Bess Lake fishing
Bess Lake was last stocked on Sept. 10, 2026 with 501 arctic grayling (1.8 in. average), according to the Utah DWR fish stocking report. It is a lake in Garfield County, Utah. From 2021 to 2026, DWR stocked 2,452 fish here, the 32nd most of 65 stocked waters in Garfield County.
Recent stockings at Bess Lake
- Sept. 10, 2026501 arctic grayling, 1.8 in. average
- July 14, 2026247 brook trout, 2.8 in. average
- June 23, 2025251 brook trout, 2.9 in. average
- Sept. 25, 2024199 arctic grayling, 2.5 in. average
- June 24, 2024246 brook trout, 2.6 in. average
- July 10, 2023249 brook trout, 2.6 in. average
Newest first, from the Utah DWR stocking report. Full stocking history.
Bess Lake facts
- Last stocked
- Sept. 10, 2026 (61 days ago): 501 arctic grayling
- Stockings in 2026
- 2 (748 fish): 501 arctic grayling and 247 brook trout
- County
- Garfield County
- Stocked since 2021
- brook trout and arctic grayling
- Average size stocked
- 2.5 in. (2021 to 2026)
- County rank
- 32nd most fish of 65 stocked waters in Garfield County since 2021
- Name in DWR report
- BESS L BTN
- Nearest water
- Ridge Lake, 0.2 mi
- Rules
- Water-specific rules in the 2026 guidebook
Bess Lake stocking report, last 12 months
| Sept. 10, 2026 | Arctic grayling | 501 | 1.8 in. |
| July 14, 2026 | Brook trout | 247 | 2.8 in. |
Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report. Stocking data fetched Nov. 10, 2026; newest record dated Nov. 19, 2026. DWR posts stockings after they happen and does not publish schedules.
Bess Lake stocking profile
- First record in the DWR report: July 8, 2002. Since then DWR has logged 34 stockings here in 25 different years, 9,203 fish in all.
- Species stocked 2021 to 2026, by share of fish: brook trout 61% (1,494 fish) and arctic grayling 39% (958 fish).
- Busiest months in the record: July (50% of records) and September (21% of records).
- Stocked fish averaged 2.5 in. from 2021 to 2026 (per-record averages ranged from 1.8 to 3.0 in.).
- Fish stocked 2021 to 2026: 2,452, the 32nd most of 65 stocked waters in Garfield County and 594th of 1,076 statewide.
- Nearest other water with a page: Ridge Lake, 0.2 mi away.
Computed from Utah DWR stocking records (fish counts and average lengths as DWR reports them). Past stocking is history, not a schedule.
When is Bess Lake stocked?
Based on DWR stocking records, 2021 to 2025. Stocked in 5 of those 5 years.
2025 stocking: 1 record, first on June 23.
DWR does not publish stocking schedules. This is past stocking, not a promise. How we read patterns.
Bess Lake stocking history by year
| Year | Records | Fish | Avg. length | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 748 | 2.1 in. | Arctic grayling, Brook trout |
| 2025 | 1 | 251 | 2.9 in. | Brook trout |
| 2024 | 2 | 445 | 2.6 in. | Arctic grayling, Brook trout |
| 2023 | 1 | 249 | 2.6 in. | Brook trout |
| 2022 | 1 | 249 | 3.0 in. | Brook trout |
| 2021 | 2 | 510 | 2.7 in. | Arctic grayling, Brook trout |
| 2020 | 2 | 562 | 2.7 in. | Arctic grayling, Brook trout |
| 2019 | 1 | 300 | 2.3 in. | Arctic grayling |
| 2018 | 2 | 506 | 3.0 in. | Arctic grayling, Brook trout |
| 2017 | 2 | 505 | 2.7 in. | Arctic grayling, Brook trout |
| 2016 | 1 | 300 | 2.3 in. | Brook trout |
| 2015 | 2 | 456 | 2.7 in. | Arctic grayling, Brook trout |
| 2014 | 2 | 767 | 2.1 in. | Arctic grayling, Brook trout |
| 2013 | 2 | 559 | 2.9 in. | Arctic grayling, Brook trout |
| 2012 | 1 | 249 | 2.5 in. | Brook trout |
| 2011 | 1 | 257 | 3.3 in. | Brook trout |
| 2010 | 1 | 263 | 2.7 in. | Brook trout |
| 2009 | 1 | 260 | 2.9 in. | Brook trout |
| 2008 | 1 | 255 | 3.2 in. | Brook trout |
| 2007 | 1 | 248 | 3.2 in. | Brook trout |
| 2006 | 1 | 252 | 2.9 in. | Brook trout |
| 2005 | 1 | 256 | 2.3 in. | Brook trout |
| 2004 | 1 | 254 | 2.3 in. | Brook trout |
| 2003 | 1 | 250 | 2.6 in. | Brook trout |
| 2002 | 1 | 252 | 2.9 in. | Brook trout |
All stocking records 2021 to Nov. 10, 2025 (7)
| June 23, 2025 | Brook trout | 251 | 2.9 in. |
| Sept. 25, 2024 | Arctic grayling | 199 | 2.5 in. |
| June 24, 2024 | Brook trout | 246 | 2.6 in. |
| July 10, 2023 | Brook trout | 249 | 2.6 in. |
| July 7, 2022 | Brook trout | 249 | 3.0 in. |
| Sept. 23, 2021 | Arctic grayling | 258 | 2.6 in. |
| July 6, 2021 | Brook trout | 252 | 2.7 in. |
Fishing rules
- Individually listed Boulder Mountain waters follow their own entries; any water not named separately follows statewide rules.
- No fishing from a boat with a motor, except at Wide Hollow Reservoir, Pine Lake and Lower Bowns Reservoir.
From the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, in our own words. Rules can change mid-year: check wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks before fishing. See statewide limits.
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Bess Lake questions
When is Bess Lake stocked?
DWR does not publish stocking schedules. Past records show Bess Lake was stocked in early July (3 of the last 5 years). The most recent stocking in the DWR report is dated Sept. 10, 2026.
What fish are in Bess Lake?
Since 2021 DWR has stocked brook trout and arctic grayling.
Are there special fishing rules at Bess Lake?
Yes. The 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook lists rules for this water, summarized on this page. Check the guidebook and DWR updates before fishing.
Stocking: Utah DWR fish stocking report, fetched Nov. 10, 2026. Location: Utah DWR, USGS NHD. Rules: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook. Page built Nov. 10, 2026. Found an error? Tell us. Verify rules with DWR before fishing.