Conditions Right Now
Your Loadout
Tackle + Bait Slots
Deep jigging setup: 30 lb braid + tube jigs. Winter loadout: auger, ice cleats, short jig rod, insulated bibs.
How To Fish It
Best rigs: Jig tube+sucker meat on deep humps for macks; perch rigs off the docks for kids
Bait and lures: Tubes, jigging spoons, mealworms for perch
Best time: Early morning for big fish; perch all day. Season: All year - legendary ice fishing
Local tip: Utah's deepest natural mountain lake, ringed by the Pando aspen clone (largest living organism on Earth). 30 lb mackinaw swim here.
Species Playbook
Lake Trout (Mackinaw)
Rig: Vertical jigging: 3-4 in white tube jig on heavy jighead, 40-90 ft
Bait: Tube jigs tipped with sucker meat, big spoons, downrigger trolling
When: First light; winter & spring for giants
Gorge 'pups' (under 25 in) are tasty and plentiful - jig the humps.
Splake
Rig: Ice jig tipped with sweetener; casting spoons open-water
Bait: Jigs + mealworm/minnow piece, Kastmasters
When: Winter (ice) and just after ice-off
Brook × lake trout hybrid. Joes Valley has a trophy slot - check regs.
Rainbow Trout
Rig: Slip-bobber or sliding sinker rig, 4 lb line, size 8-10 baitholder hook
Bait: PowerBait (rainbow/garlic), nightcrawler, small spinners (Panther Martin, Jake's)
When: Early morning & last 2 hours before dark
Utah's #1 fish. If a pond got stocked this week, cast anything shiny. Perfect first fish for kids.
Yellow Perch
Rig: Drop-shot two small jigs tipped with worm near bottom
Bait: Mealworms, perch meat (where legal), tiny tube jigs
When: Midday is fine - ice fishing staple
School fish. Through the ice, they save the day when trout sulk.
Tiger Muskie
Rig: Heavy rod, steel leader, big bucktails & glide baits, figure-8 at the boat
Bait: 10 in swimbaits, bucktails, big spoons
When: Dawn/dusk; overcast summer days
The 'fish of 10,000 casts.' Pineview is famous for 50-inchers. Handle with care & release.
Getting There + Nearby
Nearby adventures: Bowery Creek Campground (Fish Lake) (Camping, 1 mi) · Doctor Creek Campground (Fish Lake) (Camping, 2 mi) · Piute Reservoir (Fishing, 30 mi) · Otter Creek Reservoir (Fishing, 30 mi)
Quick Answers
- What fish are in Fish Lake?
- Lake Trout (Mackinaw), Splake, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch, Tiger Muskie.
- What is the best bait at Fish Lake?
- Tubes, jigging spoons, mealworms for perch
- When is the best time to fish Fish Lake?
- Early morning for big fish; perch all day. Season: All year - legendary ice fishing.