Hartney Lake

Hartney Lake is a lake in Sanpete County, Utah and covers about 3.2 acres, reaches about 9 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 11.6 acre-feet.

One weed edge or deeper pocket can hold much of the day’s activity; follow any bait found near the surface, then slow the bait when a good edge appears. With little deep water in Hartney Lake, weeds, wind, and water color can matter more than depth alone.

Fish and Baits

Fish listed for Hartney Lake include Brook Trout, and Rainbow Trout.

For rainbow trout on Hartney Lake, cast a small spoon, inline spinner, light jig, or fly through cool water.

How to Read the Water

Start where two things meet: weeds and open water, rock and mud, a point and a drop, or clear water and dirty water; fish that edge at more than one depth before leaving it; change depth before changing the whole spot, then fish the edge from top to bottom.

Season by Season

Spring runoff can add color and pull fish toward fresh water; green weeds and the first drop become stronger summer targets; in fall, follow bait toward points and shallow flats, while winter rewards a slower search; give shaded water a separate pass.

A Simple Tackle Plan

A light spinning rod, thin line, a few small spoons, inline spinners, and jigs cover the listed trout; carry one slightly heavier setup when other fish or windy water call for more control; look along a shallow shelf, then use a smaller lure in clear water.

At Hartney Lake, record the wind, water color, productive depth, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce.