Fishing in Utah

There are thousands of natural lakes, reservoirs and mountain streams throughout the mountainous areas of Utah. Many are stocked with trout and other fish in a well run state program. Noteworthy fishing destinations include Flaming Gorge and the Uinta Mountains in the north, and Lake Powell in the south.

Destinations to consider are grouped by region below. Select any destination that interests you for more detailed information.

NORTHERN UTAH

Bear Lake is an 150 square mile lake set attractively between low, lightly timbered mountains. Anglers go for cutthroat and rainbow trout, mackinaw, whitefish and in winter Bonneville cisco.

Flaming Gorge NRA contains beautiful Flaming Gorge Lake, surrounded by brightly colored canyon walls. The lake is renowned for its trophy lake trout and provides excellent opportunities for smallmouth bass, Kokanee salmon and [other cold water fish]. The Green River below the dam enjoys its own fine reputation for trout fishing in a beautiful setting.

The Uinta Mountains, Utah's tallest mountain range, are dotted with thousands of small lakes. Over 600 of them are stocked regularly (by airplane) with trout fingerlings. Some lakes are accessible by car, but your best opportunities will take some hiking.

There are also numerous reservoirs and streams near Logan, Ogden, Provo and Salt Lake City that are stocked for fishing.

CENTRAL UTAH

Fish Lake is a large natural lake 8,800 feet up in the heavily forested Fishlake Mountains. The lake has good fishing for large lake trout as well as rainbows, browns and splake. Winter brings heavy snow and opportunities for ice fishing.

Tushar Mountains -- The Tushar Mountains are a pretty range with a number of pretty, small lakes. Though the Tushars exceed the height of the Wasatch Mountains in Northern Utah, they remain under appreciated and relatively uncrowded.

The Wasatch Plateau is an expansive area of forested peaks and rolling hills with numerous mountain lakes. Many of them are stocked with trout and offer good opportunities in pretty surroundings.

SOUTHEASTERN UTAH

Southeastern Utah ain't the place for fishing.

SOUTHWESTERN UTAH

Boulder Mountain rises 11,000 feet above Capitol Reef National Park. It makes up half of the Aquarius Plateau, a forested highland that occupies some 900 square miles west and north of scenic Hwy 12. Small lakes and streams throughout the mountains make for great wilderness fishing.

Lake Powell is a spectacular lake beautifully contained within tall red rock canyon walls. It offers good opportunities for largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass, walleye, and channel catfish. Panfish such as black crappies and bluegills are also numerous.

The Markagunt Plateau is an attractive, heavily forested, highland located just east of Cedar City. It contains Cedar Breaks National Monument, an area of colorful, eroded rock forms, and the ski resort town of Brian Head. It has a couple of decent sized natural lakes stocked with rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout.