice thickness.  If Bear Lake does not freeze over, fishing from boats will continue through the winter.  The Bear Lake State Park marina on the west side of the lake is open for launching.  On the east side of the lake, launching is currently available at the First point and Rainbow Cove ramps.  All courtesy docks have been pulled from the ramps due to ice buildup.  The Cisco Beach ramp is open, but 4WD is recommended to launch there.

 

Cutthroat trout: Whether you’re fishing through the ice or in open water, you can expect excellent fishing for cutthroat trout.  Jigging with 1/2- to 3/4-ounce tube jigs, tipped with cisco or sucker meat, is the most popular way to catch cutthroats at Bear Lake in the winter.  Cutthroat can be found in anywhere from 30 to 100+ feet of water, but most anglers target 50 to 80 feet.  If the lake is open water, you can try trolling minnow-type lures or flatfish, with downriggers, close to the bottom.  Good locations for winter cutthroat fishing are off the rockpile in front of the Ideal Beach Resort, Second Point and Cisco Beach.  The four artificial rockpiles just north of the Utah State Park marina are also a good spot to try.

 

Bonneville whitefish:  Bonneville whitefish fishing is typically good from the end of January through the end of February.  When fishing for whitefish, use a small 1/8- to 3/8-ounce vertical jigging spoon (such as a Kastmaster or a Swedish Pimple), and tip it with a piece of worm or mealworm.  Focus on areas with rocky bottoms or near weed beds on the bottom (south of Gus Rich Point, between First and Second points, is a good spot to try).

 

Bonneville cisco:  Dipnetting for spawning Bonneville cisco at the end of January is weather dependent. If the lake is frozen, you can dipnet through the ice.  If the lake is open water, you can wear waders and try dipnetting from shore at Cisco Beach.  However, since they can see you, the cisco are very wary during open water years, and activity is extremely limited if there is any wave-action.  Try to keep a low profile and stay close to shore.  Jigging (snagging) for Bonneville cisco is also popular if the lake is not frozen.  Jigging action should begin in mid-January and run through the first part of February.  Use a larger jigging spoon (3/8- to 1-ounce) and jig it aggressively, right on the rocky bottom, in 40 to 60 feet of water or off weed beds in 20 to 35 feet of water.