Utica Reservoir

Have any of you ever been up to Utica Reservoir.  Its a cool little reservoir not too far from Bear Valley. No power boats allowed, has lots of nice little islands on it and you are allowed to paddle out to and camp on them if you like.  Not sure how the fishing is there but know there is decent fishing in many of the other lakes around there like Union Valley, Alpine, etc.  We took our kayaks and paddled around there one day while camping over at Alpine Lake and are going to make it a point to do some island camping out on the islands at Utica this year.  I think they are first come first serve but we plan on going during the week in hopes of getting an island to ourselves.
Walter

Very nice reservior and it does have trout in it. It gets stocked a couple of times a year.

Good place to camp because it is away from the usual "hotspots" (Spiecer's & Alpine) up there, but close enough you can go to them.

my friend lyle has been trying to get me to go kayakcamping there for years. he says it is the most perfect place for it. he has taken his familly there several times. he says it is absolutly gorgeous with all the firewood you can eat. it is a high elevation lake 7000 ft ish. less mosquitos,more cold.

I fished there years ago with my dad out of his canoe, don't remember how we did but I do remember it being beautiful up there. 

Yes its incredibly beautiful up there, go during the week and you stand a good chance of getting your own island to camp on.  We explored several of the islands and were impressed w/how clean they are left.  Several of the islands even had been left rakes to clean up after ones self.  We came in after paddling around for a good part of the day, started cooking up some dinner before heading back to Alpine Lake.  About 45 min later here comes a group of about 5-6 guys in canoes, kayaks loaded to the hilt with everything including the kitchen sink, they had spent three days out there on the islands on what I guess was an annual thing for them.  From the looks of them and their empty cases of brew Im thinking they one heck of a three days out there!  We are going for sure at least once and probably more this coming season, during the week of course. 
Walter

I went last year. It is very pretty and secluded, perfect for kayak camping. We caught loads of small catfish: I don't think it gets stocked anymore, but Union, Spicer and Alpine are all close.

I haven't been to Utica before--it's on my places-to-go list. However, I do love to go to New Spicer to wilderness camp and paddle/fish all day. Beautiful country up that way. I'd definitely be in for an NCKA campout!

Janice aka "Big J"

Spent the day on Union last summer with the family and dog, some friends and two yaks.  We ferried everyone/everything over on the yaks and spent the day on one of the islands.  It would have been PERFECT for camping!  Spent a lot of time trolling, and a lot of time dunking power bait from shore and got one small catfish, although it is supposed to be stocked.  It is a beautiful spot.   

  I just looked at Utica on Google earth, and it looks like a great place to go!  Beautiful for sure.  I've never been to it, but a while ago (10yrs maybe) went to Spicer.  I had my little 12 alum. boat with me then, and didn't land or even get any hits from trout that trip!  Dad had his new Crestliner then with him, I don't recall him landing anything either. 
  Sure is beautiful up there though!  I'd like to get up there sometime this year with my kayak and do the island camp thing as well!


Troy