Whether you’re a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, understanding Utah fishing license requirements and fishing regulations is essential before you hit the water. Utah offers world-class fishing opportunities year-round, but staying legal means knowing the rules. This comprehensive guide covers everything from license fees and daily limits to specific water rules and fish identification all drawn directly from the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook published by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR).

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Utah Fishing License and Permit Fees

Your purchase of a Utah fishing license directly funds wildlife conservation efforts across the state. Here is a full breakdown of what you can expect to pay in 2026.

Note: A 2.2% transaction fee applies to all online and in-person credit/debit card transactions. For a complete list of fees, visit wildlife.utah.gov/licenses/fees.

365-Day Fishing License Fees

Age	Resident	Nonresident
11 or younger	Not required	Not required
12–13	$5	$18
14–17	$16	$44
18–64	$40	$120
65+	$31	$120

Discounted and Specialty Licenses

365-Day Fishing License for Disabled Veterans: $12 (resident only). Must be a Utah resident with a qualifying service-connected disability of at least 20%. Apply at wildlife.utah.gov/disabledvet.
3-Day Fishing License: $19 (resident) / $44 (nonresident) all ages.
7-Day Fishing License: $30 (resident) / $91 (nonresident) all ages.
Multi-Year Fishing License (up to 5 years): $39/year (resident) / $119/year (nonresident) ages 18–64.

Combination Licenses

A combination license lets you fish, hunt small game, and apply for hunting permits.

Age	Resident	Nonresident
14–17	$20	$58
18–64	$44	$190
65+	$35	$190
Disabled Veteran (resident only)	$28.50	N/A
Multi-Year Combination (18–64)	$43/year	$189/year

Reciprocal Fishing Permits

Wyoming Residents 365-Day Flaming Gorge Utah Reciprocal Permit: $59

Other Fishing Permits

Resident Setline Permit: $22 (must also hold a valid fishing license)
Nonresident Setline Permit: $48 (must also hold a valid fishing license)

General Rules: Utah Fishing Licenses and Permits

Who Needs a Utah Fishing License?

Anglers Under 12 Years of Age

Children under 12 do not need a fishing license to fish in Utah. They may fish without a license, use two poles, use a setline, and take a full daily limit.

Anglers 12 Years and Older

Anyone 12 or older must purchase a valid Utah fishing or combination license before fishing in the state. Licenses are available at wildlife.utah.gov, from DWR offices, and from authorized license agents statewide. You can also purchase by phone through your local DWR office.

Important: You must carry your license while fishing. You cannot alter or transfer your license to another person. The Utah Hunting & Fishing app allows you to carry digital licenses for your entire family on a single phone or tablet.

Utah Free Fishing Day 2026

The one day you do not need a license to fish in Utah is Saturday, June 6, 2026 Free Fishing Day. All other fishing rules and regulations still apply.

Fishing Across State Lines and Reciprocal Permits

Utah shares Bear Lake, Lake Powell, and Flaming Gorge Reservoir with neighboring states, and has entered into reciprocal agreements with Idaho, Arizona, and Wyoming.

Bear Lake

A valid Utah or Idaho fishing or combination license allows you to fish both the Utah and Idaho portions of Bear Lake. Follow the angling regulations of the state where you are fishing. Even if licensed in both states, you may only take one daily limit per day.

Lake Powell

A valid Utah or Arizona fishing or combination license allows you to fish both portions of Lake Powell. Follow the regulations of the state you are fishing in. You may only take one daily limit per day.

Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Utah and Wyoming residents: Must hold a valid resident fishing license from their home state plus a reciprocal fishing permit from the other state.
Nonresident anglers: Must purchase nonresident fishing licenses from both Utah and Wyoming to fish all of Flaming Gorge.
For Wyoming regulations, visit this link or call 307-777-4600.

Discounted Licenses for Disabled Veterans

Utah resident veterans with a qualifying service-connected disability of at least 20% may purchase a 365-day fishing license for just $12 instead of the regular $40. Available online or at any DWR office. Bring verification from the Department of Veterans Affairs if visiting in person.

Licenses for Residents with Special Needs

Utah residents with certain physical or mental disabilities, a terminal illness, or children placed in state custody by court order may qualify for a free fishing license. Visit wildlife.utah.gov/disabled or contact your nearest DWR office.

License Exemptions for Youth Groups

Scout leaders and youth group mentors may be eligible to hold fishing events without requiring a license for participants age 15 and younger. Complete the license-exemption form at wildlife.utah.gov/youth-org.

Fishing Contests and Tournaments

To hold a fishing contest or tournament in Utah, you must apply online at dwrapps.utah.gov/fishingtournament. If you plan to hold a contest at a state park or federally administered waterbody, also check with the relevant land management agency.

Utah Fishing Daily Limits (2026)

The following statewide daily limits apply to most Utah fisheries. Waters with specific exceptions are listed in the Rules for Specific Waters section of the guidebook.

Species	Daily Limit
Black crappie and white crappie (combined)	50
Bluegill and green sunfish (combined)	50
Bonneville cisco	30
Bullhead	24
Burbot	No limit all burbot caught must be immediately killed
Channel catfish	8
Community fisheries (most species)	2 tiger muskellunge must be released; largemouth bass release encouraged
Crayfish	No limit
Kokanee salmon	Counts toward trout limit (see below)
Largemouth and smallmouth bass (combined)	6
Nongame species	No limit (see prohibited fish exceptions)
Northern pike	20 only 1 may exceed 36 inches
Roundtail chub	2
Sacramento perch	10
Striped bass	No limit
Tiger muskellunge	1 must be over 40 inches
Trout, kokanee salmon, and Arctic grayling (combined)	4
Walleye	10 only 1 may exceed 24 inches
Whitefish	10
White bass	No limit
Wiper	3
Yellow perch	50

Statewide Kokanee Salmon Closure

Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from September 10 through November 30 to protect kokanee during spawning season.

General Rules: Fishing Methods in Utah

Angling Rules

Any angler under 12 or holding a valid Utah fishing or combination license may fish with up to two poles at any water during its open season. Using a second pole does not permit you to take two daily limits you may keep only one daily limit regardless of how many poles you use.

Additional lines or hooks are permitted when:

Fishing for crayfish
Using a setline (with a setline permit)
Ice fishing at Flaming Gorge, Porcupine, and Causey Reservoirs, and Pelican Lake

While fishing, you must remain within sight (no more than 100 feet) of your equipment, unless you hold a setline permit.

Key Angling Restrictions

No artificial lure may have more than three hooks.
No single line may have more than three baited hooks, three artificial flies, or three artificial lures.
You may not fish through an ice hole wider than 12 inches (exceptions: Bear Lake, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and Fish Lake).
Artificial light is permitted while angling statewide (but see special rules for underwater spearfishing).

How to Measure a Fish

Place the fish on its side with the jaw closed.
Squeeze the tail (caudal) fin together to obtain the maximum overall length.
Measure a straight line from the tip of the snout to the extreme tip of the tail fin.

Bait Rules

What Is Permitted

Corn may be used anywhere bait is permitted.
Live crayfish may only be used as bait on the water where they were captured.
Dead saltwater species (sardines, anchovies, etc.) may be used as bait anywhere bait is permitted.
Dead mountain sucker, white sucker, Utah sucker, redside shiner, speckled dace, mottled sculpin, fathead minnow, Utah chub, and common carp may be used as bait anywhere bait is permitted.
Fish eggs (except from prohibited fish) may be used where bait is permitted.
Dead yellow perch may be used as bait only at: Big Sand Wash, Deer Creek, Echo, Fish Lake, Gunnison, Hyrum, Johnson, Jordanelle, Mantua, Mill Meadow, Newton, Pineview, Red Fleet, Rockport, Starvation, Utah Lake, Willard Bay, and Yuba Reservoirs.
Dead Bonneville cisco may be used as bait only in Bear Lake.
Dead white bass may be used as bait only in Utah Lake and the Jordan River.
Dead burbot and lake trout from Flaming Gorge may be used as bait only at Flaming Gorge.
Dead shad from Lake Powell may be used as bait only at Lake Powell. Removing dead shad from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is illegal.
Dead striped bass from Lake Powell may be used as bait or chum only at Lake Powell.

What Is Prohibited

Live baitfish
Tiger salamanders (live or dead)
PowerBait or scented jigs where bait is prohibited
Artificial baits commercially embedded or covered with fish or fish parts
Bait transported from AIS-infested waters to other waters

Bait to Catch Crayfish

You may use bait without hooks to catch crayfish in waters where fishing with bait is otherwise prohibited as long as none of your lines have hooks attached.

Restrictions on Taking Fish

You may not use any chemical, explosive, electricity, poison, firearm, pellet gun, or archery equipment to take fish (with specific exceptions). You may not gaff fish (except to land striped bass at Lake Powell). A snagged fish may not be kept and must be released immediately (except Bonneville cisco at Bear Lake, or any waterbody with a catch-and-kill regulation for the snagged species).

Chumming

Chumming is prohibited on all waters except Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge. At those two waters, you may chum only with legal baits as specified.

Setline Fishing

A setline is a line anchored to a non-moving object that is not attached to a fishing pole. You must hold a setline permit ($22 resident / $48 nonresident) plus a valid Utah fishing or combination license (if age 12 or older).

Waters where setlines are permitted:

Bear River proper (downstream from the Idaho state line, including Cutler Reservoir and outlet canals)
Little Bear River (below Valley View Highway SR-30)
Malad River
Utah Lake
Yuba Reservoir

Setline fishing rules:

Maximum of one setline per angler
No more than 8 hooks per setline
Setlines may not be mechanically retrieved
Must be tended at least once every 48 hours
Must be permanently marked with the angler’s setline permit number
One end must be attached to a non-moving object not attached to a fishing pole
You may fish with up to two additional fishing poles while using a setline

Dipnetting

A handheld dipnet may be used to land game fish legally taken by angling. It may not be the primary method of taking game fish, except at Bear Lake where dipnets may be used for Bonneville cisco (net opening may not exceed 18 inches). Dipnets may also be used to take crayfish and non-prohibited nongame fish.

Bowfishing (Archery Tackle and Crossbows)

Bowfishing is permitted at most Utah waterbodies, but only for non-protected, nongame fish such as carp. In most areas, bowfishing is allowed at night using spotlights.

Exceptions include:

Tributaries of Utah Lake are closed to nighttime bowfishing (sunset to sunrise) from May 7 until 6 a.m. on July 9.
Lake Powell has closed areas.

You may use a crossbow or airgun (firing archery tackle) only to take common carp at any open water statewide.

Taking Crayfish

Anglers under 12 do not need a license to take crayfish.
Anglers 12 and older must hold a valid Utah fishing or combination license.
Crayfish may be taken by hand, trap, dipnet, liftnet, handline, pole, or seine.
Seines may not exceed 10 feet in length or width.
No more than five lines may be used; only two may have hooks attached.
You may not transport live crayfish away from the water where they were caught.

Taking Nongame Fish

With a valid Utah fishing or combination license, you may take non-prohibited nongame fish by angling, traps, archery, dipnets, cast nets, liftnets, seines, or handheld spear from above the water’s surface during open seasons.

Cast nets may not exceed 10 feet in diameter.
Seines may not exceed 10 feet in length or width.
Nongame fish must be released or killed immediately upon removal from the water they may not be left on the shoreline.

Prohibited Fish (Must Be Immediately Released)

If you catch any of the following threatened or endangered native fish, you must release them alive immediately:

Bonytail
Colorado pikeminnow
Humpback chub
June sucker
Razorback sucker
Virgin River chub
Woundfin

endangered natives to protect and unvasive to eliminate

Non-Native Nuisance Fish (Do NOT Release)

If you catch any of the following, do not release them. Kill them and report your catch to a local DWR official:

Alewife, Asian swamp eel, Bighead carp, Black carp, Bowfin, Brook stickleback, Convict cichlid, Eurasian ruffe, Flathead catfish, Gar, Grass carp, Ide, Piranhas, Nile perch, Northern snakehead, Red bellied pacu, Red shiner, Round goby, Rudd, Sand shiner, Sea lamprey, Silver carp, South American parasitic catfish, Tiger fish, Tench, Tilapia, Walking catfish

Utah’s Boating Laws and Rules

All boaters on Utah waters have a responsibility to practice safe, ethical use of waterways.

Key Boating Safety Requirements

Life jackets: Utah law requires children under 13 to wear a life jacket at all times while on a boat. It is strongly recommended that everyone wear one.
Courtesy distance: Keep your boat at least 150 feet away from other boats, people in the water, shoreline anglers, launch ramps, docks, and swimming areas.
Required safety equipment: Visit recreation.utah.gov/boating for a full list.
Completing a Utah Boat Course may reduce your boat insurance premiums.

AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) Program Requirements

All boaters with motorized vessels both residents and nonresidents must:

Complete the annual Utah Mussel-Aware Boater Course (free).
Pay the annual AIS Vessel Enrollment Program fee: $20 for Utah residents, $25 for nonresidents.
Follow clean, drain, and dry protocols before launching.

Nonmotorized vessels (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards) are exempt from the enrollment fee but must still complete the Mussel-Aware Boater Course and self-certify that the vessel has been cleaned, drained, and dried before launching in a Utah waterbody.

Visit STDofTheSea.utah.gov for details, course access, and to find a nearby inspection station.

Diving and Underwater Spearfishing Safety

SCUBA divers are required to deploy a diver flag from the highest point of their boat, or from a buoy if not diving from a boat.
It is strongly recommended that all snorkelers, spearfishers, and swimmers in deeper waters deploy a diver flag and stay within 150 feet of it.
Boaters must stay at least 150 feet away from a deployed diver flag.

General Rules: Possession and Transportation of Fish

Season Dates

Utah’s general fish and crayfish season runs January 1 through December 31. Fish may be caught by angling or setline 24 hours per day.

Daily Limits and Possession Rules

You may possess a legal daily limit of dead game fish or crayfish as long as you hold a valid fishing license.
If you fish multiple waters in one day, you cannot possess fish that violate the rules of the waterbody where you are currently fishing.
Any trout, salmon, or grayling not immediately released counts toward your daily limit.
Kokanee salmon count as part of the total trout limit.
A trout, salmon, or grayling may not be released if it has been held on a stringer, in a fish basket, livewell, or any other device.
Any fish not meeting size or species rules for the water you are fishing must be returned to the water immediately.

Additional Limit in the Field (Multi-Day Trips)

You may possess up to two daily limits of fish while traveling within Utah or leaving the state on an overnight or multi-day fishing trip, provided:

You are on an overnight or multi-day trip at any Utah waterbody (excluding Flaming Gorge Reservoir, where only one daily limit is allowed at any time).
At least one limit was caught at a Utah water on a previous day and was a legal species and limit for that waterbody.
Fish from the previous day have been cleaned and gutted (entrails removed).

Keeping Fish at Home

Fish stored at your permanent residence do not count toward your daily limit. However, you may only take home one daily limit per day this rule does not allow you to stockpile limits.

Possession of Filleted Fish

While actively fishing, you may not possess filleted fish from the current day’s catch, or fish that have had their heads or tails removed. At most waters, you may fillet fish after you have: completed the act of fishing, arrived at camp, reached a fish-cleaning station, or arrived at a principal means of land transportation.

Exception: At Strawberry Reservoir, Scofield Reservoir, Lost Creek Reservoir, and Panguitch Lake, you may not fillet trout and salmon, and may not remove their heads or tails while in the field or in transit.

Live Fish and Crayfish

You may not release fish or crayfish into the wild except as authorized by the Utah Wildlife Board. You may not transport live fish or crayfish away from the water where they were caught. Illegal stocking can result in criminal prosecution, license suspension, and thousands of dollars in fines and restitution.

Donating Fish

You may donate harvested protected aquatic wildlife to another person, provided you include documentation with:

The number and species donated
The date of donation
Your license number
An image of the wildlife or parts donated

Disposal of Fish

In most instances, you may not waste any fish or crayfish. You may legally dispose of the following fish at the listed waterbodies without violating wasting laws:

All waters statewide: Common carp
Blue Lake: Pacu and tilapia
Colorado River and tributaries: Burbot, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye
Deer Creek Reservoir: Black bullhead
Fish Lake: Yellow perch
Flaming Gorge: Burbot and lake trout
Grantsville Reservoir: Smallmouth bass
Green River and tributaries: Burbot, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye
Gunlock Reservoir: Smallmouth bass
Lake Powell: Striped bass
Quail Creek Reservoir: Smallmouth bass
Sand Hollow Reservoir: Smallmouth bass
San Juan River and tributaries: Burbot, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye
Utah Lake and tributaries: Northern pike

Rules for Specific Waters in Utah

The following are notable examples of waters with regulations that differ from the statewide general rules. Always check the full Rules for Specific Waters section before fishing a named waterbody.

Bear Lake (Rich County)

Limit: 2 trout
Anglers may keep snagged Bonneville cisco taken through normal, legal fishing.
Cisco may be taken with a handheld dipnet (opening may not exceed 18 inches).
Ice holes for fish other than cisco may not exceed 18 inches.
Valid Utah or Idaho fishing license required.

Flaming Gorge Reservoir (Daggett County)

Trout/kokanee limit: 4 (excluding lake trout); no more than 3 may be kokanee salmon.
Lake trout: No limit for those 28 inches or under; only 1 may exceed 28 inches.
Bass limit: 3 smallmouth and largemouth combined.
Catfish limit: 6.
Burbot: No limit all must be immediately killed.
Chumming is allowed with legal baits, dead burbot, or lake trout.
Ice fishing: anglers may use up to 6 lines (if more than 2 lines are used, angler’s name must be attached to each line/tip-up).
Only one daily limit allowed in possession at Flaming Gorge at any time.
Linwood Bay is closed to nighttime angling (sunset to sunrise) from October 15 through 6 a.m. on the second Saturday of December.

Lake Powell (Garfield, Kane, and San Juan Counties)

Smallmouth bass: 20
Largemouth bass: 5
Crappie: 10
Channel catfish: 25
Striped bass: No limit
Walleye: No limit
Fish may be filleted at any time; anglers may possess filleted fish.
Chumming is allowed with legal baits or dead striped bass.
Gaffs may be used to land striped bass only.
Archery and spearfishing are prohibited within ¼ mile of all developed areas, structures, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, and within 100 yards (300 feet) of any boats.

Strawberry Reservoir (Wasatch County)

Trout/kokanee limit: 4 combined.
No more than 2 may be cutthroat trout under 15 inches; no more than 1 may be a cutthroat trout over 22 inches.
All cutthroat trout from 15 to 22 inches must be immediately released.
Trout and salmon may not be filleted in the field or in transit; heads and tails may not be removed.
Anglers are encouraged to voluntarily release all cutthroat trout.

Provo River (Summit, Utah, and Wasatch Counties)

Olmstead Diversion Dam to Deer Creek Dam: Limit 2 trout under 15 inches; artificial flies and lures only.
Legacy Bridge to Jordanelle Dam: Limit 2 trout under 15 inches; artificial flies and lures only.
Jordanelle Reservoir to Provo River forks: Limit 2 brown trout under 15 inches; cutthroat and rainbow trout and hybrids must be immediately released; artificial flies and lures only.
Center Street Bridge to I-15: No limit on northern pike (must be immediately killed); all suckers must be immediately released; closed to possession of walleye March 1 through 6 a.m. on the first Saturday of May.

See Provo river hatch chart.

Scofield Reservoir (Carbon and Utah Counties)

Limit: 4 trout combined.
No more than 2 cutthroat or tiger trout under 15 inches; no more than 1 cutthroat or tiger trout over 22 inches.
All cutthroat and tiger trout from 15–22 inches must be immediately released.
Trout may not be filleted in the field or in transit.
Closed to nighttime bowfishing from the first Saturday of May through 6 a.m. on the second Saturday of July.

Green River (Flaming Gorge Dam to Colorado River confluence)

Colorado state line in Browns Park to Flaming Gorge Dam: Limit 3 trout (2 under 15 inches and 1 over 22 inches); all trout 15–22 inches must be immediately released; artificial flies and lures only; closed to fishing from a motorized boat between the Utah-Colorado state line and Flaming Gorge Dam.
No limit for burbot, northern pike, smallmouth bass, or walleye these fish may not be released and must be immediately killed.

Utah Lake (Utah County)

Limit: 6 largemouth or smallmouth bass combined, only 1 over 12 inches.
No limit on northern pike all must be immediately killed.
All suckers must be immediately released.

Community Fishing Waters

The daily limit at all community fishing waters is 2 fish. Tiger muskellunge must be immediately released; largemouth bass release is encouraged. Community waters are open only when community parks are open to the public.

Community fishing locations exist in every Utah county, including ponds, reservoirs, and urban fisheries across Box Elder, Cache, Carbon, Davis, Duchesne, Emery, Iron, Juab, Rich, Salt Lake, Sevier, Summit, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch, Washington, and Weber counties.

Help Protect Your Favorite Utah Fisheries

Why Illegal Fish Stocking Is So Dangerous

The illegal movement of fish from one waterbody to another however well-intentioned can have catastrophic consequences for Utah’s fisheries. Over the past decade, the illegal introduction of walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and even unwanted pet goldfish has caused the complete collapse of multiple Utah fisheries. The use of live baitfish like Utah chub has also caused formerly excellent sport fisheries to decline as invasive species outcompeted native sportfish.

It takes years of scientific training and careful planning to maintain the balance of fish species in a lake or reservoir. If you want to see a new species managed at one of your favorite waters, contact your local DWR fisheries biologist and share your suggestion don’t take matters into your own hands.

How the DWR Restores Damaged Fisheries

The DWR has used the following methods to reclaim Utah fisheries damaged by illegal introduction:

Chemical treatment to remove unwanted fish populations from reservoirs and streams
Removal of unwanted fish using electricity, nets, and seines
Introduction of predatory fish species for biological control

Millions of dollars and thousands of hours have been invested to restore great Utah fisheries. At places like Scofield and Strawberry Reservoirs, large predatory fish are now stocked to keep nuisance baitfish populations in check while also providing trophy fishing opportunities.

How to Report Illegal Fish Stocking and Wildlife Crimes

Text: 847411
Call (Utah Turn-In-A-Poacher hotline): 800-662-3337
Online/App: UTDWR Law Enforcement app or wildlife.utah.gov/utip

Report anyone who keeps more fish than the daily limit, moves live fish or crayfish between waterbodies, or transports a boat with attached mussels.

Identifying Utah’s Native Fish

When you catch a fish, fast and accurate identification is critical especially at fisheries with size or species restrictions.

Native Coldwater Sportfish

Bonneville Whitefish and Bear Lake Whitefish

Both species are elongated, cylindrical, and typically silvery-white on their sides grading into charcoal gray to black on their backs. They may have gray-blue spots along their sides and are indistinguishable from each other at under 10 inches. Bonneville whitefish can reach 4 pounds and 20 inches; Bear Lake whitefish do not exceed 10 inches. Both species are found only in Bear Lake.

Bonneville Cisco

A long, slender, pearly-silver fish found only in Bear Lake. It rarely exceeds seven inches, has a sharply pointed snout, and displays a dusky blue back with a brassy flank band at spawning time (mid-January). Famous for spawning concentrations along the rocky east shore of Bear Lake, where it is dipnetted in large numbers.

Mountain Whitefish

Light brown on its back and fins, silver to white on its belly and sides. The lower jaw and snout are short and blunt, with a distinctive flap on each nostril.

Roundtail Chub

Native to the Green and Colorado River watersheds. Roundtail chubs have streamlined, olive-colored bodies with silver sides. They are true minnows without teeth and feed on drifting insects and small fish, much like trout. They can grow to 20 inches and live 10–15 years. Found in the Escalante, Colorado, Dolores, Green, San Rafael, and White rivers. The statewide limit is 2 fish.

Native Trout (Cutthroat Subspecies)

Bonneville Cutthroat Trout

Originally from the Bonneville Basin. They display sparsely scattered, large, very distinctive round spots over the upper body, with few spots on or near the head. They are a subdued silver-gray to charcoal on the upper body, with shades of bronze and pink on the flanks during spawning.

Bear Lake Cutthroat Trout

A lake-dwelling form of the Bonneville cutthroat. They often lack the bright crimson jaw slash (which may be yellow, gray, or absent). They are distinguished from rainbow trout by their deep orange pelvic and anal fins and the presence of few, if any, spots on the head. During spawning, males take on a bronze color and develop rosy-colored gill plates.

Colorado River Cutthroat Trout

Native to the Green and Colorado River watersheds, noted for their brilliant coloration. Spawning males have bright crimson stripes along the sides and stomach. Spotting is usually concentrated toward the tail area.

Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

Native to the Snake River watershed in northwestern Utah, including the Raft River Mountains. They are lightly spotted, with distinctly round spots concentrated toward the tail area.

Key identification tip for all cutthroat: Cutthroat trout lack the iridescent pink lateral stripe and white-tipped pelvic and anal fins of the rainbow trout.

Identifying Utah’s Non-Native Fish

Non-Native Coldwater Sportfish

Rainbow Trout

Dark green to bluish on the back with silvery sides. Distinguished by a pinkish to reddish horizontal band along the sides. Black spots are irregular and profuse on the head, back, and sides. The pelvic and anal fins are translucent pink to gray-green, tipped in white. The snout is fairly blunt.

Lake Trout

A species of char with a gray-brown background overlaid with lighter gray spots. The tail fin is deeply forked. The mouth is large with strong teeth on both jaws. Spotting is usually more intense on smaller fish; larger lake trout in open water may appear almost silvery.

Brook Trout

Olive to blue-gray on the back, white on the belly. Distinguished by red spots with bluish halos on the sides and characteristic light wavy marks on the back. The front edges of the lower fins have an obvious white-and-black striping pattern. The tail fin is squared or lightly forked.

Splake

A hybrid between lake trout and brook trout. Dark background with white spots. Its tail fin is not as deeply forked as that of a lake trout.

Brown Trout

Golden brown hues with yellow underparts. The upper body is dappled with large, dark-chocolate spots. Spawning males display brilliant crimson spots circled with blue halos. Brown trout are carnivorous with stronger, sharper teeth than most trout.

Tiger Trout

A brown trout × brook trout hybrid. Has a unique, dark maze-like pattern all over its brownish-gray body. The belly is yellowish-orange, as are the pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins. The tail fin is square.

Arctic Grayling

Silvery to light purple on the sides with a bluish-white belly. Most easily distinguished by its long, high, sail-like dorsal fin brilliantly colored in shades of pink, green, and purple.

Kokanee Salmon

Bright silvery fish with no definitive spotting pattern and a dark blue back. As spawning approaches, kokanee turn from silver to orange to deep red; males develop a characteristic hump, elongated head, and hooked jaw. The deeply forked tail distinguishes them from rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout. Kokanee count toward the statewide trout daily limit.

Non-Native Cool and Warmwater Sportfish

Walleye

Brassy olive buff color, sometimes shading to yellowish sides with a white belly. Distinguished by prominent sharp teeth, a large dark blotch at the rear base of the first dorsal fin, and a white-tipped lower tail lobe.

Yellow Perch

Yellowish with dark vertical bars. The tail fin is forked, and the dorsal fin is divided.

Smallmouth Bass

Dark olive/brown on the back, with lighter yellowish sides and belly. Distinguished by 8 to 15 dark vertical bars on the sides. The snout is long and bluntly pointed, and the lower jaw is slightly longer than the upper.

Largemouth Bass

Large head and large mouth, with an upper jaw that extends past the center of the eye in adults. The upper body is greenish with a silvery or brassy shine; the belly is white to yellow. An irregular dark stripe runs along the sides. Eyes are brown.

Bullhead

Blackish, dark olive, or dark brown on the back; greenish-white or bright yellow on the belly. The tail is not forked.

Channel Catfish

Pale bluish-olive above and bluish-white below. Distinguished by a long anal fin and deeply forked tail. Both dorsal and pectoral fins have strong, sharp spines. Mouth has chin and snout barbels.

Northern Pike

Long, slender, torpedo-shaped body with light-colored markings forming 7–9 horizontal rows on a dark background. Tail fins are rounded at the ends. Northern pike are fully scaled on the cheeks (distinguishing them from similar species).

Tiger Muskellunge

A hybrid of muskellunge and northern pike with a very elongated torpedo-like body. Most notable for its grey-green vertical bars along the sides. Can exceed 50 inches and 30 pounds.

Striped Bass

Bluish-black to dark grey or olive-green above, with silvery sides and white belly. Distinguished by 7–9 unbroken stripes along each side. The dorsal fins are clearly separated and the lower jaw is longer than the upper.

White Bass

Usually grey, charcoal, or green on the back with silvery sides and white belly. Has 5–7 longitudinal stripes per side. The body is deeper and less streamlined than striped bass.

Wiper

A hybrid of female striped bass and male white bass. Has 6–8 dark, horizontal broken stripes over a silver-white background with a dark charcoal to black back. Slightly heavier bodied than the striped bass; grows up to 12 pounds and 24 inches.

Black Crappie

Silver-olive with numerous random black or green splotches. Identified by 7 or 8 dorsal fin spines. Vertical bars are absent in adults. The belly is silvery to white.

White Crappie

Similar to black crappie, but with only 6 dorsal fin spines and splotches often arranged in vertical bars. Utah has only a few populations of white crappie.

Green Sunfish

Brassy-green or blue-green on the back, sometimes with metallic-green flecks and dusky bars. The flap over the gills is a dark color.

Bluegill

Shorter, deep-bodied fish named for the dark flap over the gills. The body is olive-green with vertical bars, and some blue and orange coloration may be present.

Key Utah Fishing Resources and Contact Information

License purchase: wildlife.utah.gov or call your local DWR office
Fish Utah interactive map: fish.utah.gov
Fish consumption advisories: fishadvisories.utah.gov
Harmful algal blooms: HABs.utah.gov
AIS (invasive species) boater requirements: STDofTheSea.utah.gov
Stream access information: wildlife.utah.gov/streamaccess
Utah Hunting & Fishing app: wildlife.utah.gov/mobileapp
Fishing records: wildlife.utah.gov/record-fish
Utah Cutthroat Slam: utahcutthroatslam.org
Turn in a poacher: Text 847411 or call 800-662-3337
Spanish-language guidebook: wildlife.utah.gov/guia

DWR Regional Offices (Open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)

Region	Address	Phone
Salt Lake City (HQ)	1594 W North Temple, SLC, UT 84114	801-538-4700
Central Region	1115 N Main Street, Springville, UT 84663	801-491-5678
Northeastern Region	318 N Vernal Avenue, Vernal, UT 84078	435-781-9453
Northern Region	515 E 5300 S, Ogden, UT 84405	801-476-2740
Southeastern Region	319 N Carbonville Road, Ste A, Price, UT 84501	435-613-3700
Southern Region	1470 N Airport Road, Cedar City, UT 84721	435-865-6100
Washington County Field Office	451 N SR-318, Hurricane, UT 84737	435-879-8694

Download full 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook

This article is a summary of the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook published by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Always verify current regulations at wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks before fishing, as emergency changes may occur due to drought, construction, dam repairs, or other factors.

Suggestions

Utah Fishing License and Regulations