Early Summer Stable Pattern: Trout and Smallmouth Biting Well at Jordanelle and Deer Creek

This is Artificial Lure with your Salt Lake City fishing report. We’re in a stable early‑summer pattern along the Wasatch Front. Overnight temps dipped into the low 50s with afternoon highs pushing mid to upper 80s, mostly clear skies, and a light south breeze building in the afternoon. KSL’s forecast has high pressure parked over northern Utah, so plan on bright sun, low clouds, and increasing wind after lunch. No tides to worry about on our freshwater reservoirs, but wind chop will be your “tide” this afternoon. First light hit a little after 5:50 a.m., and you’ll lose usable light around 9:05 p.m. That gives you long, low‑light windows at dawn and dusk, which is when the bite has been best. Around the valley, water levels are good but dropping slowly as runoff tapers. Water clarity at the big reservoirs is 3–6 feet depending on the wind. Along the Jordan River, you’ll still find a bit of stain, just enough to let you throw slightly louder, flashier baits. Recent catch reports from local anglers and shop chatter around town say: - At **Jordanelle**, trout and smallmouth have been very cooperative. Shore anglers tossing 1/4‑oz silver Kastmasters and small gold Phoebes have been picking up rainbows and a few browns. Boaters working rocky points in 10–20 feet with green pumpkin tube jigs and 3" Ned rigs in natural shad colors are landing solid smallmouth, with some folks reporting a dozen or more fish on a morning run. - At **Deer Creek**, walleye and trout are showing up. Nightcrawlers on bottom bouncers along the old river channel and rocky breaks have put several eaters in the livewell for evening anglers. Trollers pulling small crankbaits in perch and firetiger patterns are picking up rainbows and the occasional walleye. - **Utah Lake** has been giving up channel catfish and white bass. Cut carp or chub meat on a simple slip sinker rig is producing steady cats after sunset along the east side access points. White bass schools have been hitting small white curly‑tail grubs and 1/8‑oz inline spinners; numbers are good when you stay on the school. - Local ponds like **Sugar House Park**, **Liberty Park**, and the **community fisheries in the suburbs** have been recently stocked with rainbow trout and bluegill. A simple bobber and nightcrawler, or a small piece of worm on a size 8 hook, has been all you need for kids to stay busy. Best **lures** for today: - For trout: 1/8–1/4 oz **silver or gold spoons**, 2–3" white or pearl swimbaits, and small Rooster Tails in black or brown. - For bass: **green pumpkin** or brown tube jigs, Ned rigs in natural or goby colors, and 3–4" dropshot worms in morning dawn or shad. - For walleye: bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses in chartreuse or orange; jigheads with nightcrawlers in 15–25 feet. - For catfish: **cut bait** (carp, chub, or shrimp) on a sturdy hook, fished on bottom just before and after dark. Best **baits**: - Nightcrawlers and chartreuse or pink PowerBait for stocked trout. - Nightcrawlers, cut bait, and chicken liver for catfish. - Nightcrawlers and pieces of worm for panfish in the warm shallow coves. Couple of local **hot spots** to circle on the map: - **Jordanelle Reservoir, Rock Cliff and main‑lake points**: Early‑morning smallmouth on tubes and Ned rigs, with bonus trout roaming just off the surface. Work wind‑blown banks; that light chop gets the baitfish moving. - **Deer Creek Reservoir, Wallsburg Bay and the main channel edges**: Drift or troll nightcrawlers for walleye and rainbows in the morning and again near sunset. Watch for subtle taps; the walleye are nipping short. If you’re staying closer to town after work, slip down to the **Jordan River** near 2300 South with a nightcrawler on bottom. You won’t get numbers like the reservoirs, but you’ve got a real shot at a surprise catfish or carp in the evening shade. That’s your Salt Lake City area fishing rundown from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a report. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please do Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn