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Show Fishermen Promised Generally Good Opening In South Utah on Lower Elevation Lakes, Streams Utah's general fishing season opens Saturday with the late spring, heavy snowpack and possible muddy roads facing fishermen in some of the higher elevation fishing spots. Despite the adverse problems in some areas, the fishing opener is predicted to be generally good in many areas, according to a report from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Fishing at Fish Lake could be restricted to shore fishing, as the ice was still covering most of the lake Wednesday. However, Roy Mallory, owner of Bowery Haven Resort said Wednesday that there was open water from 50 to 150 yards from the shore. However, others, Including Panguitch Lake, Navajo Lake, Boulder Mountain Lakes, are not expected to be ready because of dep snow still in the areas. Planting has been completed in many lakes and streams, but because of the inaccessibility to higher elevation streams and lakes, planting has not been completed yet. Wildlife Resources officials indicate these other areas will be planted as soon as personnel can get to them. Here is a complete area forecast of conditions for the southern Utah area as compiled by the Division of Wildlife Resources for the opuilng day and the first few days fafter the season begins. ASAY CREEK-A high runoff Is expected for the opener on this water, so It probably will not be stocked. BEAVER, BULLION AND CITY CHEEKS - All these small streams are still running high because of the late cold spring. These areas will be planted with catchable rainbow as soon as water conditions permit. The headwaters of these streams contain small cutthroat trout. Pressure on these streams will be light for the opening weekend, but will provide good fishing during the summer. BEAVER RIVER (LOWER) Fishing in the lower Beaver River has been open to year-round fishing. The river has been producing some very nice rainbow trout, up to 3 pounds this spring. The river is running high now, and fishing success has decreased. Catchable rainbow trout will be planted before opening weekend. Limited camping sites are available along the river, and camping and fishing supplies are available in Beaver and Minersville. BEAR MOUNTAIN LAKES Little Reservoir will probably be the only lake on Beaver Mountain that will be stocked for the opening weekend. Heavy snow pack and mud will probably prevent access to the other lakes for the May 31 opener. These lakes will be stocked when road conditions permit. BOULDER MOUNTAIN LAKES (NORTH) - Due to the late winter itorms and above normal snowpach, many of the lakes on the Thousand Lake and North Boulder Mountain will be Inaccessible to anglers not willing to walk a good ways through snow. Some winterkill is expected on the upper lakes, and fishermen viU probably do best on the irger bodies of water such a Lower Bowns Reservoir. The road around the east end of the Boulder Mountain Is not expected to be open by the May 31 fishing Opener Other lakes that should be productive for fish In the 14-to 1 6-lnch range are Pine Creek Lake, Coleman Reservoir, Donkey Lake and Fish Creek Lake. The latter two are probably walk-in only BOULDER MOUNTAIN LAKES (SOUTH) Due to the late spring and lingering snowdrifts, access into some of the higher altitude waters are not open at this time but should be open by the opening weekend if good weather continues. Posey Lake has several snowdrifts blocking the road a few miles below the lake, but with good weather, it should be open by May 31. The same conditions apply for the North Creek Lakes. Those fishermen planning to fish the higher lakes Despite his look of bewilderment, young Jason Henrle. J-ytar old son of Mr and Mrs. Carl llenrie, Pingullch, Is as ready as any fliher- i man as he practices baiting his book in an tlclpatlon of the opening of Utah's general fishing season on Saturday morning, should contact the Regional Office or the local conservation officer for the latest information. Wide Hollow Reservoir, West Garkane, Garkane Power Plant and Varney Griffin Impoundments will all be open and should be planted for the opening Weekend. ( Continued on Page 3 ) Fishermen Promised Generally 'Good' Opening (Continued from Paget) DUCK CREEK Duck Creek is still snowed in. It will not be stocked for the opening. Two to three feet of snow covers the small streams. It will be planted as soon as the snow melts to allow access. BOX CREEK RESERVOIR (UPPER AND LOWERl-Box Creek lakes should provide some good fishing with holdover brooks and rainbow trout and recent plants of catchable sired rainbow. Some snow and mud will still be around Upper Box Creek Reservoir for the ojwner. DUCK CREEK SPRING -Access is limited to small areas surrounding the lake. There is still plenty of snow around the shore. People wanting to fish Duck Creek Spring will probably be standing in the snow on May 31. This water will be stocked with catchable rainbow trout before the opener. Fishing should be good. FISH LAKE - Fishing should be good for rainbow and cutthroat 10 to 12 inches. A few large browns and some lake trout are usually caught on the opener. At present, the lake Is still solid ice which, hopefully, will be gone by May 31. FORSYTH RESERVOIR -Forshyh has been stocked with rainbow and cutthroat. Fishermen should take a creel nMiinnnfinnnnnnnnnni of 12-inch fish with some larger. The camping facilities are limited to the east shore with a few campsites and restmoms. FREMONT RIVER - This stream will be stocked with 10-to 12- inch rainbow for the opener. There should also be some bigger fish held over from previous years. Camping areas along the river are limited and usually filled up several days before the opening. The Forest Service has built several new restrooms above MiU Meadow. The fishing should be good to excellent. GOOSEBERRY LAKES -Access to these lakes will probably be blocked by snow. They will not be stocked for opening but should have a few carryover rainbow and a fair population of browns. JOHNSON RESERVOIR -Fishing pressure should be light. Fishing will be poor due to large quantities of trash fish. KINGSTON CANYON-EASTFORK SEVIER RIVER This section of the Sevier was open this spring for the first time and has been producing some good fish. Catchable rainbow trout have been planted. Pressure will be light. The rainbow have been put in areas of public access, so watch out for the few "No Trespassing" signs in places along the river. KOOSHAREM RESERVOIR Fishing should be good. Parking and camping will be limited but will be a good choice if you have a boat. This reservoir will be planted with fingerling rainbow trout. LONG VALLEY CREEK -Long Valley Creek will be planted with catchable rainbow before the opener. The water is running clear, and access to the area is good. Fishing pressure should be light. LOST LAKE (SCOUT LAKE) This lake will not be stocked for opener. There is no access. CLEAR CREEK CANYON (CLEAR CREEK, FISH CREEK, SHINGLE CREEK) -All of these creeks will be planted with catchable rainbow prior to the opener. MAMMOTH CREEK - High runoffls expected on the opening at this water. Catchable rainbow will be stocked below the Mammoth Spring through the cabin area. The "Wild Trout;" area downstream and the lower Mammoth will not be stocked. Much of the Mammoth Creek is private property and respect for this property is cautioned. MANNING MEADOW- The reservoir was planted last year with small cutthroat trout, plus it should have some large holdover stock from previous year. It should be a good place to fish opening weekend. MILLARD COUNTY STREAMS - Maple Grove will probably be the only creek stocked in Millard County due to expected high water conditions. All other creeks will be stocked where conditions permit. MILL MEADOW RESERVOIR The reservoir is presently stocked with rainbow, cutthroat and some brook trout. The opener should produce 12-inch and bigger rainbow with a fair number of brookles and cutthoratm making up the creel. There is some camping on the east shore. Fishing should be excellent. MINERSVILLE RESERVOIR A very good fishing opening is expected this season. A large crowd is expected 6,000 within the state park on opening weekend. A good boat ramp and limited camping facilities are available at the state park. However, several access roads and camping sites are available on public lands around the lake. The lake contains only rainbow trout and size and weight are expected to range about 12 to 13 inches and a little over 1 pound. However, some large fish should be present for the lucky angler. MONROE CREEK Monroe Creek will be planted with catchables for the opener. NAVAJO LAKE Navajo is still snowed in. There is two or three feet of snow on the ice, as well as on the surrounding area. It looks as though fish will have to be planted sometime after the May 31 opener when the lake is free of ice. Catchable rainbow trout will be stocked. Providing there is no winter loss, some holdover rainbow and brook trout will provide the angler with some fishing action in addition to the stocked rainbow catchables. Campground facilities are available on the south side of the lake. OTTER CREEK - This small section of river contains some nice fish with large browns, brooks and rainbows available. Pressure is expected to be light with people going to Koosharem Reservoir or Otter Creek Reservoir. OTTER CREEK RESERVOIR Otter Creek Reservoir should provide very good fishing for the opening weekend. The fish should be averaging at least of a pound, plus a good number of 2 pound and larger fish are available. There is a lot of camping room along the west side of the reservoir, but improved camping facilities are limited and found at the south end by the dam. A good boat launching ramp is located on the dam. Heavy pressure is exoected. PANGUITCH CREEK -Rainbow catchables will be stocked for the opening. Browns are also In the creek. Fishing is expected to be good. A small Forest Service campground will be open Heavy pressure is expected. PANGUITCH LAKE - As of mid-May, the lake was still froren over. The fish range in sue from 2 3 pound to 2 pounds Fishing is expected to be very good. A large crowd is expected. Facilities may be limited The campground wiU probably be closed due to construction. Private camping and lodging is available at the resorts Boats, gas and groceries are available. The only road open to the lake will be from Panguitch. The trout are rainbow with some albino rainbow and small cutthroat. PAROWAN CREEK - The status of this stream is yet unknown. It appears that the water condition will be turbid and roily for the opener; and, if so, fish will not be stocked for opening day. PINE LAKE - Rainbow catchables are to be stocked for the opener. Holdover rainbow and brook trout are also in the lake. Some 3- to 4-pound fish are usually taken. Forest Service campgrounds will be open A moderate crowd is expected. PINE VALLEY RESER VOIR Despite its small size. Pine Valley Reservoir has traditionally been a popular fishing spot for the general season opener. Good fishing, scenic surroundings and excellent facilities provided by the V S Forest Service usually attract large crowds of people when fishing season opens. The reservoir is small but has been stocked with about 2,000 catchable rainbow for the opener. Also, there is a native population of brook trout in the lake; and they range in size from 5 to 8 inches. REX RESERVOIR - This reservoir will be accessible and have fair fishing. Unimproved campgrounds are available. SANTA CLARA RIVER -Most of the Santa Clara River has been open all season. However, the river that flows in Pine Valley and on down into the small town of Central is closed until May 31. The Santa Clara will be stocked with rainbow catchables and also has a wild population of Ger man brown trout. There should not be any problem with high water as most of the snowpack on the Pine Valley has melted slowly leaving the stream clear SEVIER RIVER - Th Sevier River is open to year round fishing. This spring there were some nice browns taken. Catchable rainbow trou have been planted. Pressure l! expected to be light with mos people going to areas jus opening. SEVIER RIVER (SOUT1 FORK) Due to high runofl this stream probably will not b stocked. SKUTUMPAH RESERVOIP It has been stocked witl catchables and expected t have good fishing. It shouli have a fair carryover from las I year. No improved can 1 pgrounds are available Rainbow are the only specie 1 stocked. This reservoir i located 12 miles north of 1-70 1 Salina Canyon THOUSAND LAKE MOUNTAIN - Most of the higher lakes will be inaccessible due to snow drifts and mud. The Division of Wildlife Resources has recently published a booklet on the Thousand Lake and Boulder Mountain which can be picked up at Division offices throughout the state. TROPIC RESERVOIR -Tropic Reservoir will not be planted for the May 31 opener. In the fall of 1974, approximately 10,000 fingerling rainbow were planted for this season. Fishing for rainbow should be excellent as should cutthroat. Access is no problem. There is a graveled road leading to Tropic Reservoir and Kings Creek Campground adjacent to the reservoir. Facilities at the campground are maintained by the Forest Service. This would be an excellent spot for the angler and his family to camp and fish for tbe opening YANKEE MEADOW RESERVOIR - Fishermen can expect to find the road clear of snow and the water waiting on opening day. Parking space around this fishing water is plentifu; however, campers will find no piped water and camping facilities, for the most part, are nonexistent. Fishermen can expect to put both Eastern brook trout and rainbow in the creel. Litter has been a terrific problem around this reservoir In the past The public is asked to be considerate of the natural beauty of this area and please clean up after themselves, |