The reservoir is now free of ice and the elevation is currently 6,027 feet. 

In February, fisheries biologists from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources shared work plans and updates on the Flaming Gorge fishery. See the recording of the public meeting for details. 

Lake trout: Recent fishing reports indicate lake trout fishing success has been fair depending on the day. The best reports have come from around Buckboard. Small lake trout are being caught while trolling, casting and vertically jigging. Look for fish along the main channel in depths of 50-100 feet. Lake trout are commonly observed on the bottom, but will also be suspended in the water column. Suspended fish are typically the most aggressive, too. Good lures to jig include jigging spoons, rap baits (like jigging Raps or Tikka minnows), and jigs in 1/4- to 1/2-ounce weight or 3-4 inches in size. Tip the lures with a small amount of bait, like sucker or chub meat. Trolling can be effective as well, using small spoons, dodger/squids and crankbaits. Good colors include white, glow and chartreuse. Trolling crankbaits close to the surface or casting jigs and swim baits near shore may also be productive. If you're not marking fish, move, and if you're not catching marked fish, change your presentation. This is a great time to target lake trout, specifically small ones that are overabundant and consume kokanee salmon. Please help the resource by harvesting some of the overabundant lake trout under 25 inches. This size class of fish makes exceptional table fare. For more information on areas and techniques to target lake trout and burbot, visit the Flaming Gorge Fishery Management site. Kokanee salmon: Some anglers are having success jigging with jigging spoons and trolling with dodgers and squids. Look for kokanee schools suspended 25-55 feet deep along cliff lines or in the backs of canyons. Rainbow and cutthroat trout: Fishing has been good for boat and shore anglers casting jigs and fly fishing patterns. Good lures for spin anglers include marabou jigs or tube jigs tipped with a small amount of bait like Gulp or worm. Fly anglers should try woolly buggers or even egg patterns. Natural colors, such as olive or brown, have been working well for jigs. Smallmouth bass: No recent reports. Burbot: The ice is gone but burbot can also be caught from a boat. Target burbot at night along rocky points and shorelines in 10-40 feet of water, using glow-in-the-dark lures like Yamamoto grubs, Radical Glow tubes, Ned's Bait Box plastics and Northland Buckshot spoons. Tip the lure with a small piece of sucker/chub meat, recharge the glow frequently, and jig or deadstick the presentation a couple of inches from the bottom. Please remember all burbot must be killed. (April 24, 2024)