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SUMMIT COUNTY — If you have never been fishing in the Uinta Mountain range, you don’t know what you have been missing. These mountains provide some of the best mountain scenery Utah has to offer and are full of mountain lakes that have a variety of trout species. Plus one of the best things about these mountain lakes are their accessibility.
The Mirror Lake Highway or Route 150 runs right through the middle of the High Uinta Mountains. There are dozens of lakes right off Route 150 making them easy for families and others to fish, and many of these lakes are stocked with fish weekly. For those willing to hike or backpack a few miles, hundreds of more lakes become available.
Along with the more common cutthroat trout, Uinta Mountain lakes are full of colorful brook and golden trout.
"The golden trout, native to California, are some of the most colorful of all trout," said Paul Birdsey, cold water sport fisheries coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "Starting in 2012, they were reintroduced to several lakes in the Uintas."
You can see where golden trout have been stocked by visiting the DWR's online stocking report.
Another less known fish species you can find in the Uintas is the Arctic Grayling. The Arctic Grayling also is not native to Utah, but was introduced into some of the lakes in the Uintas. These fish are easily recognized by their large sail-like dorsal fins. However, these fish are not always easy to find and the few lakes with them usually require some hiking.
During the summer month, high mountain lakes provide the ideal water temperature for trout to feed.
"Fifty-five to 65 degrees is the ideal water temperature for trout," Birdsey said. "And, fortunately, that's the temperature high-elevation lakes in Utah stay at throughout the summer. That's the main reason they're such great places to fish."
If you plan on heading up to the Uinta Mountains, the following tips will help you catch fish and have a great experience.
- Avoid the middle of the day. Fishing in the morning or evening provide the best opportunities to catch fish.
- Pay attention to what insects are hatching and pick a fly that matches it.
- Nightcrawlers are also a great way to catch fish if you prefer bait fishing.
- Be prepared for rain. During the summer months, it usually rains in the High Uintas each afternoon. It usually doesn't last long, but being prepared will make your trip more enjoyable.
You can also learn more about fishing the Uintas and stay current on fishing conditions and success by reading the DWR's weekly fishing reports.
Jeremiah Breeze is an outdoor enthusiast, husband and father of three adventurous kids. Follow him on Twitter at @openairlife or visit http://openairlife.com
