River Fishing in Utah: The DWR List

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has some summer tips for all the stream/river fishers out there. 

The state has several beautiful locations for fishing in reservoirs, ponds, streams, and rivers. Whether you want to try a big(ish) or small body of water is the real question here.  

Small Streams Recommended by the DWR: 

• Currant Creek (Juab and Utah counties) 
• The Right and Left Forks of Huntington Creek (Emery County) 
• The Right Fork of the Logan River (Cache County) 
• Mill Creek near Salt Lake City (Salt Lake County) 

"Generally, anglers fishing in small streams should expect to fish around a lot of brush, and as a result, shorter fishing rods are recommended for this type of fishing," Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Sportfish Coordinator Randy Oplinger said. "Fishing in small streams is difficult, but anglers can be rewarded with high catch rates of fish, although they are typically small fish." 

For Something More Moderate: 

• The East Fork of the Sevier River (Piute and Sevier counties) 
• Duchesne River (Duchesne County) 
• Logan River (Cache County) 
• Blacksmith Fork River (Cache County) 

You should be able to cast in moderately sized streams as well as wade into the water if that’s your thing. I prefer to be on a boat or from the shore but to each their own.  

Larger Utah Rivers for Fishing Include: 

• Weber River (Weber County) 
• Provo River (Utah County) 
• Green River (Emery County) 

"The Green River is especially notable because it is the best drift boat fishing opportunity in Utah," Oplinger said. "Anglers should also keep in mind that large rivers can sometimes be difficult to wade in due to their size and faster flows, but they typically hold larger fish." 

Some of the fish you’ll be able to nab in these waters are trout species like the rainbow and cutthroat trout. There are also Mountain whitefish to be caught in these Utah rivers and streams.  

"Many of these fish can be caught fly fishing, using a variety of flies," Oplinger said. "Using nymphs can be an effective option because fish spend roughly 90% of their time feeding below the surface, which is where nymphs dwell. Dry flies and terrestrials are a lot of fun to use while fishing as well, and are often easier to fish with because you can see the fish actually taking the fly on the surface. However, they can be a more challenging option." 

The DWR also recommends combining both options and using a “dropper”. 

"People typically associate streams with fly fishing," Oplinger said. "But, with that said, anglers who prefer spinning equipment can also catch a lot of trout using spinners. You can also cast flies using a spinning rod if you use a bobber. Simply attach the fly with a section of leader below the bobber, and use the bobber as a strike indicator. Stream fishing is fun because it provides a unique game of strategy. To be successful as a stream angler, you have to be intimately aware of the habitat, what fish are eating, and how fish are behaving. You also have to focus on how you present your flies to the fish so you make it as natural as possible. This makes stream fishing both an exciting mental and physical challenge." 

To see a full list of the DWR’s river and stream fishing tips click here.