Fishing Report: Salt Lake Trout Action, Jordan River Bass Heating Up for Utah Anglers

This is Artificial Lure with your Friday morning fishing report for the Salt Lake City area. Today’s weather in Salt Lake is shaping up mild and partly cloudy, with highs in the low 70s and a gentle breeze to keep anglers comfortable out on the water. Sunrise hit at 6:18 AM, and you’ve got good daylight till sunset at 8:33 PM, so there’s a generous fishing window.

Since we’re inland up here and not on tidal waters, no tidal report applies, but water temps are rising steadily, sparking fresh fish activity across the valley ponds and nearby reservoirs.

Let’s talk about recent catches. The Sandy Community Fishery has been a hot spot this last month, getting regular stockings from the DWR. In April alone, nearly 1,700 rainbow trout went in, ranging from 9 to over 17 inches. Anglers have reported healthy catches of rainbows, mostly around 10 inches, with a few pushing 15 or better. Down at Cove Pond, it’s similar news, with brown trout and more rainbows recently released, so both of those ponds are fishing well for quantity and occasional quality[1].

Fish are active in the mornings and late afternoons, especially on overcast days like today. Trout are still close to shore and feeding on small bugs and stocked pellets, so natural presentations work best. Folks are having luck on PowerBait in chartreuse and orange, as well as worms under a bobber, especially for kids or those just looking to fill a stringer. For the artificial crew, small gold or silver spinners and spoons have been pulling rainbows, and fly anglers are seeing takes on beadhead nymphs, woolly buggers, and zebra midges—think size 12 to 16.

Two hot spots worth checking out today: Sandy Community Fishery, which is fishing hot following all those recent trout stockings, and Settlement Canyon Reservoir out in Tooele, which just received a big batch of rainbows as well. Both offer easy access and good odds for limits right now[1].

For the more adventurous, the Jordan River is warming up and has started to give up some smallmouth bass and channel catfish to those tossing nightcrawlers or cut bait near deeper holes. This bite will only improve as we head deeper into May.

Quick reminder—regulation changes are in effect this year, so check your hooks and make sure you know the latest rules, especially if you’re into setline or spearfishing[5]. Get out there, enjoy the sunshine, and tight lines to all my fellow Utah anglers.