Duchesne River | Jeremiah Watt

Fishing

Cool streams descend from rugged snowcapped mountains, feeding shimmering lakes or pausing in reservoirs where trout reach trophy proportions. Throughout the year anglers gear up in pursuit of experiences on waters that measure up to their passion. In fact, Utah has more than 1,000 fishable lakes and numerous fishing streams.

Saturday, June 8, 2024, marks Free Fishing Day in Utah, which allows anyone to fish at any public waterbody without a fishing license. It makes for a great day to get the family out and introduce kids to the long treasured pastime.

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Fishing in Utah

Northern Utah

Southern Utah

Top Fishing Basecamps

Planning Resources

Fishing Regulations

You don’t need to be an expert or have expensive gear to enjoy fishing in Utah, but you do need a fishing license. Visit the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website for information about purchasing a license.

Fishing with bait is allowed at most Utah fisheries, but there are some special regulations to note in certain locations. Make sure to check for special regulations on waters you plan to fish during a trip.

Fishing Reports

The Division of Wildlife Resources also maintains an interactive map showing the latest fishing report for all of Utah's fisheries, including types of fish you can catch and directions to each location. The map is filterable or you can zoom out and evaluate rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs near you or your vacation plans.

See the DWR fishing report

"Utah has more than 1,000 fishable lakes and numerous fishing streams."

Go With a Guide

Whether you’re picking up a pole for the very first time or you’re an experienced angler hungry to try a new fishing hole, one of the most rewarding ways to see Utah’s rivers and lakes is by going with a guide. Guides and outfitters allow you to deeply experience the outdoors, without any planning or wayfinding stressors. They also know Utah’s lands intimately, offer local perspectives and geological insights, and make sure your trip follows the ethic of Forever Mighty.

Utah Cutthroat Slam

Utah is home to four distinct subspecies of cutthroat trout — the Bonneville, Bear River, Yellowstone and Colorado River. Join the Utah Cutthroat Slam and try to catch, photograph and release each of the four subspecies in their native waters. It's a great way to have an angling adventure and support our native trout legacy. (Read: In Search of the Yellowstone Cutthroat)

Pursue 18 species in 12 states (including three in Utah) as part of the Western Native Trout Challenge, a multi-state program hosted by the Western Native Trout Initiative.