Southeastern Utah and Lake Powell fishing report for early summer

The Utah Division of Wildlife fishing website features a large variety of links and resources, including an in-depth, interactive map that will help you find a nearby place to fish. You can also rate waters based on your most recent fishing trips. Visit wildlife.utah.gov/fishing to get started.
Blanding Res. No. 4
Largemouth bass fishing has picked up for the summer. Target flooded vegetation in shallow water to find bass. The almost 5,000 rainbow trout stocked this spring will provide excellent fishing throughout the summer with popular baits, lures, and flies.
There are also plenty of large tiger trout in the reservoir that stay in deep water during the day. Fish early morning or late evening from shore for the best opportunity to catch them.
Dons / Hidden Lakes
Dons Lake and Hidden Lake are three-acre lakes located on the north end of the La Sal Mountains east of Moab. They were stocked with over 1,000 rainbow trout on May 12 that should provide good fishing throughout the summer with popular baits, lures, and flies. Expect rainbows to be 10-12 inches in length.
Foy Lake
Foy Lake is a five-acre lake located at an elevation of 8,370 feet in the Manti-La Sal Forest west of Monticello. The lake was stocked with 1,620 rainbow trout on April 22 that should provide good fishing throughout the summer with popular baits, lures, and flies. It’s also possible to catch brook trout at Foy Lake.
Kens Lake
The Kens Lake Recreation Site is located ten miles south of Moab. You’re likely to catch largemouth bass and rainbow trout in this lake, and it’s possible to catch bluegill, brown trout, channel catfish, and green sunfish.
Trout fishing slows down in the summer due to warm water but anglers can target catfish during this period. Fish with chicken liver, nightcrawlers, or other smelly baits for best success.
Loyds Lake
Lloyds Lake is a 100-acre reservoir located on the southwest side of Monticello. It was stocked with almost 4,000 rainbow trout in early April that should provide great fishing throughout the summer with popular baits, lures, and flies. In addition, it’s also possible to catch green sunfish in this lake.
Monticello Lake
Monticello Lake is a three-acre lake located at an elevation of 8,600 in the Manti-La Sal National Forest west of Monticello. It was stocked with over 1,000 rainbow trout on April 22 that should provide good fishing throughout the summer with popular baits, lures, and flies. It’s also possible to catch tiger trout in Monticello lake.
Oowah Lake
Oowah Lake and its campground sit at 8,800 feet of elevation in the spectacular La Sal Mountains. It was stocked with 1,657 rainbow trout on June 2 that should provide good fishing throughout the summer with popular baits, lures, and flies. A few wild brook trout can be caught in the deeper part of the reservoir.
Recapture Reservoir
Recapture Reservoir is a 265-acre impoundment north of Blanding just off Hwy 191. It has great shoreline access for bank fishermen and two asphalt boat ramps.
The reservoir is almost full this year with a lot of flooded vegetation. Due to colder water temperatures and murky water the bass and crappie spawn will occur later in the season. Fish around submerged trees and shrubs for largemouth bass and black crappie. Northern pike are ambush predators that will lay on the bottom on rocky flats or points waiting for prey to swim by.
Lake Powell
by Wayne Gustaveson
It’s that time again! Lake Powell fish are really excited as the water temperature has warmed into the 70s F. Here’s a rundown on what the fish are doing so anglers can enjoy the experience when they arrive.
Striped bass are really hungry in the southern lake. They have moved down lake toward Glen Canyon Dam and have found a bunch of anglers waiting for them. It’s easy to catch a lot of fish in a short time using anchovies for bait.
Stripers and bass are also in the backs of canyons in rocky shoreline habitat. Put a plastic grub on a jig head and cast toward the shore where rocks and sticks provide cover for bass to hide or to build spawning beds.
Another surprise may happen as you troll or cast as instructed to catch bass and stripers. The next fish you hook could be a walleye as they are very active and hungry in the perfect temperature found in the lake this week.
Look for crappie in the back of shallow coves with a lot of rocky habitat in 3-15 feet of water. Work the jig slowly around rocks and through brush to find crappie.
Sunfish will be hiding in shallow, brushy and/or rocky coves and are anxious right now to find a small fish (your jig head) to eat.
Fishing is great now as the water temperature, cover, and habitat is just right for early summer fishing. Come on down to Lake Powell and have a great time!