Fishing

This information is NOT for you if you want to catch an exceptionally large trout or want to bring a fish home to impress your neighbor!  If you would just as soon catch a fish and let it go, like to walk, hike, get away from the crowds, be by yourself or maybe want to spend time with a buddy, catch some wild trout on dry flies, enjoy the scenery, and simply like the outdoors.... then read on.

The opportunities are highly variable.  Access ranges from easy walking to strenuous hiking.  Take your pick of wild rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, or brook trout.  Choose an adventure based on your particular desires and skills.  The trout are generally small compared to fish from reservoirs and the state's larger rivers, but other considerations can out-weigh fish size.  This information is especially for you if you like fishing small streams and think of "quality" in terms other than "how big".

Besides the streams listed in this pamphlet, there are many similar, small streams that are not listed, just waiting for an angler to discover a "favorite" spot.

Regulations (Catch-and-Release)

As some of these areas become more well-known and popular, over-fishing could reduce the numbers and size of wild trout populations.  In most cases, current fishing regulations are liberal, with the intent of not over-regulating or creating confusing rules.  Voluntary catch-and-release practices will help insure continued good fishing.  Good judgment and putting fish back especially important on smaller waters that can be over-fished.  In some cases, special fishing regulations might apply.  Before fishing, the current fishing proclamation should be checked to determine what rules apply on each stream.  Also, the map is not intended to provide an exact description of property boundaries.  It is the responsibility of each fisherman to be familiar with boundaries and ask permission to fish on private land.

1.  ANTIMONY CREEK, Garfield County.  This clear, cold-water stream is located southeast of Otter Creek Reservoir and the town of Antimony.  The fishable portion is located on the Dixie National Forest.  It is accessible by dirt road from the mouth of the canyon for several miles and then becomes accessible by foot trail along most of its length.  It is populated primarily with wild rainbow trout, although the lower section contains some brown trout.

2.  BEAVER CREEK, Piute County.  This stream flows off the east side of the Tushar Mountains and is accessible by dirt road going west from the Town of Marysvale.  It is located on the Fishlake National Forest and contains rainbow trout and a few cutthroat trout.  Some hatchery rainbow are stocked in the more accessible and heavily used areas.

3.  BOX CREEK, Piute County.  Rainbow trout and brook trout are found in this Monroe Mountain stream.  It is located on the Fishlake National Forest.  Good access is available from the bottom end of the canyon near the small community of Greenwich.

4.  BULLION CREEK, Piute County.  Very similar to Beaver Creek, this Tushar Mountain stream is also located near the town of Marysvale.  It contains rainbow and cutthroat trout.  A dirt road follows the lower end of the stream.  Some hatchery rainbow trout are stocked near a popular picnic area that was once a historic gold mining town.  The upper reaches of the stream are accessible only by hiking.

5.  COTTONWOOD CREEK, Piute County.  This stream flows off the east side of the Tushar Mountains not far from Piute Reservoir.  The lower half of the stream is accessible by dirt road, while the upper reaches can be accessed by hiking.  The stream contains wild cutthroat trout.  Most of the stream is located on the Fishlake National Forest.

6.  MANNING CREEK, Piute County.  This stream flows off the west side of the Monroe Mountain, just a few miles south of the town of Marysvale.  Manning Meadow Reservoir and Barney Reservoir are located on branches of the stream at the very headwaters.  Both of the reservoirs and the stream are managed with native Bonneville cutthroat trout.  The entire fishable portion of stream is located on public lands, which include the Fishlake National Forest, BLM, and Division of Wildlife Resources property.  The stream was renovated in 1996 to remove nonnative trout and restocked with native cutthroat trout.  It will take several years for these fish to reach full size and become abundant throughout the stream.  Vehicle access is available to the stream by dirt road at the mouth of the canyon on BLM lands.  The remainder of the stream (about 8 miles) can be accessed by hiking along a trail system.  Catch and release fishing is recommended.

Utah's Wild Trout

Brown trout -- are native to Europe and western Asia.  They were introduced into the United States in the late 1800's.  They seek overhead cover and dark shady places in streams.  They have a reputation of being hard to catch, but are most vulnerable to angling in small streams.  They tolerate lower elevation areas and warmer water better than most other trout

Brown trout

Rainbow trout -- are native to the west coast of North America and have been introduced into Utah.  They are widely produced in both public and private hatcheries, but wild populations thrive in small streams.  They often feed in open pools and runs which makes them susceptible to a well presented fly

Rainbow trout

Brook trout -- are native to the eastern United States and Canada, and are actually members of the char family rather than a true trout.  They can become abundant in cold streams and spring creeks, especially in headwater areas and are usually less abundant in lower, warmer portions of streams.  They are known for their brilliant coloration.

Brook trout

Cutthroat trout -- are the only trout native to the intermountain west and are often called "natives" by local fishermen.  A number of subspecies are recognized from different geographic areas of the west.  Bonneville cutthroat trout and Colorado River cutthroat trout are both native to southern Utah, and are still found in some streams in the Bonneville basin and the Colorado River basin, respectively.  Large numbers of cutthroat trout do not tolerate competition with other trout very well and are easily displaced.  They are susceptible to over-fishing and can hybridize with rainbow trout.

Bonneville cutthroat

Colorado River cutthroat

Fish of Utah - Species Identification

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