Shoestring Lake

Shoestring Lake is a lake in Summit County, Utah and covers about 7.7 acres, reaches about 10.7 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 32.8 acre-feet.

One weed edge or deeper pocket can hold much of the day’s activity; follow any bait found near the surface, then give shaded water a separate pass. With little deep water in Shoestring Lake, 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; follow the old channel through the lake, then separate open-water fish from bank fish.

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; try the first deep shelf after the bank, then use one moving lure and one slow bait.

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; check a rocky edge, then give shaded water a separate pass.

Season by Season

Shallow water is worth a careful look in spring and again during fall; bright summer days favor shade, weeds, or deeper breaks; under ice, a small depth change can be more useful than a long move; follow the old channel through the lake, then try a natural color before a loud pattern.

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 the clean side of wind, then watch for food before choosing lure depth.

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; work a creek turn before a flat bank, then test the drop before leaving.