Maidenwater Reservoir

Maidenwater Reservoir is a reservoir in Garfield County, Utah and covers about 0.5 acres, reaches about 8.3 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 1.8 acre-feet.

The small size of Maidenwater Reservoir makes quiet casts and short moves more useful than carrying a pile of tackle. With little deep water in Maidenwater Reservoir, weeds, wind, and water color can matter more than depth alone.

Fish and Baits

The fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch; start on a firm point, then change lure speed before moving.

Begin with one slow bottom presentation and one moving bait, then let bites show whether fish are holding close to cover or roaming open water; search one cove before changing areas, then follow bait before changing areas.

How to Read the Water

Do not let the deepest number control the whole day; nearby cover, firm bottom, and food usually matter more than the deepest hole by itself; keep the first pass close to structure, then move only after checking the nearby drop.

Season by Season

Early in the year, protected water and the first warm afternoon can be the best clues; as the water heats up, check deeper edges without assuming every fish is on the bottom; cooling fall water often makes points and firm banks useful again; cast across the point tip, then keep the first route short.

A Simple Tackle Plan

A medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle; check a rocky edge, then use a smaller lure in clear water.

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; try the windblown bank, then watch for food before choosing lure depth.