Reid Neilson Reservoir

Reid Neilson Reservoir is a reservoir in Emery County, Utah and covers about 0.7 acres, reaches about 9.3 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 3 acre-feet.

The small size of Reid Neilson Reservoir makes quiet casts and short moves more useful than carrying a pile of tackle. With little deep water in Reid Neilson 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; use a slow bait after the search lure, then fish the windy and calm sides differently.

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; follow a short creek arm, then use the same depth on the next similar feature.

How to Read the Water

Make one shallow pass and one deeper pass on the same shoreline; that shows whether fish are tight to cover or using the first break; test the clearest edge, then return to productive water when light changes.

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; check a rocky edge, then save the heaviest tackle for deep cover.

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; pause the bait on each small drop, then use wind to narrow the search.

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; fish the first useful drop, then try a natural color before a loud pattern.