Utah is a trout state through and through, but it has a lot more going on than most people realize. The high-mountain lakes and streams in the Wasatch and Uinta ranges hold wild cutthroat, brook, and rainbow trout in some of the most stunning scenery in the West. The big reservoirs - Flaming Gorge, Lake Powell, and Strawberry - offer trophy trout and warm-water species that rival anything in the region. Utah's native Bonneville cutthroat trout is making a comeback thanks to aggressive conservation, giving anglers a chance to catch a truly unique fish. If you like fishing in big landscapes with clear water, Utah is hard to beat.
Fishing License in Utah
Anyone 12 or older needs a fishing license to fish in Utah. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) sells licenses online, at license agents, and at DWR offices across the state.
| License Type | Cost | Valid For |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual | $34 | 1 year |
| Non-Resident Annual | $75 | 1 year |
| 1-Day (Resident or Non-Resident) | $12 | 1 day |
| 7-Day Non-Resident | $40 | 7 days |
| Youth (12-13 Resident) | $5 | 1 year |
| Youth (Under 12) | Free | N/A |
| Second Rod Permit | $15 | 1 year |
Age exemptions: Children under 12 fish free in Utah. Youth ages 12-13 get a discounted license. There is no senior discount, but lifetime licenses are available.
Special permits: A second rod permit allows you to fish with two poles simultaneously. Separate permits are required for spearfishing in designated waters. No additional trout stamp is needed - your standard license covers all species.
Buy your license or check current fees on the Utah DWR website.
Top 10 Fishing Spots in Utah
From massive reservoirs in red rock country to alpine lakes above timberline, these are Utah's best fishing destinations.
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Download Free GuidePopular Fish Species in Utah
Trout dominate Utah fishing, but warm-water species are expanding in the lower-elevation reservoirs. Here is what you will find.
| Species | Season | Size Limit | Bag Limit | Best Technique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Year-round | None | 4/day | PowerBait, spinners, fly fishing |
| Brown Trout | Year-round | 15" | 2/day | Streamers, Rapalas, nymphs |
| Cutthroat Trout | Year-round | 15" | 2/day | Dry flies, small spinners, worms |
| Lake Trout | Year-round | None | 4/day | Trolling, jigging, downriggers |
| Largemouth Bass | Year-round | 12" | 6/day | Plastic worms, crankbaits, jigs |
| Walleye | Year-round | 15" | 6/day | Jig and crawler, trolling |
| Kokanee Salmon | Year-round | None | 4/day | Trolling with small spinners, corn |
| Smallmouth Bass | Year-round | None | 10/day | Tubes, drop shot, crankbaits |
Seasonal Fishing Calendar
Utah's high elevation means a shorter warm-water season but excellent cold-water fishing year-round. Here is the breakdown.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Brown Trout | - | - | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | - |
| Cutthroat Trout | - | - | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | - | - |
| Largemouth Bass | - | - | - | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Good | - | - |
| Walleye | - | - | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | - | - | Good | Peak | Good | - |
| Lake Trout | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
Fishing Regulations in Utah
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources sets regulations that vary significantly by body of water. Here are the statewide basics.
- Fishing hours: Legal fishing is allowed 24 hours a day in Utah. No closed hours on any public water.
- Rod limit: One pole per angler unless you purchase a second rod permit ($15). Ice fishing allows up to 2 lines with the standard license.
- Live bait: Live bait is legal in many waters but prohibited in others - check the proclamation for each body of water. Using live fish as bait is illegal statewide to prevent spreading invasive species.
- Catch and release: Many blue-ribbon streams and lakes have special catch-and-release or reduced-limit regulations. The Provo River middle section is artificials-only, catch-and-release for brown trout.
- Invasive species: Decontamination of boats is required when moving between waters. This is strictly enforced - failing to stop at a decontamination station can result in a fine.
- Cutthroat conservation: Bonneville cutthroat trout are native and have special protections in designated waters. Check regulations before keeping any cutthroat.
Download the current fishing proclamation from the Utah DWR guidebooks page.
Tips for Fishing in Utah
Altitude matters
Utah's fishing waters range from 3,000 to over 11,000 feet in elevation. High-mountain lakes do not ice off until late June or even July, while low-elevation reservoirs like Lake Powell fish well year-round. Plan your trips around elevation - the same species can peak months apart depending on where you fish.
Ice fishing is huge here
Utah's cold winters create excellent ice fishing opportunities. Strawberry Reservoir, Bear Lake, and Deer Creek all produce great catches through the ice from December through March. Rainbow trout, cutthroat, and perch are the primary targets. Portable shelters and fish finders make a big difference in success rates.
Chase the cicada hatch on the Green
Every few years, a major cicada hatch on the Green River below Flaming Gorge produces some of the best dry fly fishing in the West. Big brown trout that normally stick to the bottom come to the surface to eat cicadas, and 20-inch fish on dry flies become the norm. Check hatch reports from local fly shops if you want to time this event.
Explore the Uintas on foot
The best fishing in the Uinta Mountains requires a hike - sometimes a serious one. Lakes within a mile of the trailhead get heavy pressure, but hike three to five miles in and you will find lakes where trout eat anything you throw. Pack light - a spinning rod with small spinners and a handful of flies is all you need. July through September is the window.
Fish Lake Powell in spring
Lake Powell's smallmouth bass fishing peaks in April and May when fish move shallow to spawn on rocky flats. Sight-fishing for bedding smallmouth in the clear canyon water is an incredible experience. Drop-shot rigs and tubes in natural colors work best. The striped bass boils start in June and continue through summer.
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