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Big Cottonwood Creek

River fishing  Utah · 07:07 - 19:36

Big Cottonwood Creek is a stretch of moving water in Utah. The main target species are White Bass, Bluegill and Muskellunge.

Prime 68% The bite right now
Top bet: White Bass Active through the day, water near its preferred 21 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
79%
69°
Thu
79%
71°
Fri
80%
63°
Sat
81%
60°
Sun
76%
64°
Mon
82%
67°
Best day

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Partly cloudy
Water temp (est.)
70°F
Air temp
69°F
Wind
13 mph
Pressure
29.96 inHg → stable
Clouds
69.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 06:22–08:22 Day 08:22–18:21 Dusk 18:21–20:21

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waxing crescent 14% lit
Major period 15:37–17:37 Major period 03:37–05:37 Minor period 11:05–12:35 Minor period 20:38–22:08

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

14:00
69°
15:00
70°
16:00
70°
17:00
70°
18:00
68°
19:00
64°
20:00
58°
21:00
56°
22:00
55°
23:00
55°
00:00
54°
01:00
55°

Likely catch now (15 species)

White Bass
Morone chrysops
68%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 21 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.
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Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
65%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 21 degrees.
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Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
59%
Water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
58%
Water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season, a fishy ripple on the water.
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Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
57%
Water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season.
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Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
47%
Peak season.
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About the fishing here

The usual catches here are White Bass, Bluegill, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass and Brook Trout.

White Bass fishing is usually best around Apr-May. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a spoon for white bass, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for white bass at the day. Fish hard now.
Lure Spoon for white bass: Small shiny spoon in the school.
Colour Clear water and good light: try silver, white and shiny for white bass.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

About this water

Big Cottonwood Creek is located in the Wasatch Mountains just east of Salt Lake City. It is part of the Big Cottonwood Creek Watershed, which ranges in elevation from 5,000 to 10,500 feet with the headwaters around 9,600 feet (2,900 m). The creek flows through the Big Cottonwood Canyon in a westerly direction until it emerges into Salt Lake Valley about eighteen miles (29 km) from its highest source. Thence its course is northwesterly through Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, and Murray, Utah for a little over twenty-four miles (39 km) from the headwaters until it empties into the Jordan River about five miles (8.0 km) south of Salt Lake City. The water eventually flows into the Great Salt Lake. In the summer, its waters are all used for irrigation purposes. From its source to its original outlet in the Jordan River is about twenty-six miles (42 km).

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Big Cottonwood Creek?

Anglers here regularly land White Bass, Bluegill, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Brook Trout, Northern Pike and Brown Trout.

Do you need a fishing license at Big Cottonwood Creek?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Big Cottonwood Creek?

For White Bass, the fishing tends to peak around Apr-May. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Big Cottonwood Creek right now?

Right now White Bass is the most likely catch, at about 19%.