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Fishing in Utah
Utah Fishing at a Glance
From crystal blue streams and high alpine lakes to lowland reservoirs, Utah’s fishing is as varied and fantastic as its spectacular landscape.
Utah is particularly famed for its outstanding trout fishing in high mountain lakes and streams, but there are a wealth of other options as well including fearsome tiger muskie, wipers, walleye, bass, crappie, catfish and monster lake trout that can weigh up to 40 pounds. Striped bass are so common that they regularly remove limits. Fishing is all year round in most waters
There are a few things you should know. For starters, all fishermen over the age of 16 must have a valid Utah fishing license. There are also certain regulations in place regarding the size and catch limit of fish (see state links below).
There are countless great public spots for fishing in Utah, but some of the most popular include the Green River, the Weber River, and the Provo River. No matter where you choose to fish, you’re sure to have a great time and maybe even catch yourself a trophy!
Utah ranks #14 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita and has a good number of local fishing enhtusiasts with over 15.19% of the population having fishing licenses.
Key Insights
- Utah offers diverse fishing opportunities in crystal blue streams, high alpine lakes, and lowland reservoirs.
- The state is particularly famous for its outstanding trout fishing in high mountain lakes and streams.
- Popular catches include tiger muskie, wipers, walleye, bass, crappie, catfish, and monster lake trout.
- Fishing is allowed all year round in most waters.
- All fishermen over the age of 16 must have a valid Utah fishing license.
- There are regulations in place regarding the size and catch limit of fish.
- Some of the most popular public spots for fishing in Utah include the Green River, the Weber River, and the Provo River.
Table of Contents
Estimated Fishing Enthusiasts
| Population: | 3,271,616 |
|---|---|
| Fishing Enthusiasts | 497,020 |
| Fishing License % | 15.19% |
| Hunters Rank | 14 |
Land Types (Acres)
| Acres | % | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 52,587,500 | ||
| Public | 37,019,770 | 70.40% | 3 |
| Private | 13,281,230 | 25.26% | 47 |
| Tribal | 2,286,500 | 4.35% | 6 |
Utah Fishing Licenses & Requirements
For the most accurate and updated information on fishing licenses and requirements, it’s always a good idea to check the Utah DNR. We’ve provided their contact information and other helpful information for your convenience here.
Utah DNR
1594 W North Temple
Suite 2110, Box 146301
Salt Lake City, UT 78744
- (801) 538-4700
Helpful Links
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Fishing in Utah offers a variety of trout species, each with their own specific traits that make them well-suited to the environment they inhabit. Brown trout are found in slower-moving waters full of cover, while rainbow trout prefer more swift streams. Cutthroat trout can be identified by the red marking on their throats and live mainly in chilly mountain rivers and lakes. The brook trout is the smallest type of trout and are usually found in small streams or ponds, while bull trout are the largest of the bunch and inhabit both rivers and lakes.
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Fishing private land in Utah
Fishing on private land in Utah has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Utah or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.
1. Provo River
2. Weber River
3. Utah Lake
4. Pineview Reservoir
5. Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Fishing private land in Utah
Fishing on private land in Utah has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Utah or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.