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Update
Beginning April 17, 2020, Utah's State Parks will be open to all visitors, except those under local health order restrictions. Refer to https://coronavirus.utah.gov/special-orders/ for local orders and directives.
Hunting and fishing in Utah during COVID-19
Have hunting and fishing plans this spring? Before you take a trip to enjoy the outdoors, please check with the appropriate land-management agency and with the county. Many of Utah's county health departments and law enforcement agencies currently have rules and restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and those may affect your ability to visit, camp or recreate in the area.
Also, based on Gov. Gary Herbert's directive on March 27, if you wish to go fishing or enjoy other wildlife-related recreation in a Utah State Park, you may only visit parks in the county where you reside. (Update 4/17: As stated above, the restriction to visit parks only in the county where you reside has been lifted.) To find fishing ponds and lakes near you, visit the DWR website.
We realize that many of you are excited about hunting and fishing in other parts of the state, and there will be plenty of time to enjoy those activities when our state and local officials give us the green light to do so. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!
Keep in mind
As you plan to hunt, fish and get outdoors this spring, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check with the county to see about any directives or restrictions specific to the area.
- Refunds will not be given for 365-day fishing and hunting licenses.
- Any requests for hunting permit refunds will be logged, and we will make decisions on a case-by-case basis at a later date, depending on how the COVID-19 situation develops. Call your local DWR office to make these requests and for assistance with any further questions.
- Find up-to-date information on Utah's coronavirus website.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to check our website for the latest news.
Frequently Asked Questions
▶ Q: Is fishing in Utah closed?
A: No, fishing is not closed. However, if you plan to fish, you need to check with the appropriate land-management agency and county where each waterbody is located. Many county health departments and law enforcement agencies currently have rules and restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and those may affect your ability to visit, camp or fish in the area.
State and local directives can change at any time, so be sure to check the official coronavirus website before you head out.
View the current list of state parks that may have restrictions.
▶ Q: I live in ____ but I want to fish at ____. Will I get a ticket?
A: Before you head out to fish, you need to check with the appropriate land-management agency and county where each waterbody is located. Many county health departments and law enforcement agencies currently have rules and restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and those may affect your ability to visit, camp or fish in the area. DWR and other law enforcement agencies appreciate the public following these orders and directives and are promoting voluntary compliance.
State and local directives can change at any time, so be sure to check the official coronavirus website before you head out.
View the current list of state parks that may have restrictions.
▶ Q: How will you enforce not allowing people from outside counties to fish state parks?
A: Regarding enforcement: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers have been asked to help in the enforcement of several county and state health orders and directives that have been issued due to concerns with COVID-19. DWR conservation officers have assisted Utah State Parks officials with informing and advising visitors of the current health directives. DWR and other law enforcement agencies appreciate the public following these orders and directives, and are promoting voluntary compliance.
For specific questions on the legality of a restriction, please reach out to the entity that issued the restriction. State and county directives and orders can be found on the official coronavirus website.
View the current list of state parks that may have restrictions.
▶ Q: Is hunting in Utah closed?
A: No, hunting is not closed. However, if you plan to hunt, you must check with the appropriate land-management agency and county. Many county health departments and law enforcement agencies currently have rules and restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and those may affect your ability to visit, camp or hunt in the area.
State and local directives can change at any time, so be sure to check the official coronavirus website before you head out.
View the current list of state parks that may have restrictions.
▶ Q: I live in ____ but I have a ____ hunting permit. Will I get a ticket if I go hunting?
A: Before you go hunting, you need to check with the appropriate land-management agency and county. Many county health departments and law enforcement agencies currently have rules and restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and those may affect your ability to visit, camp or fish in the area. DWR and other law enforcement agencies appreciate the public following these orders and directives and are promoting voluntary compliance.
State and local directives can change at any time, so be sure to check the official coronavirus website before you head out.
If you're planning on hunting at a state park, view this map of the parks to learn of any COVID-19 related restrictions that may apply. Also, check this table to see if it's legal to hunt at that state park.
▶ Q: Will the COVID-19 pandemic delay the big game application results?
A: We don't expect there to be any delays to the big game permit drawing results. Results will be available by email on or before May 29, 2020.
▶ Q: Are the DWR offices closed?
A: No. DWR offices are still open with limited staff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, we recommend customers call the nearest DWR office with questions and buy hunting or fishing licenses online.
If you need to check in a harvested bear, please call the nearest DWR office to make an appointment.
▶ Q: What should I do if my hunting unit is in an area where recreation is closed to nonresidents?
A: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected all of our lives this year, there are currently no plans to close any of Utah's 2020 big game hunts. However, there are federal, state and local regulations beyond our control, and we have no way to know what the impacts may be this fall.
The Utah Wildlife Board met in April 2020 to pass rule changes that may provide some affected hunters (depending on the type of permit) flexibility in light of the pandemic. You can learn about those options — and stay informed about any other pandemic-related changes — by checking this page for updates.
We will also use email and our social media channels to communicate changes that may affect you and your hunt. Visit the Stay connected page to sign up for email updates and to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
