The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, in partnership with Vernal's The Fox 98.5 FM radio station, holds this annual family-friendly fishing contest to encourage anglers — local and far — to fish at designated Uintah Basin waterbodies. Grab your fishing tackle, make sure to bring along your valid Utah fishing or combination license (for anglers aged 12 and older) and get outside for a fun day on the water. You could catch one of the hundreds of tagged rainbow trout stocked in the Uintah Basin!

Where to catch tagged contest fish

Fish at these three lakes socked in 2024 with tagged fish:

• Moon Lake (Duchesne County)
• Paradise Park Reservoir (Uintah County)
• Long Park Reservoir (Daggett County)

What to do if you catch a tagged fish

This year, the trout are tagged with a yellow tag that says '2024 DWR WIN' with a corresponding number from 001-550.

• Tags can be registered and turned in starting at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 23 through Aug. 6, 11:59 p.m.
• You must have possession of the physical yellow tag to win. You can catch-and-keep trout with the tag or catch-and-release tagged trout. If you choose catch-and-release fishing, please swiftly pull or clip the tag from the trout, then release it.
• Register for the contest. Register here on this Eventbrite page to enter your contest registration information; once registered for the contest, you'll be prompted to print out or download the "tagged fish registration ticket," which must accompany all tags submitted.*

*If you do not have a printer, call the Vernal DWR office at 435-781-9453 (or visit during office hours), and staff will assist you with getting your tag(s) registered. Once tags and registration tickets are received, a confirmation email will be sent from the DWR to the registered party's email address confirming your entry for the grand prize finale.

How to register your tag

All tags registered by midnight on Aug. 6 are automatically entered for the 'Alive After Five' grand finale prize drawing! The prize drawing will occur on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at the Uintah County Library park (204 E. 100 North, Vernal).

You must be present to win OR register an alternative person to represent you at the grand prize drawing.

1. If you haven't already, register here on this Eventbrite page to enter your contest registration information; once registered for the contest, you'll be prompted to print out or download the "tagged fish registration ticket" which must accompany all tags submitted.*
2. Submit your tagged fish registration ticket and physically turn in the yellow tag for verification. Important: Make sure your tag is secured to the registration ticket somehow — use staples, tape or place them in a ziplock bag.
3. There are several ways you can turn in your tag and registration:

• Option 1 – Mail in your tagged fish registration ticket and attached yellow tag (both must be included). Attn: Fishing with the Fox contest, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 318 N. Vernal Ave., Vernal, UT 84078
• Option 2 – Drop off your tagged fish registration ticket and attached yellow tag (both must be included). Stop by the Vernal DWR office lobby during office hours (M-F, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) or Stewart’s Ace (245 US-40, Roosevelt) gun counter and drop off your tagged fish registration ticket and attached yellow tag in a designated "Fishing with the Fox" dropbox. Remember to make sure your tag is firmly secured somehow — by staples, tape or sealed in a ziplock bag.
• Option 3 – Email your fish registration ticket and then mail or bring in your yellow tag.
• • Screenshot or download your completed fish registration ticket and email it to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., then
  • mail the numbered yellow tag (along with your name, phone number and email address) to the Vernal DWR office — Attn: Fishing with the Fox contest, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 318 N. Vernal Ave., Vernal, UT 84078
  • or turn in your yellow tag (along with your name and email address) at the Vernal DWR office lobby during office hours (M-F, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)

The deadline to register your tag is August 6, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

*If you do not have a printer, call the Vernal DWR office at 435-781-9453 (or visit during office hours), and staff will assist you with getting your tag(s) registered. Once tags and registration tickets are received, a confirmation email will be sent from the DWR to the registered party's email address confirming your entry for the grand prize finale.

Prizes and awards

Join us Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 from 6–8 p.m. for the prize drawing!

All tags registered are automatically entered for the 'Alive After Five' grand finale prize drawing! The prize drawing will occur on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at the Uintah County Library park (204 E. 100 North, Vernal).

You must be present to win OR register an alternative person to represent you at the grand prize drawing.

Even if you don't catch a tagged fish, going fishing at one of the two designated locations will get you a stamp in the 2024 Uintah County Dinosaurland Passport to Summer!

All state fishing rules and regulations apply

Reminder: Utah fishing rules and regulations apply throughout the contest.

• You must possess a valid Utah fishing or combination license if you are aged 12 or older. Children ages 12-17 get a discounted rate on their license. You may purchase or renew your Utah fishing license at any DWR office, online or at a licensed vendor.
• All bag and possession limits apply; please see the current Utah Fishing Guidebook for details.
• See the DWR website for more information on fishing regulations, and download the Utah Hunting and Fishing app to store your license on your mobile device.
• Check on conditions, regulations, fishing reports and emergency closures specific to any Utah waterbody by visiting the Fish Utah interactive map.

Thank you to participating sponsors

• Wildlife Conservation Foundation
• Basin Recycling
• Heaton Tire and Wheel
• Mort's Car Wash
• Red Mountain Cycle
• Stewart's Marketplace/Ace Hardware
• The Fox 98.5 radio station
• Special Service District 1 - The Recreation Center
• Basin Sports

Please watch your email and follow the DWR on social media for the latest updates.

Directions to participating waterbodies:

Moon Lake Reservoir: From Duchesne, take State Hwy 87 north for 19 miles. Turn north onto to 20780 W towards Mountain Home, then continue north 13 miles to the Forest Boundary and Forest Road 131. Follow road 131 for 5 miles to the lake. The lake is about 37 miles from Duchesne on paved roads - although some spots have potholes.

Long Park Reservoir: From Manila, at the intersection UT 43 and UT 44; turn south on UT 44. Drive 13 miles to the upper (second) road to Sheep Creek Geological Loop. Turn right onto the Loop, drive 2 miles to FS 221 and drive to FS 014. Turn north for .6 miles to boat launch area.

From Vernal, turn north on US 191. Drive 34.8 miles to Greendale Junction. Continue onto UT 44. Drive 14.7 miles to the upper (first) road to Sheep Creek Geological Loop. Turn left onto the Loop, drive 2 miles to FS 221 and drive to FS014. Turn north for .6 miles to boat launch area.

Paradise Park Reservoir: From Vernal, travel 16.5 miles west on UT 121. Go 15.25 miles north on county road, then 8.75 miles north on Forest Road 104.

Contact us

For more information about this event, please contact the DWR event organizers:

Anthony Christianson at 435-828-0008 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tonya Kieffer-Selby at 801-995-2972 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This event will be presented in English and Spanish.

Join the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources staff and local anglers for a bass fishing seminar focused on tips to succeed at local reservoirs! Local biologists and TJ Haitt, a passionate local angler, will cover the basics of bass fishing and help you prepare for catching fish in northeastern Utah’s waters. Young anglers are encouraged to attend as well to get "hooked" on bass fishing!

This event will be presented in English and Spanish with a translator present to assist as needed.

What to expect:

• This event will be held in the DWR Northeastern Region conference room.
• Information on the basics of bass fishing, including recommended equipment, lure selection and fishing techniques.
• A focus on bass fishing in northeastern Utah reservoirs.
• All ages are welcome! Youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Event Contact:

Anthony Christianson at 435-828-0008 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

El taller se presentará en inglés y en español.

¡Únase al personal de la División de Recursos de Vida Silvestre de Utah (Division of Wildlife Resources, DWR) y a los pescadores locales para un seminario de pesca de lobina con consejos para tener éxito en los embalses locales! Los biólogos locales y TJ Haitt, un apasionado pescador local, cubrirán los conceptos básicos de la pesca de lobina y lo ayudarán a prepararse para pescar en las aguas del noreste de Utah. ¡Los pescadores jóvenes están especialmente invitados a asistir y a "engancharse" en la pesca de lobina!

Este evento se presentará en inglés y en español con un traductor presente para ayudar según sea necesario.

Qué esperar:

● Este evento se llevará a cabo en la sala de conferencias de la DWR de la Región Noreste.

● Se ofrecerá información sobre los conceptos básicos de la pesca de lobina, incluido el equipo recomendado, la selección de señuelos y las técnicas de pesca.

● Nos centraremos en la pesca de lobina en los embalses del noreste de Utah.

● ¡Todas las edades son bienvenidas! Los jóvenes menores de 16 años deberán estar acompañados por un adulto.

Contacto del evento:

Anthony Christianson al 435-828-0008 o a This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Join us for our annual Osprey Watch! This free event will be held July 6 next to the parking lot at the Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center. Viewing will run from 9 a.m. to noon. The visitor center is located at the south end of Flaming Gorge Reservoir in northeastern Utah.

What to expect

• You'll have a high chance of sighting osprey using the spotting scopes and binoculars provided, but we encourage you to bring your own!
• Our biologists will be on hand to answer questions and identify osprey and other wildlife.
• Educational displays will be available so you can learn more about these unusual fish-eating birds.

What to bring

• We suggest bringing a lunch/snacks and sunscreen.
• Binoculars or a scope (we will have some provided).

See you there!

Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center info:

The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information on scheduling tours of the dam, please call the visitor center: 435-885-3135.

Event contacts

Tonya Kieffer-Selby at 801-995-2972 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Anthony Christianson at 435-828-0008 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..