Dark Canyon Lake fishing
Dark Canyon Lake was last stocked on Sept. 10, 2026 with 2,002 arctic grayling (1.8 in. average), according to the Utah DWR fish stocking report. It is a lake in San Juan County, Utah. From 2021 to 2026, DWR stocked 14,201 fish here, the 9th most of 16 stocked waters in San Juan County.
Dark Canyon Lake stocking report, last 12 months
| Sept. 10, 2026 | Arctic grayling | 2,002 | 1.8 in. |
| July 6, 2026 | Tiger trout | 400 | 2.8 in. |
| July 6, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 506 | 10.5 in. |
| June 1, 2026 | Rainbow trout | 1,007 | 10.4 in. |
Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report. Stocking data fetched Sept. 25, 2026; newest record dated Sept. 23, 2026. DWR posts stockings after they happen and does not publish schedules.
When is Dark Canyon Lake stocked?
Based on DWR stocking records, 2021 to 2025. Stocked in 5 of those 5 years.
2025 stocking: 3 records, first on June 18, last on July 28.
DWR does not publish stocking schedules. Patterns are based on past stocking records and are not a promise of future stocking. Weather, water conditions and hatchery supply change plans. How we read patterns.
Dark Canyon Lake stocking profile
- First record in the DWR report: May 6, 2002. Since then DWR has logged 74 stockings here in 25 different years, 60,100 fish in all.
- Species stocked 2021 to 2026, by share of fish: rainbow trout 58% (8,282 fish), arctic grayling 21% (3,013 fish) and tiger trout 20% (2,906 fish).
- Busiest months in the record: July (50% of records) and June (36% of records).
- Stocked fish averaged 7.0 in. from 2021 to 2026 (per-record averages ranged from 1.8 to 10.7 in.). The yearly average was 5.7 in. in 2021 and 8.6 in. in 2025.
- Fish stocked 2021 to 2026: 14,201, the 9th most of 16 stocked waters in San Juan County and 276th of 1,068 statewide.
- Nearest other water with a page: Blue Lake (San Juan County), 1.2 mi away.
Computed from Utah DWR stocking records (fish counts and average lengths as DWR reports them). Past stocking is history, not a schedule.
Dark Canyon Lake stocking history by year
| Year | Records | Fish | Avg. length | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 3,915 | 5.3 in. | Arctic grayling, Tiger trout, Rainbow trout |
| 2025 | 3 | 2,009 | 8.6 in. | Rainbow trout, Tiger trout |
| 2024 | 3 | 2,001 | 8.0 in. | Rainbow trout, Tiger trout |
| 2023 | 1 | 501 | 3.0 in. | Tiger trout |
| 2022 | 3 | 3,509 | 8.9 in. | Tiger trout, Rainbow trout |
| 2021 | 3 | 2,266 | 5.7 in. | Arctic grayling, Tiger trout, Rainbow trout |
| 2020 | 3 | 2,009 | 8.2 in. | Rainbow trout, Tiger trout |
| 2019 | 3 | 2,420 | 8.9 in. | Rainbow trout, Tiger trout |
| 2018 | 3 | 2,481 | 8.6 in. | Rainbow trout, Tiger trout |
| 2017 | 3 | 2,398 | 8.4 in. | Rainbow trout, Tiger trout |
| 2016 | 3 | 2,407 | 8.6 in. | Rainbow trout, Tiger trout |
| 2015 | 3 | 2,436 | 7.9 in. | Rainbow trout, Tiger trout |
| 2014 | 3 | 2,523 | 7.3 in. | Rainbow trout, Tiger trout |
| 2013 | 3 | 2,355 | 7.4 in. | Tiger trout, Rainbow trout |
| 2012 | 2 | 1,900 | 10.5 in. | Rainbow trout |
| 2011 | 3 | 2,395 | 9.2 in. | Tiger trout, Rainbow trout |
| 2010 | 4 | 2,406 | 8.8 in. | Rainbow trout, Tiger trout |
| 2009 | 4 | 2,417 | 9.4 in. | Rainbow trout, Tiger trout |
| 2008 | 3 | 2,373 | 8.7 in. | Tiger trout, Rainbow trout |
| 2007 | 3 | 2,382 | 9.1 in. | Tiger trout, Rainbow trout |
| 2006 | 3 | 2,386 | 8.9 in. | Tiger trout, Rainbow trout |
| 2005 | 3 | 2,381 | 8.9 in. | Tiger trout, Rainbow trout |
| 2004 | 3 | 2,902 | 9.1 in. | Tiger trout, Rainbow trout |
| 2003 | 3 | 2,925 | 8.8 in. | Rainbow trout, Tiger trout |
| 2002 | 2 | 2,403 | 10.0 in. | Rainbow trout |
All stocking records 2021 to Sept. 24, 2025 (13)
| July 28, 2025 | Rainbow trout | 683 | 10.7 in. |
| July 17, 2025 | Tiger trout | 503 | 3.0 in. |
| June 18, 2025 | Rainbow trout | 823 | 10.3 in. |
| July 9, 2024 | Rainbow trout | 500 | 9.7 in. |
| June 11, 2024 | Tiger trout | 501 | 2.3 in. |
| June 11, 2024 | Rainbow trout | 1,000 | 9.9 in. |
| July 18, 2023 | Tiger trout | 501 | 3.0 in. |
| July 7, 2022 | Tiger trout | 502 | 2.8 in. |
| July 6, 2022 | Rainbow trout | 1,500 | 9.6 in. |
| June 28, 2022 | Rainbow trout | 1,507 | 10.2 in. |
| Sept. 23, 2021 | Arctic grayling | 1,011 | 2.6 in. |
| July 20, 2021 | Tiger trout | 499 | 4.5 in. |
| July 8, 2021 | Rainbow trout | 756 | 10.5 in. |
Fishing rules
The 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook lists no water-specific rules for Dark Canyon Lake under that name, so statewide rules apply unless DWR posts a change. Some waters are covered by a group entry (for example a drainage or its tributaries).
Rules summarized in our own words from the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook. DWR can change rules mid-year: check the current guidebook and its updates at wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks before fishing. See statewide limits.
Email me when Dark Canyon Lake is stocked
Email me when Dark Canyon Lake shows up in the DWR stocking report. Alerts start once we switch on email; your choices are saved now.
"Was stocked" alerts come from new rows in the DWR stocking report. "Often stocked around now" heads-ups come from past stocking records only. DWR does not publish stocking schedules, so a heads-up is never a promise. We store your email only for these alerts; ask us to delete it at [email protected]. Privacy.
Dark Canyon Lake questions
When is Dark Canyon Lake stocked?
DWR does not publish stocking schedules. Past records show Dark Canyon Lake was stocked in mid to late June (3 of the last 5 years) and early to mid July (5 of the last 5 years). The most recent stocking in the DWR report is dated Sept. 10, 2026.
What fish are in Dark Canyon Lake?
Since 2021 DWR has stocked rainbow trout, tiger trout and arctic grayling.
What are the fishing limits at Dark Canyon Lake?
The 2026 guidebook lists no water-specific rules under this name, so statewide limits apply unless DWR posts a change. See our statewide limits page and check the guidebook.
Stocking: Utah DWR fish stocking report, fetched Sept. 25, 2026. Location: Utah DWR, USGS NHD. Rules: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook. Page built Sept. 24, 2026. Found an error? [email protected]. Verify rules with DWR before fishing.