South Elk Hole

South Elk Hole is a lake in San Juan County, Utah and covers about 0.2 acres, reaches about 5.3 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 0.5 acre-feet.

The small size of South Elk Hole makes quiet casts and short moves more useful than carrying a pile of tackle. With little deep water in South Elk Hole, 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; try deeper shade during summer afternoons, then use a smaller lure in clear water.

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; keep the first pass close to structure, then give low-light water a slower bottom pass.

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; work a creek turn before a flat bank, then use the old channel as a guide.

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; work a creek turn before a flat bank, then separate open-water fish from bank fish.

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; use a light bait when the water is clear, then keep the bait above soft bottom.

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; check a protected pocket after sunrise, then separate open-water fish from bank fish.