Utah Fishing Charters
Utah fishing charters range from fly-fishing remote alpine streams to trolling deep reservoirs for lake trout and kokanee.
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Top Rated Charters in Utah
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Utah Fishing Guide
Utah’s fishing scene is all about variety across elevation. You’ve got desert reservoirs holding wipers and stripers, alpine lakes stuffed with brook trout, and tailwaters where fly anglers chase picky browns on 6x tippet. Most charter or guide trips here focus on freshwater—drift boat fly fishing, stillwater trolling, and ice fishing in the high country. You won’t find saltwater, but you will find some serious depth at Flaming Gorge, or spooky-clear water up on Boulder Mountain.
Utah Lake near Provo is shallow and murky, but it’s got slab white bass, catfish, and carp if you know where to drift bait rigs. Deer Creek and Jordanelle see a lot of kayak anglers and small-boat trolling setups—good for rainbows, perch, and smallmouth. Down south, Lake Powell is a different beast: canyon walls, stripers on live shad, and deep jigging for walleye. That one fishes more like a western offshore trip—long runs, variable winds, and fish stacked on humps and ledges.
Most local guides offer half or full-day trips, often with all tackle included. Fly outfits work out of places like the Provo or Green River, running drift boats and walk-in access. Conventional guides on bigger water often run aluminum deep-Vs or bass boats, especially up at Strawberry, Flaming Gorge, or Powell. Plan for long drives between regions, and bring layers—temps can swing 30 degrees from dawn to mid-day. Ice-out can be late at higher lakes, and runoff season makes rivers tricky in late spring.
Regional Fishing Highlights
Northern Rivers (Provo, Weber, Logan)
Fly anglers spend a lot of time on the Middle and Lower Provo, targeting browns with midges, PMDs, and sowbugs. Walk-wade is common, though the Lower gets drifted when flows allow. Logan River holds cutthroat and small wild browns, with pocket water and dry-dropper setups. Weber fishes best in spring and fall, with good streamer action when flows bump.
Flaming Gorge & Green River
The Gorge is a trophy lake trout and kokanee fishery. Guides troll deep with downriggers and planer boards in summer, while ice fishermen work tube jigs and sonar mid-winter. Below the dam, the Green River’s A, B, and C sections are famous drift-fishing runs—cold, clear water stacked with browns and rainbows. Most fly guides here run hard-sided drift boats and stay dialed in on hatches.
Central Reservoirs (Strawberry, Jordanelle, Deer Creek)
Strawberry puts out fat rainbows and cutthroat, especially in spring and fall. Stillwater fly anglers use chironomids and leeches under indicators, while trolling spoons and dodgers works year-round. Jordanelle and Deer Creek fish well from boats or kayaks—good numbers of smallmouth, perch, and the occasional trout. Structure and wind are key factors here.
Lake Powell
Striper schools can be found by chasing birds or scanning sonar near dam walls and main-lake points. Bait fishing with anchovies or trolling crankbaits works well. Largemouth and smallmouth cruise brush lines and coves. Early morning topwater can be productive, but Powell requires covering water and knowing fuel locations—it’s big country down there.
Southern Utah Streams & High Lakes
Boulder Mountain and the Escalante region have dozens of small lakes full of brookies, tigers, and cutthroat. Many require hiking or 4×4 access. Light spinning gear or fly rods with dries and small buggers do the trick. Fremont River and other Freemont tributaries offer technical small stream trout fishing with spring-fed clarity and spooky fish.
Fishing Seasons in Utah
Spring
Reservoirs open up, and trout go shallow. Ice-off at Strawberry and the Gorge means trolling near shore or fly casting from float tubes. Rivers run high but warm up quickly, bringing out stoneflies and BWOs. Carp and catfish start showing up on flats in Utah Lake.
Summer
High country lakes peak—backpack-in brook trout and tiger trout action is best early and late in the day. Stripers stack up deep at Powell and Flaming Gorge, so it’s sonar-and-downrigger season. River flows drop, making the Provo and Green fishable with hoppers and terrestrials.
Fall
Best overall time to fish Utah. Browns stage for the spawn and eat big streamers, kokanee turn red in tributaries, and lake trout go shallow. Cool mornings and stable weather mean active fish and light pressure. Deer Creek and Jordanelle are solid for smallmouth and perch.
Winter
Ice fishing is king across mid- and high-elevation lakes. Strawberry, Scofield, and the Gorge are popular, with anglers using sonar to drop tube jigs for trout and kokanee. River fishing slows but remains an option on tailwaters like the Provo or Green. Bundle up—it gets bitter.
Most Popular Gamefish in Utah
- Brown Trout – 12–24 inches. Found in Provo, Green, and Logan Rivers. Hit streamers, nymphs, and dries depending on season and flows.
- Rainbow Trout – 10–20 inches. Stocked in reservoirs like Jordanelle and Deer Creek. Caught on spoons, bait, or stillwater flies.
- Cutthroat Trout – 12–22 inches. Thrive in Strawberry and Boulder Mountain lakes. Take small jigs, flies, and troll spoons.
- Lake Trout – 20–40+ inches. Deep trolling in Flaming Gorge or ice fishing with jigs and sonar.
- Kokanee Salmon – 12–18 inches. Troll dodgers and hoochies at Flaming Gorge, usually mid-summer into fall.
- Wiper – 15–25 inches. Found in Willard Bay and Newcastle. Caught on crankbaits, spoons, and live bait near structure.
- Striped Bass – 18–30+ inches. Lake Powell fishery. Bait schools or troll main-lake channels.
- White Bass – 8–14 inches. Utah Lake in spring. Hit jigs, spinners, and topwater when spawning.
- Smallmouth Bass – 10–18 inches. Jordanelle, Deer Creek, and Powell. Target rocky points and drop-offs.
- Channel Catfish – 2–10 pounds. Found in Utah Lake and warm reservoirs. Caught on cut bait, stink bait, and worms.
Utah Fishing FAQs
Do I need a fishing license in Utah?
Yes, anyone 12 or older needs a Utah fishing license. You can get one online or at most tackle shops.
What are the best trout rivers in Utah?
The Provo and Green Rivers are the most well-known, with healthy brown and rainbow trout populations and good guide services.
Can I keep fish from Lake Powell?
Yes, especially striped bass. In fact, they encourage you to harvest stripers to manage the population.
When does ice fishing season start?
Ice usually forms by mid-December on higher lakes like Strawberry and Scofield, but it depends on elevation and weather.
What’s the best lake for kokanee in Utah?
Flaming Gorge is your top bet for consistent kokanee action, especially mid-summer when they school deep.
Are there good fishing guides in southern Utah?
Yes, though they’re more limited. Lake Powell has experienced guides, and some outfitters offer trips into Boulder Mountain or the Fremont River.
Is fly fishing good year-round?
On tailwaters like the Lower Provo and Green River, yes. Winter midge hatches can still produce.
What’s a wiper?
It’s a hybrid between white bass and striped bass. Hard fighting and found mostly in places like Willard Bay.
Can I fish with kids in Utah Lake?
Absolutely. Utah Lake is great for kids—easy access, plenty of bites, and forgiving gear setups. Just watch the wind.