Utah Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in Utah.
Bear Lake
Lake Powell
Strawberry Reservoir
Utah Lake
More Utah lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Bear LakeRich County, UT & Bear Lake County, ID · 70,000 acres
Bear Lake
A large natural lake straddling the Utah and Idaho line, with Garden City on the Utah shore and the upper 21 feet used as water storage. Known for its turquoise water, it holds four fish found nowhere else plus Bear Lake cutthroat and big lake trout.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Cutthroat Trout
Bear Lake strain of Bonneville cutthroat. Troll or jig rocky drop-offs; shore anglers do well in early spring and late fall.
Lake Trout
Deep water in summer; jig or troll near the bottom. Ice fishing can be good in cold winters.
Bonneville Cisco
Small endemic fish that spawn along rocky shores in January. Dipnetting is legal; see the rules.
Bonneville Whitefish
Endemic whitefish caught on small baits near the bottom.
Boat launches
4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Bear Lake State Park MarinaMarinaUtah State Parks, Garden City. 7-lane ramp, slips and park office; open year-round, feeDirections ↗
- First PointFeeUtah State Parks Eastside launch off Cisco Road. Open year-round, feeDirections ↗
- Cisco BeachFeeUtah State Parks Eastside launch off Cisco Road. Open year-round, feeDirections ↗
- Rainbow CoveFeeUtah State Parks Eastside launch off Cisco Road. Open year-round, feeDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Trout Bear Lake trout limit | See Utah rules book ↗ | 2 / day |
| Bonneville Cisco Snagged cisco may be kept; handheld dipnet allowed, opening no more than 18 in | See Utah rules book ↗ | See guidebook |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Utah Division of Wildlife Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Bear Lake State Park MarinaNearbyGarden City(435) 946-3343Directions ↗
Local tips
- Utah and Idaho rules and licenses both apply depending on where you fish; check the reciprocal permit rules before crossing the line.
- Cisco come in close along rocky shores in January; bring a dipnet with an opening no more than 18 inches.
- Wind can whip up big waves quickly on this open lake; launch early and watch the afternoon forecast.
Strawberry ReservoirWasatch County · 17,164 acres
Strawberry Reservoir
Strawberry Reservoir is a high mountain lake southeast of Heber City. It is Utah's best-known trout lake, with big cutthroat, rainbows, and kokanee.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Cutthroat Trout
Bear Lake cutthroat hit tube jigs and minnow-style lures along weedy shallows.
Rainbow Trout
Shorelines and inlets in cool months, deeper water in summer.
Kokanee
Troll pop gear and small spoons in summer as fish go deeper.
Boat launches
5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Strawberry Bay Marina rampFeeUinta-Wasatch-Cache NF, west side off US-40; paved ramp, day-use feeDirections ↗
- Soldier Creek rampFeeUinta-Wasatch-Cache NF, east end near the dam; paved ramp, day-use feeDirections ↗
- Renegade rampFeeUinta-Wasatch-Cache NF, south shore; paved ramp, day-use feeDirections ↗
- Aspen Grove rampFeeUinta-Wasatch-Cache NF, Soldier Creek arm; paved ramp, day-use feeDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee Utah DWR or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout Trout/kokanee combined; no filleting in field or transit | See Utah rules book ↗ | 4 / day combined |
| Kokanee Combined with trout; no filleting | See Utah rules book ↗ | 4 / day combined |
| Cutthroat Trout Anglers encouraged to voluntarily release all cutthroat; no filleting | See Utah rules book ↗ | 4 / day combined |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Utah Division of Wildlife Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Strawberry Bay Marina storeNearby1555 Strawberry Bay Rd, Heber City, UT(435) 503-3292Directions ↗
- Sportsman's WarehouseNearby1276 S US 189, Heber City, UT(435) 654-5600Directions ↗
Local tips
- Cutthroat from 15 to 22 inches must be released.
- Trout and kokanee may not be filleted or have heads or tails removed before you get home.
- Ice fishing is popular in winter, when the lake usually freezes over.
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