DWR sport fisheries coordinator pinpoints the best waters


If you wake up early, or stay out late, some fantastic fishing is waiting for you over the July 4 holiday weekend.Rainbow trout and kokanee salmon are among the fish you can catch at Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

Drew Cushing, warm water sport fisheries coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says rising temperatures are pushing fish to deep water during the warmest parts of the day. But fish are still shallow -- and active -- as the sun comes up in the morning and goes down at night.

And, if you like to fish rivers and streams, the best fishing of the entire year is about to begin.

"Cutthroat trout have finished spawning in the rivers and streams," Cushing says. "They're hungry and ready to eat. Plus, runoff is over, so the rivers and streams are lower and much more fishable now. Also, the water is clear, so trout should be able to clearly see your bait, lure or fly."

Before heading out for the weekend, check out the latest fishing reports at wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots, www.bigfishtackle.com and www.utahwildlife.net.