Southern Utah Fall Fishing Report
Jamie Flanagan
October 2, 2013
Yankee Meadow - Freshwater Fishing Report
We just got back from a wonderful weekend camping and fishing some great Southern Utah! waters.
Our group started the weekend at Yankee Meadows. First off, the Forestry service has already shut down the lake for winter. The campground is closed and the restrooms are boarded up. We set up camp first instead of immediately launching our canoes and kayaks since there were whitecaps on the water when we got there. But we didn't let that stop us from catching a nice limit of 12" to 14" trout from the shore. Included in the bag was a very spunky 13 1/2" Splake with absolutely
A-MAZING colors and as round as a football.
The cool winter wind howled all night long. Taking a break here and there, but only really dropping the temp to around 45... maybe 50 degrees. The early risers of the group were treated to a brief snow flurry before breakfast. Serena caught a really nice 15" inch Rainbow before we broke camp to find solace at a less windy locale.
Since the girls hadn't been to this part of Southern Utah! and I have never seen the color change, we decided to take the scenic route and enjoy taking photos of the superb views and the bright and colorful fall foliage that Brianhead, Dixie National Forest, and Cedar Breaks had to offer this time of year. Stopping for an always tasty lunch and saying Hi to owners Nikki and Nick at the Bear Paw Resort overlooking the shores of Panguitch Lake, we almost lost our nerve to get back out on the water. Just looking out the restaurant window at the impending storm blowing in and the 2' wind-blown whitecaps gave us the chills even though we had hot bowls of tortilla soup and hot sandwiches to keep us warm. It was cold and windy as we headed around the North Shore road to show Julianne the lake views when we decided... what the hell, we are here... we stopped at the North Shore Launch Ramp and peered over the edge to see a fisherman leaving with 2 trout. He said it was too cold for his old bones, but the fish just started biting again for the afternoon. We sat in the car for a couple, or 15 minutes, wondering if it would be a good idea, then headed down to the water expecting the worst. Glad we did. The wind stopped for a while and the sun peeked out of the clouds and I landed the first 17" trout... good no Cutthroat markings, a keeper.
Caught and released five more 16-20" Cutts before we landed two more keepers then it started to cool off a bit. I fished until it was just getting dark and I caught a nice FAT 19 inch Rainbow Trout (found out later she was FULL of eggs... in September?) and got my hands wet, then I was done too. Not bad for an hour and a half of fishing instead of leaving. That's the way Panguitch is.
We finished off the evening taking photos of fiery colored fall foliage, herds and herds of deer, some antelope, and sunsets in Mammoth Valley, Duck Creek, Aspen Mirror, and Navajo Lake. Decided to stay in St. George for the night and caught a few Largemouth Bass at Sand Hollow in the morning before heading back to Vegas and the routines of real life.
Yankee Meadow Fishing Forecast:
Fishing should only get better as the lakes try to turn. Unfortunately the weather wants to turn too. As long as the weather will last without an all out snow blow the fishing at Yankee Meadow should continue to be good. Try working the shallows on the North side from the boat ramp to the small dam with small lures and spinners. Panguitch ought to liven up too. Try the meadow on the north side of the lake between the boat rental and the curve in the road to the cabins. Powerbait and small spinners should do good. Try drifting or jigging big live nightcrawlers or white senko type baits (I know, but it works) from the Landslide Cliffs on the North shore Road to the North hshore Boat Ramp for Big Cutthroat and Tiger Trout
Target Species:
Cutthroat Trout, Tiger trout, Rainbow Trout
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