Great Fishing In Utah
Guide to fishing in the Beehive State
Utah is a state blessed with a diverse range of fishing opportunities, catering to anglers of all interests. One of the most appealing aspects of fishing in Utah is the variety of fish species that inhabit its waters. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the state, plus the species found in each lake.
Anglers can find warm water fisheries teeming with popular species like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, black crappie, yellow perch, and bluegill. These warm water lakes and ponds provide thrilling angling experiences for those seeking to catch gamefish known for their fighting spirit.
On the other hand, Utah boasts exceptional cold water fisheries that lure trout enthusiasts from across the country. Pristine mountain lakes and rivers offer a home to various trout species, including rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and brown trout. The clear, cold waters of these lakes provide the perfect habitat for these prized gamefish, making them ideal destinations for fly fishing and other trout fishing techniques.
In addition to lakes and rivers, Utah also offers opportunities for fishing in ponds and reservoirs scattered throughout the state. Some of these smaller bodies of water have been specially stocked to provide excellent fishing experiences, particularly for families and beginner anglers.
Utah's fishing landscape is as diverse as its stunning landscapes. Whether you prefer warm water or cold water fisheries, there's a fishing spot waiting for you in this outdoor paradise. From chasing bass in the warm summer months to angling for trout in the refreshing mountain streams, Utah provides anglers with a wealth of fishing opportunities year-round.
The state of Utah offers a unique variety of fishing with options for fishing high altitude lakes for big trout and salmon or desert lakes for big bass, crappie and stripers. Whether you like to fish lakes, ponds, streams or rivers, you can find them in Utah. In winter, ice fishing is popular.
The state of Utah offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities. Here, you can fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill, green sunfish, white bass, yellow perch, stripers, northern pike and tiger muskie in local lakes, rivers, ponds and/or streams. Here are some of the larger fishing lakes.
Major Utah Lakes & Species
Lake & Fish Chart
This chart shows the major angling destinations, cross referencing these waters with the major species to be found in each of the lakes or impoundments.
For a detailed list of primary fish species in UT, plus state fish records, see the list below.
Fishing lake sizes and locations in the state.
Bear Lake is a 70,000-acre lake on the northern border of the state, at Garden City.
Deer Creek Reservoir is a 3,000-acre lake in the northeast corner of the state, at Charleston.
Fish Lake is a 2,500-acre lake in the central part of the state, at Koosharem.
Flaming Gorge Reservoir is a 42,000-acre lake on the northern border part of the state, at Manila.
Jordanelle Reservoir is a 3,300-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Park City.
Lake Powell is a 160,000-acre lake on the southern border part of the state, at Big Water.
Navajo Lake is a 3,800-acre lake in the southwest corner of the state, 25 miles east of Cedar City.
Otter Creek Reservoir is a 2,500-acre lake in the south-central part of the state, at Antimony.
Pineview Reservoir is a 2,900-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, at Huntsville.
Piute Reservoir is a 2,500-acre lake in the south-central part of the state, at Junction.
Scofield Reservoir is a 2,800-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Scofield.
Sevier Bridge Reservoir, aka Yuba Reservoir, is a 10,900-acre lake in the central part of the state, at Fayette.
Starvation Lake is a 2,800-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, at Duchesne.
Strawberry Reservoir is a 19,000-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, 20 miles east of Springville.
Utah Lake is a 97,000-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Provo.
State of UT Fishing Information
Fishing In Utah information is available at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website along with details for acquiring a Utah fishing license.
Fish for big bass
Excellent largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing opportunities are available to anglers.
Fish Species & State Records in Utah
Bass
Largemouth bass
World record: 22 lbs 4 oz
State Record: 10 lbs 2 oz
Smallmouth bass
World record: 11 lbs 15 oz
State Record: 7 lbs 6 oz
Catfish
Channel catfish
World record: 58 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 32 lbs 8 oz
Crappie
Black crappie
World record: 6 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 3 lbs 5 oz
Walleye
Walleye
World record: 25 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 15 lbs 9 oz
Trout
Rainbow trout
World record: 42 lbs 2 oz
State Record: 26 lbs 2 oz
Cutthroat trout
World record: 41 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 26 lbs 12 oz
Brook trout
World record: 14 lbs 8 oz
State Record: 7 lbs 8 oz
Brown trout
World record: 40 lbs 4 oz
State Record: 33 lbs 10 oz
Lake trout
World record: 72 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 53 lbs 15 oz
Golden trout
World record: 11 lbs 4 oz
State Record: 1 lbs 2.88 oz
Panfish
Bluegill
World record: 4 lbs 12 oz
State Record: 2 lbs 7 oz
Green sunfish
World record: 2.2 lbs
State Record: 0 lbs 15.5 oz
White Bass
World record: 6.8 lbs
State Record: 4 lbs 1 oz
Yellow perch
World record: 4 lbs 3 oz
State Record: 2 lbs 11 oz
Striped bass
Stripers
Inland world record: 64 lbs 8 oz
State Record: 48 lbs 11 oz
Hybrid Striper (Wiper)
World record: 27 lbs 5 oz
State Record: 14 lbs 0 oz
Other species
Northern pike
World record: 55 lbs 1 oz
State Record: 26 lbs 1 oz
Tiger muskie
World record: 51 lbs 2 oz
State Record: 33 lbs 9 oz
Click the images and links above for species details.
Fishing in all states
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UTAH
