Northern Utah
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Fishing Bear Lake
Bear Lake is the second-largest freshwater lake and one of the best places to fish in Utah. It offers excellent fishing, including the popular “Cisco Disco” every January.
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Fishing Currant Creek and Reservoir
Currant Creek is an alpine reservoir where sweet fishing holes and beaver dam make for great fishing of native cutthroat trout.
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Fishing Duchesne River
The Duchesne River, a tributary of the Green River, drains the southwest slope of the Uinta Mountains, and has become a popular choice for local fisherman.
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Fishing Flaming Gorge
People travel to Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area from around the globe to fish for record-breaking trout and kokanee salmon
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Fishing Green River
If you are in the Flaming Gorge area and fish, even just a little bit, you shouldn’t leave without spending at least one day throwing your line across the blue ribbon waters of the Green River.
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Fishing Jordanelle State Park
Just outside Salt Lake City and Park City, anglers at Jordanelle State Park love the blue ribbon waters that are home to a variety of fish.
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Fishing Lake Canyon Lake
There is only one reason to fish Lake Canyon Lake, but one is all you need. OK, maybe there are two reasons. More on that later. Let’s start with the prime attraction: the Colorado River cutthroat trout.
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Fishing Logan River
The Logan River offers vast swaths of fisherman access, inordinate insect hatches and a fantastic fly-fishing ambiance for brown, rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout.
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Fishing Lost Creek State Park
Lost Creek State Park is located up a windy road 10 miles northeast of the town of Croydon. You'll see why this place has earned the name "Lost" as there is a huge reservoir hidden away in the mountains covering 365 acres. While the reservoir is wakeless, many people will take their boats here to fish.
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Fishing Ogden River
The Ogden River offers fantastic wildlife viewing and some of the best trout in Utah.
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Fishing Pelican Lake
Pelican Lake is the fishing pond you always wish your grandparents had on that farm in the country. It isn’t a big lake, but it is a productive fishery.
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Fishing Pineview Reservoir
The Ogden Valley is a year-round recreation utopia. At the heart of the basin lies a phenomenal record-breaking, warm-water fishery — Pineview Reservoir.
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Fishing Provo River
Provo River is Utahn’s “home water” and a top tailwater fishery for trout.
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Fishing Scofield State Park
Scofield State Park is a peaceful, scenic reservoir with an uncanny ability to produce big fish in quick fashion.
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Fishing Starvation State Park
Don’t let the name scare you away. Starvation Reservoir has top-notch fishing with plenty of walleye, bass, and even trout, to keep your belly full. Plan your trip now.
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Fishing Strawberry Reservoir
Affectionately referred to as “The Berry” by local anglers, Strawberry Reservoir is widely considered to be the top stillwater fishery in Utah — and likely one of the best in the country.
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Fishing Uinta Mountain Lakes
Close to the downtown Salt Lake area, and with upwards of 600 fishable lakes, the High Uintas is an angler’s dream fly fishing spot for escaping the city and catching a variety of fish.
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Fishing Weber River
Just a short 20 minutes northeast of Park City lies another of Northern Utah’s famous Blue Ribbon fisheries — the Weber River. The Weber humbly rises out of various lakes in the northeastern Uinta Mountains.
Southern Utah
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Fishing Boulder Mountain
From trophy trout to tiger trout and the Arctic grayling, all converge at Boulder Mountain for the catching. Enjoy the added bonus of Southern Utah beautiful scenery.
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Fishing Cedar City-Area
Remote but beautiful, this high altitude region is an excellent destination for the adventurous angler. There are three lakes and a variety of fish just waiting to jump on your line.
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Fishing Fish Lake
The largest natural mountain lake in Utah, Fish Lake sits at more than 8,800 feet of elevation, which makes for pleasant weather all summer long. Located near Richfield, Utah, the lake has everything you need for a relaxing summer getaway.
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Fishing Fremont River
Fish Lake Plateau rises a few miles north of the hoodoos, pinnacles, and arches of Capitol Reef National Park. Nested within the high desert uplift are a few stillwaters that give life to the desert valleys below — this is where the Fremont River’s story begins.
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Fishing Kolob Reservoir
The 250-acre Kolob Reservoir sits above 8,000 feet and is surrounded by aspens and evergreens. It is about as close as you can get to a real fishing experience at one of Utah’s Mighty 5® national park destinations.
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Fishing Lake Powell
Lake Powell is a world-class destination for fishing, whether it’s sport fishing or the zen-like fly fishing. The waters are clear and the fish abundant.
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Fishing Minersville Reservoir
Located about 15 miles west of Beaver and six miles east of Minersville, the Minersville Reservoir is a roughly 900-acre body of water (when full, that is) that’s home to a trout fishery, which produces some really excellent trophy-sized trout fishing.
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Fishing Otter Creek State Park
Surrounded by the Parker Mountains to the east, Monroe Mountain to the west and the Sevier Plateau to the southwest, Otter Creek State Park is a popular, yet remote, spot for boating, camping, birdwatching, riding ATVs and especially fishing.
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Fishing Panguitch Lake
Panguitch Lake is one of Utah’s most popular fishing destinations, and some of the state’s largest trout are pulled right from its waters.
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Fishing Sevier River
The East Fork of the Sevier, just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park, is a river of contrasts.
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Fishing Southwest Bass
St. George and the surrounding area are a mecca for adventure in the Southwest. But it’s not just hiking, mountain biking and motorized recreation on tap here: Enthusiastic anglers, too, will find plenty to keep them busy.
Top Fishing Basecamps
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Boulder
Boulder, Utah, is a remote, charming town full of scenic beauty. This gateway to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Capitol Reef National Park offers relaxation and outdoor adventure.
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Heber Valley
Between the destination towns of Heber and Midway, Heber Valley astonishes with its alpine splendor and access to endless outdoor recreation.
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Ogden
Ogden is an outdoor recreation mecca. It has also worked to restore its historic Art Deco architecture and buildings and blend in new development toward a charming and vibrant downtown.
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Park City
Park City is the perfect mountain town. The winter slopes were once featured in the Olympics, and in summer the mountains and nearby state parks and reservoirs transform into a hiking, mountain biking, fishing and camping mecca.
"Utah has more than 1,000 fishable lakes and numerous fishing streams."
Read the Stories
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10 Routes Chosen by Utah Cyclists
We reached out to cycling experts and enthusiasts — in some cases to people who literally wrote the book on cycling in Utah — to get a feel for some of Utah's best road cycling routes.
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15 Non-Technical Slot Canyons
You don’t have to be Spider-Man to explore some of the best slot canyons Utah has to offer. You just need to be ready for an adventure in tight spaces with huge photographic rewards
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5 Places You Can Try Glamorous Camping in Utah
Experience the fun and adventure of camping with a side of luxury.
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A Wild Bunch of Apples
A new cidery, established in the historic orchard lands of Central Utah, draws upon the paradoxical story of its namesake’s outlaw life running around with Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch.
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A Winter’s Desert: Visiting Southern Utah in the Slow Months
Experiencing the peace of canyon country in the winter is an attraction of its own.
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Across a Snow-Covered Desert
Follow this itinerary for a week-long winter road trip across the snow-covered desert of Southeastern Utah.
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Alpine Fishing Above the Red Rock Landscapes of Southern Utah
Sitting just outside of Capitol Reef National Park, this 11,000-foot peak offers views of the surrounding red canyons and desert-like region. In contrast, Boulder Mountain is heavily forested and home to more than 80 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. With an average rainfall multiple inches more than the lower regions, the area makes for some surprisingly good fishing.
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An Insider’s Guide to Torrey
Look no further than Capitol Reef National Park and nearby Torrey for lesser-traveled red-rock hikes, plenty of lodging options, satisfying dining and night sky as our ancestors knew it.
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Artisan Cheese in Red Rock Country
Two decades ago, Randy Ramsley traded his Dockers-and-tie city job for a 50 acre plot of land that he called a “Garden of Weedin” and the dream of establishing a sustainable farmstead. Now travelers from all over the globe know the small market and counter-service restaurant at Mesa Farm as a refreshing “must-do” respite seemingly plunked in the middle of nowhere on Highway 24 east of Capitol Reef National Park.
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How to Canyoneer Safely
Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned canyoneer, here are six expert tips for your next canyoneering adventure.
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Lakeside Near Torrey: Three Ways
Take a trip to this trio of Capitol Reef-area reservoirs where you can swim, fish, kayak and cool-off.
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Meet the Women Fostering the Arts in Central Utah
Women lead the way in Utah’s regional art galleries and exhibitions.
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Meet the Women Leading Utah's Food and Beverage Renaissance
When it comes to food and beverage in Utah, there are key influencers who have been the proponents of change, growth, and the role of women in Utah’s food scene.
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Mesa Farm Market
Best local shops and healthy eats near Moab and Capitol Reef. Try the goat cheese!
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Moonscapes, Marscapes and More
If you want to know what Mars looks like — then the dramatic terrain of Capitol Reef National Park and the surrounding lands are a good place to start.
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Off the Eaten Path: Dining Between the Mighty Five
Whether you’re visiting a single Utah national park or all five, take time to explore and enjoy the local food on the spectacular routes between the parks.
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Permit of Solitude in Robbers Roost
Local guide Christopher Hagedorn leads a group through Robbers Roost in Southern Utah, where wind, water and time has left a primitive maze of canyons.
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See the Fall Leaves Near Utah's National Parks
Sure, any of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks are spectacular year round — covered in snow, peppered with spring wildflowers, and baked in sunshine. But find them exponentially special when the changing fall leaves are in juxtaposition to the immaculate red rock cliffs.
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Serenity Found in Torrey and Capitol Reef’s Cathedral Valley District
Taking Southern Utah’s remote, less-traveled path in Capitol Reef's Cathedral Valley District to nurture your body, mind and spirit.
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The All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12
This is 122.863 miles (to be exact) of pure driving bliss. Welcome to Utah’s Scenic Byway 12, a designated All-American Road.
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Torrey Dining
Thanks to it’s location eight miles from Capitol Reef National Park, this remote enclave is a great place to stop for some coffee, ice cream or dinner on your way in or out of the park.
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Utah’s Pie-Ala-Road: A Sweeter Way to Explore the State
Follow the Utah Pie Trail through a scenic landscape of water-sculpted canyons and sandstone peaks and past three iconic national parks to savor the flavor at five delectable pie stops.
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Utah’s Unexpected Pit Stops
You’re doing it wrong if you think road trip pit stops are boring layovers on your way to more exciting destinations. How many of these hidden gems have you been to? Here are 11 mini-adventures to check off your list next time you’re road-tripping through Utah.
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Walking Off the Ledge Into Capitol Reef
Capitol Reef is breathtaking, but as you stare across the ledge you realize that some of the best scenery is only accessible by dropping in, 20, 50, sometimes 100 feet or more.
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Winter in Southern Utah Like a Local
Southern Utah comes alive in winter with unexpected experiences for those who are well-prepared and solitude for those who want to expand their view.
Fishing Between The Mighty 5
Anglers overlook Southern Utah as a fishing destination inappropriately assuming red rock country and fish don’t get along. Big mistake.
Highlights
- Views of Zion National Park
- Pristine Panguitch Lake
- High-elevation Boulder Mountain
- Scenic Fish Lake
