Utah’s top ten places to fish this spring
Warmer weather means better fishing
Where will you find great fishing over the next couple of months? Here are my ten favorite springtime fishing destinations in Utah:
- Pineview Reservoir
- Mantua Reservoir
- Starvation Reservoir
- Flaming Gorge
- Strawberry Reservoir
- Jordanelle Reservoir
- Willard Bay
- Yuba Reservoir
- Sand Hollow Reservoir
- Lake Powell
Where do you go when the weather warms up? Post a comment and tell us more about your favorite fishing hole.
March 23, 2009 at 10:07 am
Nice writing. You are on my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road.
Allen Taylor
March 25, 2009 at 9:38 am
You told me you did not have time to go fishing, maybe you just did’nt like the company.
You Forgot:
Ice off at Fish Lake and Joe’s Valley can be some of the best fishing for splake of the year
April 15, 2009 at 5:42 pm
what happened to the strawberry fishing report
April 16, 2009 at 7:08 am
Hello Bill,
We found a glitch in our hotpots system that was hiding this reservoir. We have resolved the issue. You should be able to see the report now. Thank you for letting us know!
April 24, 2009 at 6:35 pm
You can bet I will be fishing my heart out this spring! You can find me along the banks of the Provo river.
A great Utah Video Production company (lenzworks.com) films great videos about fishing including this one here: lenzworks.com/gallitan-river-lodge-montana
Check them out!
November 30, 2009 at 5:56 am
The Jordanelle is great, and I heard the Yuba is too. I’ll try the other ones as well. Thanks for the suggestions!
December 11, 2009 at 6:46 am
Thanks a lot for the suggestions! I just moved to Utah and already wondering where to go fishing next spring!
Already a Merry Christmas to you!
December 31, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Willard Bay is fantastic. Hopefully I will get the chance to try out some of the others this year. Thanks for sharing these spots. Happy 2010 to all
January 11, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Willard Bay provides year-round fishing for crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, walleye, wiper and catfish.
Wipers can be caught all over the reservoir – the best place though is past ‘the lightpole’ out on the dike
The Northeast corner of the resevoir is the best place to catch crappie – The water is usually high enough to provide flooded stickups, where crappies like to spawn.
Enjoy !
January 13, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Thanks for posting this article. We are moving to Utah and my husband asked me to do a little research.
January 18, 2010 at 5:38 pm
When the weather warms up I definitely go to Lake Powell.. the best place for fishing..
February 3, 2010 at 11:07 am
Personally I prefer Sand Hollow Reservoir to other places.
March 15, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Sitting here right now looking out the window at a half frozen river just waiting for a thaw. The walleyes should be thinking about spawning in another month or so… I can’t wait!
March 30, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Lake Powell… how can you beat that! I couldn’t agree more, #1 all the way. Absolutely beautiful, and great fishing. I’ll see you there.
April 15, 2010 at 4:49 am
I can’t wait for fishing this year! Lake Powell is my favorite (and my dogs too!)
April 25, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Thanks for the siggestions, Willard Bay is great. Hopefully I will get the chance to try out Lake Powell.
May 13, 2010 at 7:33 am
Strawberry Reservoir cannot be beaten in the early hours of a crisp morning – I have bagged some amazing fish here – put it further up your list!
June 5, 2010 at 1:24 pm
I’m surprised!! I knew Lake Powell as more of a house boating and water skiing lake.. I never knew it had such great fishing.. I’m headed there in August and will be bringing my pole and gear this time..
Thanks for the info!
Mercen
June 13, 2010 at 8:33 am
Yes, Lake Powell is an awesome lake to fish in especially in the warm weather…as it gets cold the bass don’t really move a lot and when its too hot bass dive to the bottom in order to cool off….
Well thanks for the tips
Chris
July 11, 2010 at 11:52 am
Great list, I fished Yuba Reservoir last year visiting my brother in law. I’ll make a note of the other spots you recommended for my trip this year!
July 24, 2010 at 3:23 am
I’ll be visiting leaving home for US within a week and I am a fishing fan. I have a mind to go fishing at least once. which of these is the best for you guys? I’ve been wanting to go to lake powell for a long time. I wasn’t able to go there the last time I was there but I think i’ll make it this time.
July 24, 2010 at 8:58 am
I prefer river fishing, how about a top 10 river destinations?
July 24, 2010 at 11:56 am
My brother took me to flaming gorge while I was out there for a visit, It is one of the nicest places I have ever fished.
July 24, 2010 at 2:10 pm
You may laugh, but it’s really fun going to the park just a few blocks from our house right in the middle of Denver. My son loves fishing there and they do stock the lakes.
July 24, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Fantastic site and great information! Just wondering if there are restrictions on bringing your pet or dog with you when camping or fishing?
July 24, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Lake Powell is fine, but the Provo River is all about fly fishing.
July 25, 2010 at 8:17 am
I prefer river and stream fishing. Some of the best trout fishing around is near the City of Salmon Idaho along the Salmon River. Anywhere along the middle fork is fantastic but my favorite is a little known tributary called the Lemhi River, near the headwaters is best but this area is mostly private so ask for permission.
July 25, 2010 at 9:34 am
Yes Lake Powell is #1 for me too. You can’t beat it as far as I’m concerned. The fishing is awesome and the scenery is spectacular.
July 25, 2010 at 10:53 am
Just had a great day up at Yuba Reservoir and got some good walleye and northern pike action. I’ll try to check out a few more of these spots next time I’m back in the great state of Utah.
July 25, 2010 at 11:36 am
I have a friend over your side of the pond that raves about Yuba.
July 25, 2010 at 2:23 pm
You got me thinking about deep fried walleye fillets now, and my mouth is watering. It’s my favorite!
July 25, 2010 at 9:32 pm
I notice there aren’t any rivers in your top ten list or am I mistaken? Is Flaming Gorge a river gorge? If so maybe my technique of sneaking into hard to get at spots with a telescopic fishing rod would work? Thanks for the inspiring list Drew – I’m off to do some more research on these spots.
July 26, 2010 at 1:14 am
I am a busy auctioneer here in the UK and love nothing more than relaxing by the water. This year we’ve decided to plan a fishing trip in the US and Utah was high on the list. After reading this and the comments I now think it’s top of the list!
Lake Powell sounds great. I have place in Cyprus too and took a job lot of gear that I procured from my auction rooms – cost me a fortune in excess baggage and in two years of beach fishing there have caught nothin!
looking forward to a big bag next spring
July 26, 2010 at 11:14 am
Weird, we’ve had 3 separate customers this past month talk about how great Lake Powell was and that they can’t wait to get back and do more camping!
July 27, 2010 at 2:45 am
Coming up from Flagstaff to Utah looking forward to some fishing
July 31, 2010 at 11:14 am
Hoping to make it out to Lake Powell sometime next spring I hear the fishing is really good there and also the scenery.
July 31, 2010 at 7:09 pm
What a great resource. I home school my children and we are always on the lookout for new fishing holes to give us an excuse for a field-trip! Thank you for taking the time to give us this list.
August 4, 2010 at 1:02 am
Yuba Reservoir all the way! I can’t think of any place I’d rather fish, but this top 10 list is a great place to start trying if the fish don’t pick up here. Hope to see some of you folks out there!
August 5, 2010 at 6:30 pm
I really enjoy fishing here in Utah and would love to see an updated version of this info.
August 5, 2010 at 9:47 pm
This spring I caught a number of black crappie in Willard Bay along the north dike near the outlet canal. It was an awesome vacation
August 10, 2010 at 2:34 am
Never fished Lake Powell, but I hear fishing is fantastic! Thanks for the info. maybe next Spring I’ll see Camping Knives and you both there!
August 10, 2010 at 5:44 am
Starvation Reservoir is the place to be. Each year walleye event is held on the reservoir. Love it. Aside from that there are plenty of places to camp. So while fishing you can enjoy camping at the same time.
August 10, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Can’t wait to go back down to Lake Powell for some fall fishing. You definitely can’t beat that- one of the best places to take my family for a vacation and get some fishing in!
August 10, 2010 at 7:47 pm
I agree as well, lake powell is awesome. One of the best places I’ve been to fish. I never want to leave
August 12, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Thanks for posting this article. We are moving to Utah and my husband asked me to do a little research.
August 13, 2010 at 8:09 am
I recently read an article in KSL stating new fish found in Utah Water. How can you call a God gift “its ugly fish”? I thought you are biologist and with a college degree, you should be more professional when naming these fishes.
Who are you to determine to call these fishes with name? Because you dont like them? All of us are striving to survive in these beautiful land and thats including these fishes. So before you make the assumption that these are “ugly fish” I suggested that you thought throughly of your words before you say it. I am just disappointed in you.
August 16, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Lake Powell is a great first choice. I really liked this list, thanks for the reference!
August 19, 2010 at 2:06 am
I remember going to Flaming Gorge with my dad a couple of years ago, what a great place. Thanks for the heads up have to ask my dad if he’s up for another trip to one of the others.
August 19, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Yuba Reservoir definitely gets my vote. We always use the Yuba State Park boat ramp to unload our boat to do some catfishing there.
I’m hoping to take my son there this year for some camping!
August 23, 2010 at 6:41 pm
I will be coming to Utah at some point on a road trip, primarily for rock climbing, but it sounds as if the fishing is pretty darn good too.
I will do a bit of research on the areas you listed above. Sounds like everyone loves Lake Powell, I will keep it top of the list.
Thanks for the information.
August 23, 2010 at 7:23 pm
I love Lake Powell, what a wonderful place!
August 24, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Lake Crescent. Even though it is catch and release, no barb, no bait, those rainbow colors and fighting ability make for a fun day.
September 2, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Thank you very much for sharing the spots. I appreciate it and I got an idea on where to go fishing next…
I am also considering some camping side trips, looking forward to see some of your suggestions as well.
September 7, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Bit disappointed to see Pineview Reservoir at number 10. I would rate it somewhere 4-6 position. Lake Powell is no doubt the best place for fishing.
September 27, 2010 at 5:45 pm
All great places you mentioned on your list. As for myself I prefer trout fishing in one of the rivers near Salt Lake City, like the Big and Small Cottonwood creeks.
September 27, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Lake Powell is without a doubt one of the best fishing places that I yet have to see. My friend Mikey told me about it several years ago and I always wanted to see it. I live closest to Willard Bay and that is my main fishing destination….Perhaps I will go to Lake Powell next year… I am really considering it.
October 5, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Are the best places still the same as back in 2009? Lake Powell is one of the best fishing places I know, but I have no experience with the rest and I’d like to try them.
October 6, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Lake Powell should be on the top of the list. But then again, I’ve never had the opportunity to fish elsewhere.
October 7, 2010 at 2:48 pm
I think the Provo river, and lake Powell, are my 2 favorite destinations. I am looking to add a few new spots, and will check out some of the places that others have mentioned.
October 13, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Been to Lake Powell 1 time back 02… wonderful place.. Trolled at 125 ft and caught into some nice trout on the south end of the lake… Reminded me a little of a small lake I used to go to as a kid up southeast of Santa Barbara CA called Lake Cachuma… ahhh the memories… small lake.. but great fishing.. Haven’t been in years… anyways enough of the reminiscing LOL>>
Thanks for the post..
Jax
October 18, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Who doesn’t love Lake Powell. But I’ve always enjoyed ice fishing in Idaho. Not exactly where we go, my husband does the driving. Cold but fun. A totally different experience than fishing in the river. Thanks for all the good fishing hole ideas.
April 9, 2011 at 8:18 am
hey drew, its good to see another fishing enthusiast give out information like this. I’ve only been to Utah once so I went to the Strawberry Reservoir in Wasatch County after my brother in law recommended it. Great trout there! I look forward to trying a few on your list next time I’m in Utah (which should be soon I hope).
April 11, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Hoping to make it out to Lake Powell sometime next spring I hear the fishing is really good there and also the scenery.
May 6, 2011 at 2:06 am
Thanks for the info. If I had time I surely would go to those places you mention. I wish they were nearer to our apartment.
May 26, 2011 at 3:48 am
They sound like a great place to go visit. Unfortunately, I am too far away to visit them.
Mantua Reservoir looks amazing.
Enjoy these gems. It would be a shame not to do so!
Kind regards,
John Francis
May 27, 2011 at 7:16 am
I love Willard Bay. It offers great opportunities beyond fishing and boating!
May 27, 2011 at 7:43 am
We have wanted to visit Utah so badly for the last 3 years! We are collecting research, and this is so helpful.
May 27, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Wow! Thanks for posting this. For people who loves fishing would definitely go to those places you mentioned to catch some big fish. Lol. I would suggest this to my friends as well. Thanks for the idea.
Cody Felton
May 28, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Great information on fishing Utah. Will pass onto my readers. They will love it.
June 5, 2011 at 7:37 pm
Great list! A little disappointed to see Sand Hollow Reservoir at the second spot!
June 14, 2011 at 9:35 pm
I’m surprised!! I knew Lake Powell as more of a house boating and water skiing lake. I never knew it had great fishing.. I’m headed there in September and will be bringing my gear this time..
Thanks for the info!
June 16, 2011 at 3:43 pm
I have to say Willard Bay all the way. I went up there with my cousin and have the time of my life. Also the people in Ogden are the best!
June 27, 2011 at 10:44 pm
Yuba is a great place for fishing.I caught many fish there. Strawberry Reservoir was less kind to me.
July 10, 2011 at 3:44 pm
I’m another one who will be visiting lake powell later this year, we were planning to do some fishing and this article gets me a bit more excited about it now
August 8, 2011 at 6:29 pm
My list basically matches yours but I would probably put Willard Bay at the top rather than Lake Powell.
August 25, 2011 at 6:20 am
The salmon is good protein food that aid in healing, so I recommend fishing as relaxing and as the subject of healthy eating.
September 28, 2011 at 12:57 pm
I’m in upstate SC and really love fishing in the Saluda River for rainbow trout. I even caught a small mouthed bass recently and was surprised at how big it was.
October 10, 2011 at 2:08 pm
thank you so much, I am also a fisher and I love fishing so much. Thanks for your information, i have friends living in Utah, maybe i’ll see him and we can go fishing together following your direction.
November 14, 2011 at 6:52 pm
Glad to see your article, I also like fishing, but my technique is not very good, hope to see you fishing techniques to share.
December 1, 2011 at 6:48 pm
Great article. I live in Australia and the fishing is good here and of course our seasons are opposite so we are just into the second day of summer. Our best fishing spots are acutally the ocean.
Jamie
December 20, 2011 at 10:42 pm
Great stuff. My Lake Powell pics taken in 2006 don’t do the lake justice. I’ll have to get back there to see (and fish) the lake again soon.
March 12, 2013 at 9:51 pm
To me the location doesn’t really matter where you fish. It is more about the outdoors, nature and relaxing. During a holiday it is about escaping everything the concrete jungle.
May 23, 2013 at 3:35 am
Thank you for this effort before this entry with a thinner wishes luck
May 30, 2013 at 4:13 am
A couple of us from the River Tees are traveling to Utah in August and are mad fisherman. Is there anywhere that offers salmon fishing?
Please visit http://www.rivertees.co.uk to have a look at the fishing available on our local river
June 18, 2013 at 12:17 pm
Moving to Ogden pretty soon, which of these are close to there?
Thanks,
David