As warmer temperatures begin to rise, many anglers are planning their next spring or summer fishing trips. If you’re looking to target largemouth or smallmouth bass, Utah has three fantastic locations that offer great fishing, as well as an opportunity to help the local population by harvesting some of these tasty fish.
State Parks and Reservoirs
Gunlock and Sand Hollow reservoirs, both located in Washington County, are state parks that offer exceptional largemouth bass fishing. Lake Powell, situated primarily in Garfield, Kane, and San Juan counties in southern Utah, with a small portion in Coconino County in northern Arizona, is a popular destination for both largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing. The lake lies within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, providing anglers with a unique and challenging fishing experience.
Why Harvest Bass in Utah?
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Southern Region Warmwater Biologist Jonathan Hudson emphasizes the importance of harvesting bass in Utah. He states, “We would like to see an increased harvest of bass at Sand Hollow, Gunlock, and Lake Powell. Increasing harvest at Sand Hollow will help improve the size, age structure, and condition of the bass there. Recent fishery surveys have shown evidence of a stunted largemouth population, with few larger than 20 inches, and anglers have voiced support for trying to improve fish growth and condition at these waterbodies.”
Time of Year
Largemouth bass can be caught throughout most of the year, but fishing success improves when the water temperatures warm up. They start to move into shallower habitats to spawn as the water warms in the spring. In the northern part of the state, bass spawning typically occurs in late May or early June. In the southern part of the state, spawning typically takes place in mid-April. Smallmouth bass, on the other hand, are considered a coolwater fish species, preferring slightly cooler temperatures than largemouth bass, and they are more difficult to catch through the ice.
Equipment
To target largemouth or smallmouth bass in Utah, you’ll need the right equipment. Both species will aggressively respond to plastic lures, which are typically inexpensive. If the water is clear, focus on using more natural-colored lures, like browns and blacks, with colorful flecks that will get the fish’s attention. If the water is more turbid, then brightly colored lures can be a good option. There are many other lures you can use successfully, including crank baits, buzz baits, and spinner baits, depending on the time of year.
| Lure Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Plastic Lures | A popular choice for catching bass, plastic lures come in a variety of colors and patterns. |
| Crank Baits | Used for catching bass in deeper water, crank baits are designed to imitate injured baitfish. |
| Buzz Baits | Used for catching bass in shallow water, buzz baits are designed to imitate a injured baitfish with a loud noise. |
| Spinner Baits | Used for catching bass in a variety of water conditions, spinner baits are designed to imitate a injured baitfish with a spinning motion. |
Techniques
The most successful fishing techniques will depend on the time of year and the type of bass you’re targeting. Largemouth bass typically prefer vegetative cover, while smallmouth bass like rocky habitat. Hudson suggests using a variety of techniques, such as imitating small crayfish in rocky habitat to target smallmouth bass, or using bigger, moving baits near brushy areas to draw more largemouth.
When fishing for bass in early spring, you can typically find them in 20-30 feet of water. Once the water temperature warms to the mid-50s, bass can be found in 10-15 feet of water near spawning areas. As the water temperature hits the 60s, bass will be in shallow water, actively fanning and guarding their nests during spawning season.
| Water Temperature | Depth of Bass |
|---|---|
| Mid-50s | 10-15 feet of water near spawning areas |
| 60s | Shallow water, actively fanning and guarding nests during spawning season |
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick emphasizes the importance of anglers taking an active role in conserving Utah’s bass populations. She states, “Bass are a really popular sportfish around the country and even around the world, and it’s no different here in Utah. They’re also typically a low-maintenance fish for us, as we only need to stock bass for a few years before they take off on their own and start naturally reproducing. However, the greater issue for us is getting enough harvest. Anglers who keep the bass they catch are actually helping the overall population. Without harvest, there will be an abundance of smaller fish competing against each other for a limited supply of food.”
While Gunlock and Sand Hollow reservoirs and Lake Powell offer great bass fishing opportunities, you can also find other waterbodies that offer bass fishing by visiting the Fish Utah map on the DWR website. As an angler, you have the power to make a positive impact on Utah’s bass populations by harvesting some of these delicious fish. So, grab your rod and reel, and head out to Utah’s lakes and reservoirs to experience the thrill of catching a bass.
