Autumn Transition and Tasty Bites in Salt Lake City

It’s Artificial Lure, back on this crisp Wednesday, November 5th, reporting from in and around Salt Lake City, Utah. The story today is all about autumn transition—glorious weather, active fish, and changing strategies as we coast deeper into November. Let’s start with the **weather**: Salt Lake is waking up to clear skies, a morning temp near 48°F and topping out around 67 by mid-afternoon, according to Time and Date and AQI.in. There’s a gentle southwest breeze, low humidity, and no real chance of rain. Dawn broke at 7:17 AM; sunset will wrap things up around 5:18 PM. Visibility is stellar, and the air feels downright refreshing. With the recent full moon, night fishing remains tempting for those after bigger, bolder bites. **Tidal info** doesn’t apply directly to our freshwater scene—Great Salt Lake is a closed-basin saltwater remnant, and area rivers and reservoirs are untidal—but moon phase does matter. The full moon means those browns, rainbows, and cutthroats are likely feeding hard during the pre-dawn and dusk windows, which aligns great with today's solunar tables from SolunarForecast.com: major feeding times hit from 8:52 to 10:52 AM and then again after dark—if you’re brave enough. On to the **catch report**. This week’s patterns on Northern Utah waters—pulled straight from Western Rivers Flyfisher—show active **brown trout and rainbows** on the Middle and Lower Provo Rivers. Browns are spawning, so please tread carefully and avoid obvious redds. Flow on the Middle Provo has eased to 150 CFS; the Lower is at 160. Fish are tight along river edges and deep pools, with more rising in quiet pockets during calm, sunny periods. Most folks are reporting solid numbers of 12- to 18-inch trout on nymphs, especially tiny midges, Blue-Winged Olive mayflies in sizes 20 to 24, and October caddis mid-morning to late afternoon. When hatch activity goes quiet, terrestrial bugs—ants, beetles, hoppers—can wake up wary fish, especially if you drift them close to banks where pressure is lower. If you want to mix it up, swinging soft hackles and streamers along undercut banks and deeper runs is moving some big fish as those browns get territorial. Please note, per the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, possessing kokanee salmon is off-limits until Dec 1, so release any you incidentally hook. Let’s not forget the **community ponds and lakes**: These spots are still giving up **channel cats, bluegills, and even some wipers** on cut bait, worms, and a good old slip bobber setup in the evenings. Early morning, micro crankbaits and small jigs are sticking panfish and the occasional bass, especially as water temps hang in the upper 40s to low 50s. Best **lures and bait** for today: - **Nymphs**: Zebra midges, small pheasant tails, and BWO patterns fished shallow - **Terrestrials**: Ant, beetle, and hopper imitations in the afternoons - **Streamers**: Olive/black buggers and sculpin patterns for deep banks - **Bait**: Nightcrawlers, cut bait for the cats and pa This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.