Last update: 11/06/2024

Current fishing conditions for Jordanelle Reservoir in Utah.

• As the water cools down mid-September through ice-on in early December fishing really picks. This time of year offers some of the best fishing on Jordanelle.
• Target water in the 25 to 35 foot depth range and you should see some good trout catch rates. Location is still important. Focus on steeper shorelines, dropoffs and points.
• Fly fishing from a boat between October and November using various fly patterns or streamers typically produces good catch rates of rainbow and cutthroat trout.
• Anglers report fishing corn, garlic, or cheese-scented trout dough baits just off the bottom under a casting bubble is effective for catching trout on the Jordanelle. This technique will work from boat or from shore.
• Active casting or trolling lures are other techniques that work well for targeting trout. A few of the recommended lures include Rapala Original, Blue Fox Classic Vibra Spinner, and Jakes Spin-A-Lure. Good reports from using Jakes.
• Soft plastics, tub jigs, stick baits, twister tail grubs, as well as a variety of rigs include the Texas rig, Carolina rig, Ned rig and Neko rig are great presentations for catching trout and bass.

General Tips for Fishing Jordanelle

Drift trolling crappie jigs, marabou jigs, tube jigs (white or chartreuse), or streamers is a great way to target browns, rainbows and cutthroat trout from boat, kayak or float tube.

Fishing garlic or corn-scented trout dough baits is one of the more consistent techniques for targeting trout from the shore. Shore fishing is typically more productive during the spring and early fall when trout forage in the shallows.

Casting toward the shore from a boat and then retrieving along or perpendicular to the shoreline can be very effective for targeting larger cutthroat trout. Preferred lures for this method include plastic minnow imitations and top water lures.

Target cutthroats trolling a 3 to 4 inch white or green tube jig tipped with half a nightcrawler just under the surface about 100 feet behind the boat at about 1.5 mph. Tipping the jig with a worm will often produce multiple strikes from the same fish.

When trolling give the jig a tug every minute or two and then let it out again slowly. This will entice fish to bite. When trolling, keep the rod in hand and get ready to set the hook when you feel a bite.

Jigging a tube jig vertically off the side of a boat can be effective for targeting trout, walleye and bass. The key here is to find the best location and depth to drop your rig. Finding the right spot to jig can be hit or miss, unless you bring a good fish finder.

For targeting walleye use minnows, woolly buggers, feather jigs, tube jigs (white, chartreuse, pearl), hair jigs, and two-tone curly tail grubs.

Jigging smaller curl tail jigs and two-toned tub jigs tipped with part of a worm is an effective method for catching yellow perch.

When fishing for Kokanee/Rainbows, go with a dodger/squid combo. Tip the squid with half a nightcrawler and you’ll get some bites.

Notice: Kokanee salmon cannot be harvested September 10 through November 30 during the kokanee spawning season.

If you’re looking for some good shore fishing, we recommend hitting the 15.5-mile Perimeter Trail near Ross Creek. The trail wraps around the reservoir and provides great access to some great secret bass fishing spots. And while you’re reeling in the bass, you’re likely to catch a brown trout or two.

Utah fishing reports: Strawberry Reservoir, Provo River, Green River, Weber River, Panguitch Lake, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Lake Powell Reservoir, Starvation Reservoir