Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of December 4, 2022, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6490.26 feet, which amounts to 66 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of November totaled approximately 33,250 acre-feet (af) or 80 percent of average.

Winter release has been set at 950 cfs to meet spring elevation targets and are forecasted to remain at this level through winter, subject to hydrology. The winter release is planned to be maintained until March or April when the ice along the Green River begins to melt.

The December final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects below average conditions. December, January, and February Most Probable inflow volumes amount to 27,000 af (84 percent of average), 25,000 af (83 percent of average), and 24,000 af (86 percent of average) respectively.”

What this means:

Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 973 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is currently at 98 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is currently at 141 percent of normal.

As with the Green below Flaming Gorge you will see some midge activity during the day. If you are nymphing plan on having a variety of scuds, midges, and blood midges. Although not as productive as the streamer bite is on the Utah Green in the Winter, you can still have some fantastic streamer fishing below Fontenelle as well. Look for fish in the slower, deeper water. Black, gray, olive, and ginger are my go to spring colors. Some of my favorite patterns are the peanut envy, dungeon, sculpin leech, and the sculpzilla.

Fishing is closed from the Dam to the cable above Weeping Rock Campground until January 1, 2023.

Provo River Fishing Report

The snowpack in the Provo River Drainage is currently sitting around 157 percent of normal.

Dam releases below Jordanelle Reservoir are at 149 CFS. Flows in Charleston are at 158 CFS. Flows below Deer Creek Reservoir are at 132 CFS. Current water temperatures are around 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

When fishing the Provo River during the winter, look for fish in the slower, deeper runs. The best time to fish is during the warmest part of the day (10 AM to 2 PM).

When fishing in the winter you will mainly be fishing subsurface with sow bugs and midges. Try a small tailwater sow bug or Ray Charles 18-22. For midges, think small. Have a decent selection of tiny midges in the 20-26 size range. When nymphing midges, I like bling midges, cardinal midges, blood midges, WD 40’s, etc. Gray, brown, and red have been my go to colors as of late. For midge dry flies, I’ll use small mother shuckers, Matt’s midge, or a cluster midge all in that size 20-24 range.

Don’t be afraid to try streamers. Try slow stripping a sculpzilla or woolly bugger in some of the deeper holes. You might be rewarded with a substantial fish.

Weber River Fishing Report

Current snowpack in the Weber Ogden drainage is sitting at 156 percent of normal.

Releases out of Rockport reservoir are currently at 28.2 CFS

Releases out of Echo reservoir are currently at .99 CFS.

River flows by Mountain Green are at approximately 62 CFS.

I would recommend fishing elsewhere.

Small Stream Fishing Report

Most of Utah’s small streams are inaccessible due to snow. Current snowpacks around the state sit between 121 and 193 percent of normal. We are off to a fantastic water year. Let’s keep it going.