Conditions Right Now
Your Loadout
Tackle + Bait Slots
Walleye kit: bottom-bouncer + crawler harness at dusk.
How To Fish It
Best rigs: Jig + 4" plastic or crawler dragged on points; jerkbaits after dark
Bait and lures: Crawlers, grubs, jerkbaits
Best time: Dusk into dark. Season: May-October
Local tip: Arguably Utah's best walleye water - the state record swam here. Knight Hollow & Rabbit Gulch points in June.
Species Playbook
Walleye
Rig: Bottom-bouncer + worm harness; jig + minnow/plastic
Bait: Nightcrawler harnesses, curly-tail grubs, jerkbaits at night
When: Low light - dawn, dusk, after dark; spring spawn run
Fish slow along rocky points and dike edges. Best eating in Utah.
Smallmouth Bass
Rig: Ned rig, drop shot, tube jig on rocky structure
Bait: 3 in green-pumpkin plastics, crawfish crankbaits, topwater early
When: Morning & evening in summer; all day spring/fall
Count to the bottom, drag it slow over rocks. Fights way above its weight class.
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.
Getting There + Nearby
Nearby adventures: Fred Hayes SP at Starvation (State Park, 1 mi) · Duchesne River (Fishing, 24 mi) · Strawberry River (Fishing, 25 mi) · Moon Lake Campground (Camping, 26 mi)
Quick Answers
- What fish are in Starvation Reservoir?
- Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch.
- What is the best bait at Starvation Reservoir?
- Crawlers, grubs, jerkbaits
- When is the best time to fish Starvation Reservoir?
- Dusk into dark. Season: May-October.