There are nearly 20 proven lakes for bass fishing in Utah where excellent fishing for largemouths and smallmouths may be enjoyed year-round.
Utah Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. It spans 24 miles in length, 13 miles in width and reaches depths of up to 12 feet. Despite its enormous size, this prime bass water is often overlooked by anglers. Because the lake is shallow the wind often stirs up sediment in the water and often gives the lake a murky appearance. Many largemouth bass anglers don't know that the lake contains plenty of ideal bass habitat. Good numbers of bass over 5 pounds can be caught by casting lure toward the edge of shoreline vegetation and retrieving the lure back to the boat.
Favorite Baitcasting Reel: Abu Garcia Revo MGX
Abu Garcia Revo MGX, 33.5%
Bass-chaser Jamie Chmielewski is convinced the Revos are the best out there. 'I have had several Abu Garcia Revo reels over the last few years, so I got one of these about a year ago and found out very quickly it was the best reel I had ever had my hands on. Easily the best casting reel for all weights of baits! '
Honorable Mention
Shimano Chronarch CI4+, 22.2%
Quantum Tour MG, 13.7%
Favorite Castable Umbrella Rig: Berkley Schooling Rig
Berkley Schooling Rig, 36.9%
Honorable Mention
Bass Pro Shops Deadly 5 Flashy Times, 33.8%
Road Runner Buffet, 13.8%
Favorite Fluorocarbon Line: Berkley Trilene 100 FluoroXL
Berkley Trilene 100 FluoroXL, 63.9%
Honorable Mention
Seaguar InvisX, 19.4%
Bass Pro Shops XPS Signature Series, 13.2%
Favorite Mono/Copolymer Line: Berkley Trilene XT XL
Berkley Trilene XT XL, 77.4%
G. Jacobs reported that he was using Trilene line and a Shimano rod and reel with a Strike King lure when he caught this largemouth.
Honorable Mention
Bass Pro Shops XPS Signature Series, 13.2%
Seaguar Senshi, 9.4%
Favorite Sunglasses: Berkley Zephyr
Berkley Zephyr, 41.3%
Honorable Mention
Costa CatCay, 28.7%
Wiley X WX Gravity, 22.7%
Favorite Soft Plastic Swimbait: YUM Money Minnow
YUM Money Minnow, 32.9%
Honorable Mention
Bass Pro Shops Sassy Sally, 14.2%
Savage Gear Real Trout, 13.2%
Favorite Rain Gear: Cabela's Guidewear Bass Angler
Cabela's Guidewear Bass Angler, 53.9%
Honorable Mention
Shimano Dryfender Insulated, 20.4%
Frabill F Series, 17.2%
Favorite Jig: Bass Pro Shops Enticer Pro Series Football
Bass Pro Shops Enticer Pro Series Football, 45.1%
Honorable Mention
Terminator Weedless Football, 32.2%
Jackall Spade Jig TG, 12.9%
Favorite Baitcasting Rod: G Loomis GL2
G Loomis GL2, 30.6%
'Best feeling rod I've ever held, ' wrote Dave Lapotka, also known as Fishboy1. 'It's light and just a tremendous rod. '
Honorable Mention
Abu Garcia Veracity, 27.9%
Cabela's Tournament ZX, 18.4%
According to Allison, who swears by the ZX, she caught a large smallmouth right before she caught this one, but no one was around to see it or take a photo of it!
Favorite Spinning Rod: G. Loomis GL2
First Place: G. Loomis GL2, 26.7%
Reader Gary N. Watkins says he reaches for his G. Loomis rods over all others. 'I like all G. Loomis rods. The craftsmanship is the best. ' Kevin Field voted for the GL2 because of its impressive weight-to-power ratio.
Honorable Mention
Abu Garcia Veritas, 23.7%
Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris CarbonLite, 20.3%
Favorite Wirebait: Bass Pro Shops Lazer Eye
Bass Pro Shops Lazer Eye, 37.1%
Honorable Mention
Strike King Tour Grade Night, 30.9%
Sebile ProShad, 17.2%
Favorite Fish Finder: Lowrance Elite-5 DSI
Lowrance Elite-5 DSI, 42.6%
Honorable Mention
Humminbird 598ci HD SI Combo, 39.4%
Garmin Echomap70s, 12.3%
Favorite Small Outboard: Mercury 9HP ProKicker
Mercury 9HP ProKicker, 59.6%
'One of the best kicker motors available, ' wrote Debbie Harbin. 'Price is right also. '
Honorable Mention
Yamaha F70A, 31.5%
Suzuki DF20A, 5.7%
Favorite Shallow Water Anchoring System: Minn Kota Talon 12
Minn Kota Talon 12, 60.2%
Honorable Mention
Power-Pole Micro Anchor, 39.8%
Favorite Small Bass Boat: Ranger Z118C
Ranger Z118C, 49.2%
Honorable Mention
Alumacraft Dominator 185 LE, 29.0%
G3 Eagle Talon 17 DLX, 12.3%
Favorite Large Bass Boat: Ranger Z521C
Ranger Z521C, 54.5%
Like most of the voters who commented on their choices, James Davis speaks from experience. 'As a Ranger owner, I think that this is the ultimate bass rig. '
Honorable Mention
Triton 21HP, 27.8%
BassCat_Puma, 14.5%
Favorite Hard Plastic Swimbait: Rapala BX Jointed Minnow
Rapala BX Jointed Minnow, 72.1%
Honorable Mention
Bass Pro Shops XPS Z9R, 14.2%
Savage Gear Glide Swimmer, 8.0%
Favorite Crankbait: Rapala Scatter Rap Crank
Rapala Scatter Rap Crank, 59.3%
Honorable Mention
Bass Pro Shops XPS Square Bill, 15.7%
Storm Arashi Series, 10.4%
Favorite Craw/Creature Bait: Savage Gear 3D
Savage Gear 3D, 30.1%
Honorable Mention
Havoc Papa Pit Boss, 19.8%
ZMan Turbo CrawZ, 19.5%
Favorite Spinning Reel: Shimano Stradic CI4+
First Place: Shimano Stradic CI4+, 27.6%
'Smooth, strong and never has a problem. Great drag, ' said Logan W. Seth Mahler also voted for the Stradic. 'Smooth retrieve good cast. '
Honorable Mention:
Quantum Energy, 22.2%
Pflueger Patriarch, 14.6%
Favorite Braided Line: SpiderWire Glow-Vis
SpiderWire Glow-Vis, 50.5%
Honorable Mention
PowerPro Zero Impact, 24.9%
Sufix 832 Advance Lead Core, 18.1%
Favorite Hook: Bass Pro Shops XPS Magna Superlock
Bass Pro Shops XPS Magna Superlock, 49.0%
Kyle Cortiana was one of many who likes the price and quality. 'I use these hooks on all of my Texas Rigged baits and you can get a pack of 25 for $8!! They are sharp, strong, and you won't cry if you have it off to keep from getting on top of the fish. '
Honorable Mention
Mustad Grip-Pin Swim, 25.7%
VMC Drop Dead Weighted Hook, 13.9%
Favorite Topwater: Bass Pro Shops XPS Slim Dog
Bass Pro Shops XPS Slim Dog, 30.1%
Honorable Mention
Booyah Poppin' Pad Crasher, 20.6%
Evolve Nervous Walker Ghost, 15.7%
Favorite Large Outboard: Yamaha V MAX SHO 150
Yamaha V MAX SHO 150, 39.0%
'Quiet, great hole shot, and fuel efficient, ' according to Louie M.
Honorable Mention
Evinrude 150 HO, 35.8%
Honda BF250, 23.5%
Favorite Artificial Worm: YUM Mighty Worm
YUM Mighty Worm, 35.5%
Honorable Mention
Havoc Federale, 13.3%
ZMan FattyZ, 7.9%
Favorite Soft Jerkbait: Zoom Super Fluke
Zoom Super Fluke, 67.2%
Honorable Mention
Bass Pro Shops Shadee Shad, 24.1%
Havoc The Jerk, 8.8%
Deer Creek Reservoir is on the lower Provo River at the top of Provo Canyon. The lake covers about 3,000 acres with plenty of unrestricted public access. Perch and other baitfish stick close to structure and weed growth and the bass are close behind them.
Use plugs, jigs, spoons and plastics to probe the edges of weed beds and rocky structure. Fish at night or early and late in the day to avoid soaring daytime temperatures.
This clear, deep canyon lake has very little brushy shoreline cover but plenty of points, drop-offs and rocky cover to satisfy the needs of its largemouth bass population.
Largemouths are caught most frequently in March and April. Smallmouth bass may be the most common bass species in Lake Powell. They can be caught in good numbers from April to October. The biggest fish are caught during the April spawning period.
