SALT LAKE CITY — More and more national publications are recognizing Utah’s outdoor pedigree. Most recently, Provo was a dominant force in Outside magazine’s annual “Best Towns” contest. It’s important to note, however, that just last year Park City received a similar honor from the magazine, beating out beloved outdoor towns across the country.

Utah has been bringing home honors for decades. Our world-class skiing certainly plays a big role in these distinctions, but the fantastic fishing can’t be underestimated. From top to bottom, the state is filled with incredible opportunities for anglers.

Though it’s known in some parts of the country as strictly a haven for trout, Utah offers stunning diversity. For example, it’s one of only two places in the world where you can go to catch Bonneville cisco during their annual run (the other is our neighbor to the north, Idaho). We’ve got everything from trophy-sized stripers to delicate grayling, from monster browns to land-locked salmon.

In no particular order, here are five of the reasons Utah’s fishing is unbeatable.

Blue Ribbon rivers

Utah has several notable rivers, with the Green and the Provo at the top of the list. Each of these gorgeous rivers boasts clean water, abundant hatches, massive fish populations and the chance to land a personal best. It’s no wonder that anglers travel from around the nation to experience the Blue Ribbon fisheries of Utah.

Tiger muskies at Pineview Reservoir

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Pineview is home to catfish, crappie, bass and trout. But it’s the tiger muskies—a hybrid of northern pike and muskellunge—that get most of the attention. After all, these are barracuda-like predators that can grow more than 53” long. You can sometimes see them lurking in the water like toothy torpedoes, waiting to ambush their prey. Hook one and you’ll never forget the experience.

Lake trout at Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Like Pineview, Flaming Gorge is home an impressive collection of fish species. Multiple state records have come from the Gorge, including brown trout and rainbow trout. The lake trout grow particularly big, reaching world-class sizes. How big? Well, the state record is a 51-pounder caught in 1988, and unofficial catch-and-release records hover near the 55-pound mark.

Alpine lakes and streams

While most conversations of high altitude Utah lakes begin with the Uintas, there’s a significant number of anglers who bypass the well-traveled mountain trails of the Uintas in favor of other spots like the Boulders or La Sals. No matter where you go, Utah’s mountain lakes and streams boast pristine water, stunning views, and an array of fish species including native cutthroats.

Striped bass at Lake Powell

From Jordanelle to Sand Hollow, Utah has its share of bass hotspots. But when it comes to sheer size, nothing compares to the stripers of Lake Powell. The current state record is a 48-pounder caught in 1991.

When it comes to fish’s feeding style, Powell is also in a league of its own. Stripers don’t lightly kiss the surface of the water like brookies on a mountain lake—they violently churn the water into what is known as a boil. It’s a sight to behold. And toss the right spoon or jig into the boil and you’re likely to hook into one of the stripers in full attack mode.

Honorable Mention: Secret fishing holes

With thousands of fishable lakes and streams in Utah, there’s plenty of room for everyone to have a secret fishing hole. There is often a correlation between the ruggedness and seclusion of the spot and the fishing success, but some of the most productive secret fishing holes are actually nestled right in the middle of major towns. Regardless of the location, it’s a well- known fact that Utah has an abundance of lesser-known gems.

Obviously, there are hundreds of great fishing spots that didn’t make this little list. Feel free to sound off on the comments board. What are your favorite things about Utah fishing?

Grant Olsen joined the KSL.com team in 2012. He covers outdoor adventures, travel, product reviews and other interesting things. You can contact him at grantorrin@gmail.com.

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