This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Most anglers know fall can provide spectacular fishing for a variety of species of fish. In recent years most of that attention has been focused on Strawberry Reservoir.

The grand ole dame of trout fishing in Utah continues to provide excellent fall fishing for big rainbow and cutthroat.

Alan Ward, Strawberry project leader for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, reports that the fall fishing action started a couple of weeks ago and will continue right up until ice covers the reservoir.

"People seem to be finding a lot of rainbows this fall," he said."More cutthroat are showing up as the weather continues to cool. The typical angler reports of 30-fish days are coming in."

Ward and other biologists set gill nets last week as part of the annual fall sampling to monitor fish numbers and health. Ward said it was early and there was data to be worked but it seemed to him that rainbow trout were running about 16 inches, with some larger heavyweights landed on occasion.

Bear Lake cutthroat range from 14 inches to the end of the required release slot limit at 22- to 23-inches.

Anglers need to remember the limit of four trout at Strawberry with a mandatory catch and release regulation on all cutthroat trout between 15 and 22 inches. Anglers are allowed to keep four rainbows of any size, but only two cutthroat under 15 inches and only one over 22 inches.

Ward said conservation officers will be enforcing the slot limit rules while patrolling during the busy fall season.

There are, of course, larger cutts that will be caught this fall.

"We hear of about 3- to 4-pound rainbows and we are still seeing fish in the 4- to 6-pound class," Ward said.

There may not be as many large cutthroat as in years past due to the weak age class of planted fish. The stockers were on the small side and may have ended up in the stomachs of their larger counterparts at Strawberry. There should still be plenty of fish to keep anglers happy.

The great fall fishing at the 'Berry started attracting bass anglers, and around 2000 the word got out that bass fishing techniques were effective on big trout in the shallows. Those techniques not only work from boats, but also from shore. —

Video link

Fall fishing at Strawberry Reservoir • http://bit.ly/vuM9nJ —

Safe fishing

Strawberry Reservoir is notorious for high winds, which capsize boats each year. The danger of being on the water when those winds hit is magnified in fall due to cooler water and air temperature.

Always wear a life jacket and be prepared for all kinds of weather.

Check weather reports before you go, and if you are fishing in a smaller boat, stay close to the launch ramp and avoid open water.

If the winds pick up, get off of the lake. —

Popular fall lures for Strawberry

Bass fishing techniques have been a popular fall fishing method for the past decade. Here's a primer on some bass options that work well.

Lucky Craft pointer • If there is a lure that has become synonymous with fishing at Strawberry, it is the Lucky Craft pointer. This hard plastic jerkbait is meant to be fished erratically. Big cutthroat are often spotted following the lure to the boat and, sometimes, if you stop reeling and let it sit the fish will strike.

Tube jigs • These soft plastic jigs seem simple, but their effectiveness at Strawberry is well documented. Some anglers tip the tube jigs with a night crawler, but it is not always needed. Casting, jigging or trolling tube jigs is productive. White, smoke, watermelon and pumpkin are good colors.

Fluke or jerkshad • This soft plastic jerlkbait lure imitates a wounded minnow and is fished on the surface or just below the surface. The fish are often seen coming from the depths to hammer the lure. White is a popular color at Strawberry, but some anglers swear by the bubble gum color.

Swimbaits • These hard or soft plastic lures look and feel like a real fish. One of the best colors at Strawberry is the rainbow trout pattern.