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The summer is warming up with great fishing conditions throughout the state. Many parts of Utah received an above-average snowpack this past winter, which means you'll find plenty of water—and lots of fish—in the state's reservoirs, rivers and streams. "Fishing at some of the state's waters will be as good as it's ever been this year," said Drew Cushing, warm water sport fisheries coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
Since late April, the DWR has stocked nearby waters with thousands of kokanee salmon and tiger trout. As stewards over Utah's wildlife, the DWR manages fish populations throughout the state. Tiger trout keep chubs from overrunning other fish populations, while kokanee salmon are prized for their fighting ability and delicious taste.
The DWR's practice of stocking fish is not just good for the fisheries; it's good for anglers, too. Tiger trout and kokanee are fun to catch. The DWR has also planted rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout throughout Utah. These trout happen to be Utah anglers' top three favorite fish.
You can start off the summer with a satisfying catch by seeking out some of Utah's best sport fish. Here's a roundup of seven species that are biting in late spring and early summer:
1. Brown trout
Golden brown and yellow with spots (with crimson and blue during spawning). They are carnivorous with strong, sharp teeth. They average 7 to 14 inches, but grow up to 20. Where to find them: Fremont River, Green River below Flaming Gorge dam, Starvation Reservoir or Weber River.
2. Channel catfish
Pale blue shading with olive on top and white on the lower body. They have characteristic chin and snout barbels and short, wide mouths. Adults range from 15 to 24 inches. Where to find them: Kaysville Pond or Utah Lake.
3. Cutthroat trout
Differ from rainbow trout by their larger spots, longer heads and jaws. Size varies by habitat: 8 to 12 inches in small streams versus 20 to 30 inches in lakes. Where to find them: Scofield Reservoir just received 73,000 9-inch cutthroats and has many longer than 20 inches that are already in the reservoir.
4. Kokanee salmon
Silvery with a blue back for much of the year. (During the fall spawning season, they turn red and males develop a humped back and hooked jaw.) They have forked tails and grow 15 to 18 inches. Where to find them: The DWR stocks more than 1 million kokanee in Flaming Gorge and Strawberry Reservoir every year.
5. Rainbow trout
One of Utah's most recognizable fish with green, pink and silver coloring and spots. They grow 12 to 24 inches. Where to find them: The DWR annually stocks several hundred thousand rainbows in reservoirs, lakes and ponds across the state.
6. Tiger trout
A cross between brown and brook trout with a unique pattern over their brownish-gray bodies. They have yellow-orange bellies and lower fins and square tail fins. Adults can grow longer than 30 inches. "Tiger trout put up a good fight, which makes them fun to catch," said Cushing. Where to find them: The DWR stocked 90,000 tiger trout across Utah in May. Many large catches have already been recorded this spring.
7. White bass
Grey or green back with silver sides and white belly. They have longitudinal stripes and a deep body, growing 10 to 15 inches in length. "White bass are quick to bite on spinners and jigs," Cushing says. "They're a great fish for kids to catch." Where to find them: Utah Lake. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing is also picking up at Deer Creek and Jordanelle reservoirs.
To plan your next fishing trip, visit fishutah.org, sign up for the DWR's weekly fishing reports or read the reports online. The DWR's fishing reports provide details about fishing conditions in waters throughout the state. The reports often include tips for the type of bait or fishing methods that are currently working best.
Don't forget that this Saturday, June 7 is Free Fishing Day in Utah. DWR is stocking extra fish in lakes and reservoirs. You don't need a license to fish that day, but all other state fishing rules apply.
Now that you know how to find the fish that are biting, get your fishing license and go hook a salmon or trout.
