Current Conditions July — Live USGS & Weather Data
⚠️ Yellow Perch: Daily limit is 15 fish (Willard Bay specific rule).
⚠️ Walleye: Statewide limit — 6 per day, only 1 over 24 inches.
⚠️ Catfish: 10 fish daily limit combined channel/bullhead.
⚠️ Bass: 6 per day, only 1 over 12 inches.
| Species | Quantity | Avg Length | Date Stocked |
|---|---|---|---|
| No recent stocking data — check DWR directly | |||
Best Time to Fish Today
Early morning and late evening are prime. Midday heat pushes fish deeper — switch to 15-25 foot depths and target structure.
White bass go nuts on topwater lures at Willard Bay in summer mornings. Zara Spooks, poppers, and inline spinners worked fast over open flats when birds are working.
Summer nights are peak catfish time at Willard Bay. Set up near the inlet channel or north marina with nightcrawlers, cut shad, or stink bait on the bottom.
Yellow perch move deeper in summer heat. Drop shot rigs with small plastics in 15-25 feet along channel edges produce well throughout the day.
Troll deep-diving crankbaits or use snap weights to get down to 18-25 feet for summer walleye. Work the main channel and basin in shad patterns.
Small inline spinners and spoons trolled fast at 2.5-3 mph over open water flats will load up the boat on white bass when schools are active.
Jig vertically in 20-30 feet with blade baits or heavy tube jigs in shad colors over main basin structure. Early morning and dusk are most productive.
Multi-hook perch rigs with small pieces of nightcrawler or wax worms fished in 15-22 feet produce limits of yellow perch during summer.
The inlet channel is the top summer catfish spot. Fish prepared stink baits, cut carp, or nightcrawlers on the bottom from 9pm-2am for best results.
Float your bait just off the bottom using a foam bead — this keeps it in the strike zone and away from crayfish. Great for summer catfish at Willard Bay.