Fishing in Salt Lake City: Midges, Spearfishing, and Secluded Spots

For December 1, 2024, in the Salt Lake City area, here’s a local’s perspective on the fishing scene: Today, the weather is expected to be crisp with a hint of winter, typical for this time of year. Sunrise is at 7:32 AM, and sunset will be at 5:02 PM. Since we're in a landlocked area, tidal reports aren't relevant, but the moon phase is in its new moon phase, which can be a productive time for fishing. Fish activity has been decent, especially in the afternoons. On the Middle Provo River, anglers have been having success with nymphing small midges in sizes 24-26, particularly in grey, black, and brown colors. The Buffalo Midge hatch has been excellent, usually starting around 12:30 PM. For dry fly fishing, Mother Shuckers in grey, brown, and black have been effective[2]. At Utah Lake and its tributaries, spearfishing for white bass and northern pike is now allowed, which has been attracting a lot of attention. For those using traditional gear, small midges and sow bugs in sizes 22-24 have been working well[1]. If you're looking for hot spots, consider the Middle Provo River, especially the Green Gate and Bunny Farm areas. Utah Lake and its tributaries, such as American Fork Creek and Spanish Fork River, are also worth a visit. For a more secluded experience, Stansbury Lake, recently opened to the public, requires that all largemouth bass be released, and it has a 10-fish limit for bluegill, green sunfish, and black crappie combined[1]. In terms of bait, small midges, sow bugs, and even tiny dry flies like the Buffalo Midge or Mother Shuckers are your best bets. For spearfishing, targeting white bass and northern pike in Utah Lake and its tributaries can be very rewarding. Overall, it's a good day to get out on the water, especially with the warmer afternoons making the fish more active. Just remember to check the local regulations, as there have been some recent changes to fishing rules in the area[1][3]. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.