Salt Lake Fishing Report: Hatches, Stockers & Spawning Trout

Artificial Lure here with your Salt Lake City fishing report for Sunday, April 20, 2025. We’ve had classic spring weather rolling through the Wasatch Front, with mild mornings and temps warming up quickly by midday. For today, expect partly cloudy skies, light breezes, and highs in the low 60s. Sunrise hit at 6:44 AM with sunset coming at 8:14 PM. While we don’t have tidal data in this landlocked region, the weather pattern should make for comfortable, productive fishing in the valley and up in the canyons. The rivers around Salt Lake City, particularly the Middle Provo, are turning on as midges and blue-winged olives are hatching throughout the day. Flows have bumped up on the Middle Provo to around 307 CFS which can throw the fish off a bit at first, but the action usually gets hot again once both the fish and insects adjust. Watch for afternoon olive hatches and go with size 18-20 Comparaduns or No Seeums in grey or olive. Earlier in the day, black and grey zebra midges in size 22-26 or the Mother Shucker pattern are killing it. Nymphing before and after hatches is still highly effective, especially if you use Jeongs patterns in black or brown. On cooler, cloudy days (like today), expect especially strong surface activity in the afternoon. If you’re fishing the seams and riffles, you’re in for a treat as rainbows are starting to show their spawning colors, so watch where you step and avoid disturbing any redds[3][4][5]. For the stillwaters, the Sandy Community Fishery has been stocked consistently in April, with three recent plants of rainbow trout ranging from 9.5 to over 17 inches just within the past two weeks. On April 16, 175 rainbows averaging nearly 16 inches plus a few bruisers over 17 inches were added, making it a great option for those looking for easy bank access and plenty of fish[1][2]. These fresh stockers are eager to bite on PowerBait in chartreuse or rainbow colors, nightcrawlers fished just off the bottom, and small Panther Martin or Rooster Tail spinners. Fly anglers should use small woolly buggers and egg patterns. Top hotspots today include the Middle Provo River, especially near River Road Bridge, and the Sandy Community Fishery for easy access and action. For families or new anglers, the Sandy Community Fishery is hard to beat. For a more technical challenge, hit the Middle Provo and bring your midge and olive patterns. To wrap up, fishing right now around Salt Lake City is excellent with steady stockings and strong river activity thanks to spring insect hatches. Whether you like tossing hardware, soaking bait, or matching the hatch with flies, you’ll find success this weekend. Tight lines from Artificial Lure, and remember to tread carefully to protect spawning trout. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.