OUTDOORS + RECREATION

Great fishing spots to check out in Utah

May 18, 2023, 9:00 PM

Annually, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources restocks local waterbodies around the state with ...

A person fly-fishing is pictured. Ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, the Utah Division of Natural Resources says there are several bodies of water worth checking out if you are wanting to go fishing. (Photo credit: Morgan Jacobsen/Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.)

(Photo credit: Morgan Jacobsen/Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.)

SALT LAKE CITY — With the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend, many people will be turning their attention to outdoor activities, including fishing.

The Utah Division of Natural Resources says there are a number of fishing spots around the state that are worth checking out. The DNR also says conditions are usually pretty good this time of year. 

Fishing in Southern Utah

  • Joes Valley Reservoir (Emery County) – A great fishing hole if you are into fishing for trophy tiger muskie. The reservoir also has splate, rainbow  and cutthroat trout. The DNR reports that success has been had both on shore or in a boat.
  • Lake Powell (Garfield, Kane and San Juan counties) – At this time of year, this has been typically good success for striped bass, walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass. 
  • Fish Lake (Sevier County) – The DNR says Fish Lake offers great fishing opportunities, mostly from a boat. In the early summer months, anglers can expect to have success for rainbow trout, kokanee salmon and yellow perch.

Northern Utah

  • Strawberry Reservoir (Wasatch County) – Roughly 90 minutes from Salt Lake City, anglers will find the fishing to be pretty consistent all summer for cutthroat and rainbow trout along with kokanee salmon, according to the DNR.
  • Middle Provo River (Wasatch County) – This is an ideal close-to-home fishing spot for individuals along the Wasatch Front. The DNR says June and the early part of July is the best time to fish this body of water.
  • Bear Lake (Rich County) – The DNR says there are plenty of areas to fish here. This time of the year, fishermen will be catching cutthroat trout. Additionally, the DNR says most success will be from a boat.
  • Long Park Reservoir (Dagget County) – Whether you fish from the shore or from a boat, the DNR says you should expect a high catch rate at this destination. This time of year, rainbow trout and brook trout are being caught.
  • Starvation Reservoir (Duchesne County) – The DNR says rainbow trout over 20 inches are “relatively abundant” at this location. However, most success is on a boat.
  • Pelican Lake (Uintah County) – Great bass fishing from a boat makes this a popular location in the northeastern portion of the state. 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Outdoors + Recreation

A mountain biker rides over part of the Slickrock Trial outside of Moab, Utah with the La Salle Mou...

Mariah Maynes

BLM to consider e-bike allowance on some Moab mountain biking trails

MOAB, Utah – On Oct. 1, the Bureau of Land Management opened a public scoping period to explore the allowance of e-bikes on some Moab mountain biking trails.  A BLM press release said the Moab Field Office oversees over 190 miles of non-motorized mountain biking trails. The scoping period will help the office determine if […]

8 hours ago

An undated photograph of a black bear in the wild....

Britt Johnson

Bear sightings nearly double in 2024

Last year, the DWR reported 50 bear sightings in Utah. This year, there were 90. Officials warn campers and hunters to take precautions.

1 day ago

Fall is in Utah, which means it's time for those fall colored drives....

Kennedy Camarena

Here are some Utah scenic fall drives you can take to see the leaves

Utah's fall season has just begun, but it won't be long until those bright colors on the trees turn dull and the leaves fall off.

2 days ago

State leaders are preparing for Utah tourism to explode with the 2034 Winter Olympics....

Mitchell von Puttkammer

Looking to the future: Utah’s 2034 Winter Olympics

Utah will officially host the 2034 Winter Olympics, and many have questions about how the state will accommodate the global event in 10 years.

3 days ago

Vail Resorts announced a two-year transformation plan that will affect all 42 resorts under the com...

Britt Johnson

Big changes coming to Vail Resorts, owner of Park City Mountain Resort

Vail Resorts announced a two-year transformation plan that will affect all 42 resorts under the company's ownership.

4 days ago

A deer looks underfed after contracting chronic wasting disease. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resourc...

Mariah Maynes

DWR advises hunters check deer meat for chronic wasting disease

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources advised hunters to have deer and elk harvested from certain locations tested for chronic wasting disease.

6 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Tax Harassment...

Law Offices of Jordan F. Wilcox

Feeling intimidated by the IRS? 6 Essential facts you should know.

If you are receiving threatening letters and wage garnishments from the IRS, hiring an attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.

Photo courtesy of Nightmare on 13th...

Nightmare on 13th

Here’s why Nightmare on 13th is the best haunted house in Utah

Fall brings Halloween, and Halloween brings Haunted Houses. There’s no better Haunted House than Nightmare on 13th – here’s why!

USA, Utah, Bear Lake. The deep blue of Utah's Bear Lake contrasts with autumn foliage....

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

Experience Bear Lake’s all-year activities

We break down Bear Lake's four-season recreational offerings so the whole family can enjoy their time there any time of the year.

Water park with a vintage VW bug in front with a surfboard on top...

Cowabunga Bay

Spend the last days of summer at Cowabunga Bay! 

Cowabunga Bay is one of Utah's premier water parks that features water slides, a lazy river, a kids' cove, and a beach with lounge chairs.

A young woman smiles while reading the menu at a lakeside restaurant, enjoying the panoramic view o...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best restaurants to try in Bear Lake

Save this guide to the best restaurants in Bear Lake when you need to find a place to dine during your next visit.

Female leg stepping on weigh scales. Healthy lifestyle, food and sport concept....

Health Utah

Sustainable weight loss: the science-backed way to achieve it

Learn more about Debbie's weight loss journey with Health Utah, who have a unique weight loss philosophy for success.

Great fishing spots to check out in Utah