Conditions last updated: 11/17/2009

Kolob Reservoir

Rating: Good

Conditions: Good fishing reported with lures and streamers. Other fly patterns should also work well.

Details

• Location: Washington County
• Directions: Head east from the town of Virgin on SR-9 to the turnoff to Kolob Road, continue north on Kolob Road for 23 miles
• Type: Blue Ribbon
• Size: 250 acres
• Elevation: 8,118 feet
• Hours: No restrictions
• Likely catch: Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout
• Possible catch:
• Regulations: Artificial flies and lures only. Limit 1 trout over 18 inches; all other trout must be immediately released. Tributaries are closed to fishing Jan. 1 to the second Saturday in July. See the Fishing Guidebook for more information.
• Site amenities: Gravel launch ramp, restrooms
• Handicap access:
• Site description: Kolob Reservoir is located in the headwaters of the Virgin River drainage. The reservoir is managed by the Washington County Water Conservancy District. Although there is no formal conservation pool for sport fishery purposes at the reservoir, the Conservancy District has generally maintained the reservoir at levels sufficient to maintain a sport fishery, and has recently constructed facilities to accommodate recreational use.

  The reservoir is a popular fishing destination for both local residents and non-residents. In the past, the sport fishery was managed with annual stockings of catchable-size and fingerling rainbow trout as well as fingerling hybrid cutthroat trout and brook trout. Besides stocking, an undetermined amount of natural recruitment of cutthroat trout and rainbow trout contributes to the fishery. Golden shiners and crayfish are also present.

  Kolob Reservoir was drained in summer of 1996 to repair the outlet. Following the draining, a local sportsmen's group requested a regulations change to promote a sport fishery. The new sport fish management plan was developed in 1997 with input from the Conservancy District, cabin owners in the area and other interested members of the public. The new plan was designed to satisfy the demand for more quality-type sport fisheries, decrease management costs and allow a more efficient use of hatchery fish at other waters. The new plan and fishing regulations was approved and implemented in 1998.

  Kolob Reservoir is generally accessible by vehicles from early April through December. Access from the south (through the town of Virgin) is generally possible two to three weeks earlier than from the north (Cedar Canyon).

  There is usually fast fishing as soon as the ice comes off for larger trout cruising the rocky points and dam looking for spawning areas. Wooly bugger patterns are popular with flyfishers using float tubes. Shore anglers do well with spinning gear and a variety of lures or jigs.

  By late June, many fish move out deeper and flyfishers using sinking lines with bugger, nymph or emerger patterns have success. Hatches also start with phenomenal surface activity at times. Boat anglers have success trolling with a variety of lures.

  Based on past surveys, the fastest fishing for the year occurs in October. Crayfish imitations are effective all year, but can be particularly deadly in the fall.

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