Warm Winter Delay—But the 'Berry Is ON FIRE! First Ice Fishing Trip of the Season

After one of the warmest winters Utah has seen in years, ice fishing at Strawberry Reservoir was slow to get going. Weeks of open water had anglers wondering if the Berry would freeze at all. But during the final week of January, the temperatures finally dropped just enough for safe, fishable ice to form in protected bays—and we wasted no time getting out on the hard deck. In this episode, we’re joined by our good friends from Strawberry Bay Marina for a blue‑sky, sun‑soaked day of late‑season ice fishing. Despite the delayed freeze‑up, the fishing was solid, with aggressive cutthroat trout and rainbow trout coming topside throughout the day. We break down exactly what’s working on the ice right now, including: The lures, jigs, and bait consistently getting bites Color choices and presentations that triggered strikes Depths fish are holding at during these late‑January conditions If you’re planning a trip of your own, this video also delivers a real‑time ice conditions update. We talk about where the ice is safe, areas that still need caution, and what kind of ice thickness we’re seeing in the bays. With late‑forming ice like this, safety is key—and we share what to watch for before stepping out. We also cover an important access update—the current status of the West Side Road into Strawberry Reservoir, which has been a major concern for anglers this winter. Knowing road conditions ahead of time can make or break your trip, and we make sure you’re informed before you go.