Utah fishing questions
31 questions anglers ask, answered in a sentence or two. Stocking numbers are recomputed from the DWR stocking report on every build (data fetched Oct. 16, 2026); rules cite their page in the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook.
Fish stocking
When does Utah stock fish?
Utah DWR stocks fish in every month, most of all in June and July. Of the 2,544 stocking records DWR posted for 2025, 570 were in June and 381 were in July, while December through February together had 77.
Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report, 2025 records. Stocking timing explained
Does Utah publish a fish stocking schedule?
No. DWR posts stockings only after they happen and does not publish future dates. Past timing repeats often: for 417 waters stocked every year 2021 to 2025, 85% of 2025 stocking records fell within 14 days of a 2024 stocking at the same water, but that is history, not a promise.
Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report, 2021 to 2025. How we read stocking patterns
Where can I see the Utah fish stocking report?
Utah DWR posts it at dwrapps.utah.gov/fishstocking, and this site shows every record since 2002 by water, county, species and year. The newest record in the report is dated Oct. 15, 2026; we check the report every morning.
Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report, fetched Oct. 16, 2026. Latest Utah stockings
How often is Strawberry Reservoir stocked?
Strawberry Reservoir averaged 61 DWR stocking records a year from 2021 to 2025. It was last stocked on Oct. 5, 2026 with 9,052 rainbow trout.
Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report, 2021 to 2026. Strawberry Reservoir stocking and fishing
How many fish does Utah stock each year?
In 2025, DWR's public report lists 12,239,102 fish in 2,544 stocking records at 661 waters. So far in 2026 it lists 8,922,193 fish in 2,143 records, through Oct. 15, 2026.
Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report, 2025 and 2026. Utah fish stocking report 2025
What fish does Utah stock the most?
By number of fish, walleye led Utah stocking in 2025 with 3,686,949 fish, followed by rainbow trout (3,313,073) and kokanee salmon (1,882,484).
Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report, 2025 records. Walleye stocking report
Which Utah water gets the most stocked fish?
Willard Bay Reservoir received the most stocked fish of any water with a page on this site in 2025: 2,698,751 fish across all species.
Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report, 2025 records. Willard Bay Reservoir stocking history
Does Utah stock fish in winter?
Yes, but rarely. December, January and February together had 77 of 2,544 DWR stocking records in 2025.
Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report, 2025 records. Latest Utah stockings
Licenses and rules
Do I need a fishing license in Utah?
Yes, if you are 12 or older. Anglers 12 and older must buy a Utah fishing license or a combination license before fishing in Utah. Kids under 12 can fish without a license, and they may still use two poles, run a setline and keep a full daily limit.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 8. Utah fishing license guide
How much is a Utah fishing license?
A 365-day fishing license for ages 18 to 64 costs $40 for residents and $120 for nonresidents. A 3-day fishing license costs $19 for residents and $44 for nonresidents at any age. A 7-day fishing license costs $30 for residents and $91 for nonresidents at any age. The DWR adds a 2.2% processing fee to every credit or debit card purchase, online or in person.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 6. All 2026 license prices
When is Free Fishing Day in Utah?
Utah's 2026 Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 6, 2026, when anyone can fish without a license, though every other fishing rule still applies.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 8. Utah fishing license guide
Can I fish with two poles in Utah?
Yes, with a valid license. With a valid fishing or combination license (or if you are under 12) you may fish with two poles at any open water, but a second pole does not allow a second daily limit. The guidebook describes no separate two-pole permit; a second pole simply requires a valid fishing or combination license.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 11 and p. 71. Utah fishing limits and gear rules
What is the trout limit in Utah?
The statewide limit for trout, kokanee salmon and Arctic grayling is 4 fish in total. Where a water has its own rule in the specific waters section, that rule overrides the general statewide rules.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 7 and p. 22. Utah fishing limits 2026
Is PowerBait legal in Utah?
Yes, where bait is allowed. PowerBait and scented lures legally count as bait and cannot be used on bait-restricted waters. Corn is legal bait anywhere in Utah where bait is allowed.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 13 and p. 12. Utah bait rules
Do I need the Mussel-aware Boater course to fish from a boat in Utah?
Yes, if the boat has a motor. Every owner of a motorized boat, resident or not, must complete the Utah Mussel-aware Boater course each year and pay the AIS vessel enrollment fee: $20 for Utah residents and $25 for nonresidents.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 26. Utah boat rules for anglers
Do kayaks and paddleboards pay the AIS fee in Utah?
No. Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards skip the AIS fee, but their owners must still take the Mussel-aware Boater course and self-certify that the craft was cleaned, drained and dried before launch.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 26. Utah boat rules for anglers
Can I fish Lake Powell or Bear Lake with an out-of-state license?
Yes, with a license from a neighboring state that shares the lake. At Lake Powell, a valid Utah or Arizona fishing or combination license covers both states' portions of the lake, following the rules of whichever state you are in. At Bear Lake, a valid Utah or Idaho fishing or combination license lets you fish both states' portions of the lake, but you may take only one daily limit per day.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 8. Border water rules
Where to fish
What is a Blue Ribbon fishery in Utah?
It is a DWR designation: DWR Fish Utah lists 59 waters as Blue Ribbon Fisheries. The guidebook marks Blue Ribbon fisheries with an icon in the specific waters section but does not define the term.
Source: DWR Fish Utah; 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 28. All Utah Blue Ribbon waters
What are Utah community fishing ponds?
They are the waters DWR lists as community fisheries, set in public parks; DWR's community fisheries map lists 64 of them. At community fishing waters the daily limit is 2 fish, and common carp do not count toward it. Community fishing waters are open only while the parks they sit in are open to the public; the full list is at wildlife.utah.gov/cf.
Source: DWR community fisheries map; 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 31. All Utah community ponds
Where can I fish near Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake County has 32 waters with DWR stocking history on this site. The most recently stocked were Willow Pond (Oct. 7, 2026), Kidney Pond (Oct. 5, 2026) and Midas Pond (Oct. 5, 2026).
Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report, fetched Oct. 16, 2026. Salt Lake County stocking report
Where can I catch tiger trout in Utah?
DWR stocked tiger trout at 206 of the waters on this site since 2021, and DWR Fish Utah lists them as a likely catch at 41. The tiger trout page lists every one with its last stocking date.
Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report; DWR Fish Utah species lists. Where to catch tiger trout
Seasons and ice fishing
Is fishing open year-round in Utah?
Yes. Utah's general fishing and crayfish season runs Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, and fishing by angling or setline is legal 24 hours a day. Where a water has its own rule in the specific waters section, that rule overrides the general statewide rules.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 22. Utah fishing rules explained
How big can an ice fishing hole be in Utah?
12 inches wide at most on most waters. Ice fishing holes may be no wider than 12 inches, except at Bear Lake, Flaming Gorge Reservoir and Fish Lake.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 12. Utah ice fishing rules
How many lines can I use ice fishing in Utah?
Two poles on most waters, and up to six lines at four named waters. Extra lines beyond two poles are allowed when ice fishing at Flaming Gorge, Porcupine and Causey reservoirs and Pelican Lake. At those four waters an ice angler may run up to six lines, but anyone using more than two must attach their name to each line, pole or tip-up and may tend only their own lines.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 11 and p. 30. Utah ice fishing rules
When can I not keep kokanee salmon in Utah?
Kokanee salmon count toward the 4-fish trout limit, and no angler may keep kokanee anywhere in Utah from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 7. Where to catch kokanee salmon
Species
What is the Utah Cutthroat Slam?
The Utah Cutthroat Slam challenges anglers to catch all four of Utah's native cutthroat subspecies in their native waters and show visual proof. The Cutthroat Slam fee is $20 for adults and $10 for youth under 18, and it funds cutthroat conservation in Utah.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 10. Utah Cutthroat Slam guide
Can I release burbot in Utah?
No. Burbot have no limit, and every burbot caught must be killed right away rather than released.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 7. Utah fishing limits
What is the walleye limit in Utah?
The statewide walleye limit is 10, with no more than 1 over 24 inches.
Source: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 7. Where to catch walleye
Using this site
How do I get alerts when my lake is stocked?
Pick your lakes and rivers on our alerts page and we email you when they show up in the DWR stocking report, which we check every morning. You confirm by email and can unsubscribe in one click. You can also follow the stocking feed in any RSS reader.
Source: Utah Fishing alerts. Set up stocking alerts
Is this site run by Utah DWR?
No. Utah Fishing is an independent site, not affiliated with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources; buy licenses and check current rules at wildlife.utah.gov.
Source: Utah Fishing. About Utah Fishing
Where does this site get its data?
Stocking records come from the Utah DWR fish stocking report, fetched daily; rules come from the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, summarized in our own words with page numbers; water details come from DWR Fish Utah.
Source: Utah Fishing sources. Sources and methods
Rules change: check the current guidebook and DWR updates at wildlife.utah.gov before fishing. Stocking data is historical; DWR does not publish stocking schedules.