Your guide to fall fishing in northern Utah
Spencer Durrant hikes along the bank of Sixthwater Creek in October 2014.
Spencer Durrant focuses on landing his fly in just the right place while fishing the Green River in July 2014.
Brown trout in a stream.
The Strawberry River on a brisk morning in July 2014.
Fall in Utah is a time like no other in the state. Between hunting for elk in the high mountains, driving winding roads through canopies of golden aspens, and crisp clear mornings, it seems everything in the state is transforming in preparation for winter.
That includes fish.
Fall fishing in Utah is incredible. It’s when many trout species begin their annual spawn. It’s when they display the bright and vibrant colors that make many trout famous. During this special time of year, anglers have a unique and small window to catch these gorgeous fish while enjoying amazing autumn scenery.
The Beehive State houses countless miles of famous lakes and rivers, especially in its northern region. Where to begin? Consider this guide as your road map to some of the famous, and not so famous, fishing holes in northern Utah. These spots are guaranteed to provide you with excellent opportunities to catch some of Utah’s beautiful trout.
Green River
Species: brown trout, rainbow trout
Location: below the Flaming Gorge Dam by the Utah-Wyoming border
Artificial flies and lures only
The Green River is a world-class blue-ribbon fishery known for prolific hatches and incredibly dense trout populations. According to officials with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the stretch of river currently has trout populations between 10,000 and 15,000 per mile.
A robust and healthy resident population of brown trout can be found in the Green River. Once the spawn starts, fishing for these beasts can turn into the experience of a lifetime.
While the Green River does receive a lot of pressure, making the fish wiser and harder to catch, fishing egg-patterned flies during the spawn can be a sure bet to lure skitterish browns onto the end of your line. You’ll probably hook a few rainbow trout as well, since they feed on brown trout eggs as they wash downstream.
Strawberry River
Species: brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout
Location: beneath the Soldier Creek Dam at Strawberry Reservoir, east of Heber
Artificial flies and lures only
The Strawberry River might be one of Utah’s most overlooked rivers. Ignoring it is a mistake. The stretch of the river below Soldier Creek Dam is home to completely wild (self-sustaining) populations of brown, rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout. That’s one reason why this blue-ribbon fishery is a natural fall fishing destination.
While the lower reaches of this river below its confluence with Red Creek are on Indian Trust land, much of the river is open to the public. The Strawberry is hauntingly beautiful, with tall pines framing the swift, dark water.
There are not many trophy-sized fish in this stretch. It doesn’t mean you can’t catch fish that put a decent bend in your rod. Fishing with a large attractor fly, a midge, scud or bead head prince nymph setup is usually the most effective way to lure these trout onto your line.
Artificial flies and lures are the only tackle permitted on the first mile of the river below Soldier Creek Dam. Use of bait is permitted beyond that point. Still, flies remain the most effective way to catch fish out of the Strawberry River.
Electric Lake
Species: rainbow trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, tiger trout, kokanee salmon
Location: south of highway 264 between Fairview and Scofield
No tackle restrictions
Electric Lake is a long, narrow, deep reservoir nestled in the heart of the northern end of the Manti-La Sal National Forest. It is notable as Utah’s last bastion for the Yellowstone cutthroat – a gorgeous strain of the West’s native trout. Rainbow and tiger trout also call the reservoir home.
Kokanee salmon were released here in May 2013, and a few anglers have reported catching them in sizes around 12 inches long. These fish will likely be a hot item in 2015 when they reach spawning age.
Trout can be caught in Electric Lake with all legal forms of fishing. Bait fishing from dam and other steep sections of the shore is a popular option. Wading into the shallow north end of the lake is a great way to get into fly-fishing at this lake.
One benefit of fishing Electric Lake is having access to a vast number of other nearby waters. Huntington Creek, Cleveland Reservoir, Miller Flat Reservoir, Mammoth Reservoir and Gooseberry Lake are all within a few minutes drive of Electric Lake and also boast great fall fishing.
East Canyon Reservoir
Species: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, wiper, smallmouth bass, black crappie, tiger trout, splake, brown trout
Location: south of Morgan along highway 65
No tackle restrictions
East Canyon Reservoir receives little pressure considering how close it is to both Salt Lake City and Ogden. This reservoir holds the current catch-and-release record for cutthroat trout – a 31.5-inch fish caught back in 2011 by Curtis Robinson. Many different species can be caught here, and it’s during this time of year fishing from shore is productive.
Bear Lake
Species: cutthroat trout, lake trout
Location: east of Logan on highway 89, on the Utah-Idaho border
No tackle restrictions
Bear Lake is a popular fishery year-round, but during the fall months anglers get the most out of the lake. The big lake trout, a popular sportfish in this lake, are taken with more frequency this time of year. Jigging near rock piles and trolling dodgers on boats are the most effective methods for snaring a large mackinaw.
Weber River
Species: brown trout, cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, rainbow trout, brook trout
Location: Along Interstate 84
Artificial flies and lures only
The Weber River mimics many characteristics of the Provo River, although it doesn’t see nearly as many visitors. Brown trout is the main target on the Weber River, although cutthroat trout are also caught fairly regularly. Flies are most effective for fishing on this river, especially sow bugs and prince nymphs.
Woodruff Reservoir
Species: cutthroat trout
Location: 38 miles east of Hunstville
Artificial flies and lures only
Woodruff is an overlooked fishery, but it is worth a visit. Anglers who come here in the fall have an opportunity to catch aggressive cutthroat trout that chase minnows in the shallows. And they’ll be able to do so in a gorgeous setting. The Utah Department of Wildlife Resources is managing this reservoir as a self-sustaining cutthroat fishery, meaning anglers have the chance to catch wild cutthroat trout. Flies and Rapala lures fished from float tubes are popular here.
Fall fishing in Utah is a time to get away – from work, from school, or from life in general. Just take an evening, a Saturday, or even a day off if you can spare it, and go experience the calming nature of fishing. You’ll be treated to gorgeous views, beautiful fish and you’ll come home in a better mood than when you left.
Spencer Durrant is a fisherman first, and a writer second. He’s proud to call the mountains of Utah home and doesn’t plan on leaving the fish here uncaught. He can be reached on Twitter @Spencer_Durrant.
