Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Location and description

Flaming Gorge Reservoir, elevation 6040 feet and 90 miles long, is located in Utah's northeast corner, roughly 40 miles north of Vernal, UT on Highway 191 or about 30 miles south of I-80 in Green River, WY.

Game fish species and methods

Sportfish include rainbow, lake and brown trout, kokanee salmon, and smallmouth bass. As of 2003, Flaming Gorge held the state angling records for brown, lake and rainbow trout; the catch-and-release record Kokanee; and the archery smallmouth bass record. Recently, Green River fishing guides created a new fishery for large common carp.

Most anglers prefer boats to avoid steep canyon walls. Shore anglers can fish near the boat ramps and the dam.

For rainbow trout, try a nightcrawler (worm)/marshmallow combination, store-bought baits or casting lures and jigs. Also try trolling small spoons, crankbaits, or a popgear/worm combination. Troll flatfish, rapalas or a popgear/minnow combination on or near the bottom using steel lines or downriggers for lake trout. Jigging over structure and along drop-offs using large jigs or spoons, perhaps tipped with a minnow or sucker meat also works.

For kokanee salmon, try small fluorescent lures, with or without a flasher, or jigging small spoons. A rubber snubber helps keep lures from being torn from the fish's mouth when it hits.

Smallmouth bass are easily caught from shore or boats during the warmer months. Try casting jigs and lures with crayfish colors: browns and coppers mixed with green, into the rocky shores and along canyon walls.

Access and facilities

Numerous boat ramps are available on all sides of the reservoir. The towns of Dutch John and Manila, and the Cedar Springs, Lucerne and Buckboard marinas offer food, lodging, boat rentals, showers and other amenities. Campers can find sites at numerous Forest Service and private