Please note that the fishing regulations for Wyoming's portion of Flaming Gorge Reservoir changed Oct. 1, 2024. To learn more, click here.
Fishing at Flaming Gorge
A summary of the different rules in Utah and Wyoming
The Utah Wildlife Board approved regulations changes applying to the Utah side of this waterbody — which in most cases will align with Wyoming — that will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. Through Dec. 31, 2024 anglers should continue to consult the 2024 Utah Fishing Guidebook when fishing in Utah's portion of Flaming Gorge.
The following tables summarize the different fishing regulations in the Utah and Wyoming portions of Flaming Gorge, as of Oct. 1, 2024. Regulations that are identical are not shown.
| Daily creel limits | Wyoming | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth bass | Must be returned to the water immediately | Three fish |
| Possession limits and closures | Wyoming | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Possession limits — general | Home/storage is included as part of the possession limit | Home/storage is not included as part of the possession limit Even if you are licensed in both states, in Utah you may only take one daily limit each day |
| Kokanee closure | From Sept. 10 to Nov. 30; closure is specific to Flaming Gorge Reservoir | From Sept. 10 through Nov. 30; closure is statewide |
| Lake trout closure | No lake trout closure | Linwood Bay is closed to nighttime angling (sunset to sunrise) from Oct. 15 through 6 a.m. on the second Saturday of December |
| Live fish release (culling) | Not allowed | Any trout, salmon or grayling not immediately released is part of your daily limit |
| Fishing methods | Wyoming | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth bass underwater spearfishing | Total closure | Closed from April 1 through the fourth Saturday of June |
| Angler's distance from gear while open water fishing | Distance not defined | Not to exceed 100 feet |
| Angler's distance from gear while ice fishing | Not to exceed 900 feet | Not to exceed 100 feet |
| Ice fishing shelters | Must be removed | No regulation |
| Game fish parts as bait | Internal organs, eggs, eyes, fins and skin allowed | Eggs only |
| Trapping/seining nongame fish | Seining permit needed | Only fishing license needed |
| Licenses and permits | Wyoming | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Resident youth | Residents under 14 don't need a license | Residents under 12 don't need a license |
| Nonresident youth | Nonresidents under 14 don't need a license; limit is part of adult limit | Nonresidents under 12 don't need a license; limit is the youth's (independent of any adult limit) |
| Reciprocal fishing permits* | Valid for an entire calendar year (fee is the same) |
Valid for 365 days from the date of purchase (fee is the same) |
| AIS watercraft permits/decals | Fees are required for motorized and nonmotorized watercraft for both residents and nonresidents. (See this page for fee details.) | Fees are required for all motorized boats not registered in Utah. (See STDoftheSea.utah.gov for details.) |
*Utah reciprocal fishing permits are available online and from authorized license agents and Division offices.
Wyoming reciprocal fishing permits and fishing licenses are available online or by calling the Wyoming Game and Fish Department at 307-777-4600.
| Other regulations | Wyoming | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Filleting game fish | Can fillet all species, except lake trout, on the water while fishing. A piece of skin on fillets is required. | Can't fillet any fish until after completing the act of fishing. A piece of skin on fillets is not required. |
| Fishing contests | No fee | Fee |
| Live crayfish transportation | Allowed | Prohibited |
| Other crayfish regulations | Multiple differences exist between the two states; check each state's guidebook for the complete regulations. |
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It is your responsibility to know and follow each state's laws and rules for Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and some of those changed this year. Please see the Utah Fishing Guidebook or the Wyoming Fishing Regulations book for the laws and rules specific to each state's portion of Flaming Gorge.