Let’s be honest, the cold winter season can be a long, rough time of the year. I know, I am still recovering from having to winterize the bass boat. During the long winter months anglers can be found re-organizing tackle, dreaming about landing that next big fish, and preparing for the new fishing season. I know,I know. There is still ice fishing right? True, but sometimes it takes the ice a bit to form and sometimes you just need to fish some open water. But don’t fret, these Utah winter fishing spots just may be the cure for your cabin fever and winter bass fishing blues.
Here are our top Utah bass fishing spots to fish in the winter:
Blue Lake
Blue Lake is located about 15 miles south of Wendover and can be an awesome bass fishing winter haven. This warm, hot spring fed lake reaches winter temperatures around 70 degrees which makes it an ideal spot for bass and other warm water species.
Species
- Largemouth Bass
- Bluegill
- Sunfish
- Tilapia
The lakes forage combined with warmer temperatures makes it a great spot for largemouth bass in the winter. This lake supports warm water fish which consist of mostly bass, tilapia, sunfish and bluegill. Imitating these other fish can be a great way to catch largemouth, sunfish, and bluegill.
About the Lake
Blue Lake is a part of a 215-acre management area that consist of several deep, crystal clear hot spring fed lakes/ponds. It’s one of the larger lakes in this area with it’s depth reaching around 58 feet deep and 9 acres in size. Although the edges of the entire lake are surrounded by cattails and tall grass, there are nice docks as well as a wooden path around most of the lake which makes it fairly easy to attack bass from the bank.
Scuba-Divers also take advantage of the warmer temperatures and can be found diving anytime between November through May. These divers have placed a lot of random objects throughout the lake adding more interest to their diving expeditions which would make for some great structure, but most of these will be too deep and may be occupied by divers.
Fishing Structure
- Grass
- Docks
- Tullies
Baits and Techniques
The warm water temperatures really opens up most bass fishing techniques. On most days you can start fast by fishing a swimbait or swim jig, and if they aren’t chasing, you can slow down and throw a weedless senko. Fishing a drop shot also can work really well. This is a super clear lake so long casts and natural baits will outperform anything else on a normal day.
We have found these baits work really well
- Senko
- Swimbait
- Swim Jig
Sand Hallow Reservoir
Sand Hollow Reservoir is no doubt one of every angler’s favorite spots to target largemouth bass in Utah. The wintertime is no different. Nice largemouth can be caught all winter long which makes it an ideal winter destination for all anglers. It’s a small clear reservoir with awesome views, and most importantly, it’s stacked with largemouth bass.
Species
- Largemouth Bass
- Bluegill
- Crappie
- Catfish
Bass Forage
- Blue gill
- Crappie
- Crayfish
- Baby Bass
About the Lake
Sand Hollow Reservoir is one of Utah’s most popular state parks. It’s located about 15 minutes from St. George and is known for its blue waters and red sandstone landscape. The popularity of the lake can sometimes be a downer. However, when fishing here in the winter you may just find you have the whole lake to yourself. If you can time it right and catch a warmer day, you may just find a bunch of active fish.
Fishing structure
Whether you’re fishing from a boat or on the bank, this reservoir has a lot of great structure to choose from. If your fishing from the bank, I would try casting around the sandstone islands and fishing talong the damn. The key to having success at Sand Hollow is finding the grass and luckily there is a lot of it. In the winter months bass can be found active in the 20 to 30-foot level and will be holding to and around grassy beds.
Fishing structure
- Grass
- Large Rocks
- Rip-rap
- Bushes
Baits and Techniques
Once you can find the grass. You will find the bass. But having the right presentation and technique is key to having a successful day out on the water. Whatever bait and technique you use its important that you imitate what the bass are feeding on. The best strategy is to fish with bluegill, crappie, or crawdad colored baits. You can’t go wrong with a jig. The Strike King Bitsy jig is one of our favorites. The 3/8 to ¾ ounce works the best.
Effective Winter Techniques
- Jigs
- Spinner baits
- Drop Shot
- Ned Rig
- Shaky Head
Largemouth are more lethargic in the winter and they don’t want to expend the energy chasing after their meals. In order to land some nice bass, you basically have to spoon feed them. That’s why fishing the rights baits and fishing slow is key. Slowing down in the winter will help you pull in a ton more fish. A quarter ounce bitsy jig paired with a beaver trailer is tough to beat in the winter time. Paddle tails also work great as a jig trailer.
- Smelly Jelly
- Quarter ounce Bitsy Jig with a Beaver
- Paddle Tails with jig
- Stretch 40 Garry Yamamota (176 rootbeer with black flakes)
Saratoga Springs Marina
The Saratoga Springs Marina is another nice hot spring spot to land some winter bass. However, the downside to this fishing here is that you may need to live in Saratoga Springs and be a part of the HOA that runs the marina, or know someone that does to be able to get access it.
Species
- Largemouth Bass
- White Bass
- Walleye
- Black Crappie
- Bluegill
- Channel Catfish
- Carp
- June Sucker
About the Lake
Saratoga Springs Marina is located on the north west side of Utah Lake. This marina is another hot spring fed spot that doesn’t freeze over in the winter. The warmer temperatures are a huge draw for all Utah Lake fish. There are three floating docks, some rocky banks, and some tullies near the bank as well as some other structure you can fish. Utah Lake is a naturally dirty lake and this marina is no exception. Making the right baits and techniques is key if you hope to land some fish.
Fishing Structure
- Docks
- Tullies
- Rocks
- Other Structure
Baits and Techniques
At times fish can be inactive in colder, muddy water, so it’s important you choose the right bait. Make sure to stick to big baits and dark colors. You can try slow rolling some finesse baits on the bottom such as jigs, worms etc. The best baits have big, flashy profiles that can move some water. The bass are probably not actively feeding, so it’s important to fish with something that will garner attention with flash and or vibration.
Baits that work well:
- Spinner baits
- Crankbaits
- Bladed swim jigs
- Jigs
- Texas Rig
Horseshoe Springs
This natural spring shaped like a horseshoe is located about an hour and a half from Salt Lake City in the heart of skull valley. There are two large warm springs that keep the water at about 70 degrees all year round. Although you may not catch your PB bass here (personal best bass), it’s a fun little spot that is worth giving a shot if you are in the area.
Species
- Largemouth Bass
- Bluegill
- Carp
About the Lake
The water in this lake can be very clear (which can make it a challenge to catch fish), but it also can be pretty brackish. There was a nice boardwalk that surrounded most of the spring, but an unfortunate wildfire in 2018 burned most of it.
Fishing structure
The actual horseshoe spring isn’t too big, but it does have a lot of great spots for bass to hide. Surrounding the springs are a bunch of grass/tullies with the edges covered in mostly moss.
Baits and Techniques
There are a variety of baits and techniques that work well at horseshoe springs. The fish can be pretty skittish, so it’s important to make long cast and do you best not to scare them. I have found that finesse techniques work really well, such as the drop shot, Shaky Head, and Texas Rig.
Tight Lines
These fishing spots are an excellent way to spend some time in the outdoors and catch some bass this winter. Go out and give these a spots a try. See you out on the water. Tight lines!
