Anglers rejoice: Ponds and streams ready for fishing

Here is the latest fishing report from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources:

Jordanelle — Some anglers are braving the ice and reporting more than 12 inches on the north end from Hailstone. Don't fish the Rock Cliff side — there is very little water. Much of the open water is around the dam. The edges are usually weak. It's best to wait for ice off.

Nine-mile — Success is fair to good through the ice. Try using white jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or jig Woolly Bugger flies. The fish are usually good-sized: 14 inches and up. The ice is about a foot thick.

Willow Pond (in Murray) — The pond was recently stocked and is fishing well. The other Salt lake County ponds are also open and fishable, except for Riverton pond, which is closed until April 1. The Jordan River is running very high and is not fishable.

Current Creek — The lake has good ice, and fishing is fair to good for cutthroat and tiger trout. The winter conditions are only limiting access to the dam.

Flaming Gorge — Ice conditions had been improving, but the warm weather is starting to melt things a bit. Check the ice carefully before trying to fish. One group of anglers drove onto ice that was over a foot deep but quickly returned to open water because of a pressure ridge. There has been safe ice from the pipeline northward, with a bit of snow that makes it easier to walk. Most of the Utah portion of the reservoir has ice. The Sheep Creek, Lucerne, Cedar Springs and Mustang Ridge boat ramps are now blocked. Warmer temperatures and wind could change conditions quickly, but launching at developed ramps isn't possible.

Pelican — Ice anglers report good fishing for bluegill, with a fair number of largemouth bass mixed in. Try more active jigging rather than slight movements.

Steinaker — Anglers report good fishing with some slow times. Morning and late afternoon seem to be the best times to fish. From the strike pattern, fish are moving in schools and are mainly near the bottom.

East Canyon — The first 4 feet of ice along the edges is melting and getting slushy. The ice is better once away from shore but is still unstable. Be safe and be prepared on the ice. Anglers report good fishing during the early morning and slow fishing during the day. Fish seem willing to move to shallower depths to take bait, so try rainbow PowerBait.

Echo — Good fishing for rainbows. Anglers are catching fish that average 10 to 12 inches. Try using a variety of baits, including minnows, PowerBait and white tube jigs with wax worms.