Fishing in Washington County, Utah
County seat: St. George. Census 2020 residents: 180,279.
- 12lake pages
- 10launches
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Washington County water by the numbers
St. George anchors Washington County as its seat, in a county the 2020 count put at 180,279 people. Its footprint in the Gazetteer is 2,428 square miles of land and 3 square miles of water. This site writes up 12 Utah lakes and reservoirs here; on size, Quail Creek Reservoir leads them. Among Blue Ribbon fisheries, Quail Creek Reservoir, Gunlock Reservoir and Kolob Reservoir sits in the county.
The merged UGRC and DWR launch list puts 10 launches in the county, and DWR maps 3 shore or pier points. Stratton Pond (Grandpa's Pond), Tawa Ponds and Skyline Pond appear on DWR's community fisheries list. The 2026 DWR table lists 142,393 fish stocked in the county over 61 rows and 14 waters.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 11, 2026. UGRC Boat Ramps layer (ArcGIS service) and the DWR Fish Utah access list, read November 11, 2026.
Utah ramps, reservoirs and shore points in Washington County
UGRC Boat Ramps layer (ArcGIS service) and the DWR Fish Utah access list, read November 11, 2026. Lake pins are the DWR map point for each water.
Utah reservoirs worth fishing in Washington County
| Lake | Size | Launches | Status | DWR lists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quail Creek Reservoir | about 616 acres of mapped outline | 3 | Blue Ribbon fishery | bluegill, largemouth bass, rainbow trout |
| Gunlock Reservoir | about 252 acres of mapped outline | 1 | Blue Ribbon fishery | black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie Black, sunfish Bluegill, bass Largemouth |
| Kolob Reservoir | 250 acres | 3 | Blue Ribbon fishery | bonneville cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, cutbow Ctbl*Rtwv |
| Baker Reservoir | 63 acres | 0 | reservoir | rainbow trout, tiger trout, crappie Black, bass Largemouth |
| Stratton Pond (Grandpa's Pond) | 15 acres | 0 | community fishery | rainbow trout |
| Tawa Ponds | 1.3 acres | 0 | community fishery | bluegill, green sunfish, largemouth bass, rainbow trout |
| Skyline Pond | 1.2 acres | 0 | community fishery | rainbow trout |
| Razor Ridge Pond | 0.9 acres | 0 | community fishery | rainbow trout |
| Sullivan Virgin River Park Pond | 0.4 acres | 0 | community fishery | rainbow trout |
| Enterprise Reservoirs | no DWR figure | 2 | reservoir | rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, cutbow Ctbl*Rtwv, brown trout, kokanee salmon, bonneville cutthroat trout |
| Pine Valley Reservoir | no DWR figure | 0 | reservoir | rainbow trout |
| Sand Hollow Reservoir | 1300 | 1 | Blue Ribbon fishery | bluegill, largemouth bass |
Size as the DWR Fish Utah page for this water prints it (DWR), read November 11, 2026. Waters with no DWR acreage print their mapped outline instead. Utah DWR Fish Utah planner (dwrapps.utah.gov), read November 11, 2026.
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The count covers DWR lists on lakes within 40 miles of St. George, with rainbow trout in front.
DWR Fish Utah species lists (likely or possible), counted per lake page within 40 miles; DWR’s ratings, not a catch survey. Utah DWR Fish Utah planner (dwrapps.utah.gov), read November 11, 2026.
The short list: lesser Utah lakes in Washington County
Another 5 waters in Washington County have a name on the state maps and little else in print.
| Water | Size | Listed by |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Enterprise Reservoir | about 354 acres of mapped outline | UGRC lakes layer |
| Ash Creek Reservoir | about 55 acres of mapped outline | UGRC lakes layer |
| Lower Enterprise Reservoir | about 50 acres of mapped outline | UGRC lakes layer |
| Blue Springs Reservoir | about 43 acres of mapped outline | UGRC lakes layer |
| Upper Sand Cove Reservoir | about 13 acres of mapped outline | UGRC lakes layer |
Outline area from the UGRC Utah Lakes NHD layer (ArcGIS service; mapped polygon area, not a DWR surface-acre figure), read November 11, 2026. Listed waters are not claimed to hold fish. Utah DWR Fish Utah planner (dwrapps.utah.gov), read November 11, 2026.
Streams crossing Washington County
Current streamflow in Washington County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Virgin River Near Springdale, Ut | 310 cfs, 7.04 ft gage height | Nov 14 6:20 pm |
| North Fork Virgin River Near Springdale, Ut | 246 cfs, 8.54 ft gage height | Nov 14 6:20 pm |
| Virgin River At Virgin, Ut | 1,050 cfs, 9.94 ft gage height | Nov 14 6:15 pm |
| Virgin River Ab La Verkin Creek Nr La Verkin, Ut | 1,450 cfs, 14.24 ft gage height | Nov 14 6:10 pm |
| Leeds Creek Near Leeds, Ut | 27 cfs, 3.41 ft gage height | Nov 14 6:00 pm |
| Virgin River Ab Quail Creek Near Hurricane, Ut | 1,750 cfs, 11.39 ft gage height | Nov 14 6:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 14, 2026 6:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Utah DWR Fish Utah planner (dwrapps.utah.gov), read November 11, 2026. USGS Water Data for the Nation, live through the site, retrieved on page view.
Ramps and hand launches in Washington County
- Gunlock State Park Boat RampGunlock Reservoir, boat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by Utah State Parks in the UGRC layer, fire rings, hand launch, picnic tables
- Kolob Reservoir Boat RampKolob Reservoir, boat ramp, hiking, mountain biking, OHV or 4WD trails
- Kolob Reservoir West shore Hand LaunchKolob Reservoir, hand launch, hand launch, hiking, mountain biking
- Northwest shore Hand Launch at Kolob ReservoirKolob Reservoir, hand launch, hand launch, hiking, mountain biking
- Quail Creek State Park Boat RampQuail Creek Reservoir, boat ramp, camp host, covered Picnic ares, docks – accessible
- Quail Creek State Park north Boat RampQuail Creek Reservoir, boat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by a private operator in the UGRC layer
- Quail Creek State Park south Boat RampQuail Creek Reservoir, boat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by a private operator in the UGRC layer
- Sand Hollow State Park Boat RampSand Hollow Reservoir, boat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by Utah State Parks in the UGRC layer, camp host, drinking water, electrical hook-us
- Upper Enterprise Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area Hand Launch at Enterprise ReservoirsEnterprise Reservoirs, hand launch, hand launch, OHV or 4WD trails, primitive (Tent)
- Upper Enterprise Reservoir Boat Ramp at Enterprise ReservoirsEnterprise Reservoirs, boat ramp, restrooms
Bank spots within Washington County
- Baker Dam CampgroundBaker Reservoir, shore access
- Honeycomb Rocks Campground at Enterprise ReservoirsEnterprise Reservoirs, shore access
- Pine Valley Recreation Area Fishing PierPine Valley Reservoir, fishing pier
UGRC Boat Ramps layer (ArcGIS service) and the DWR Fish Utah access list, read November 11, 2026. Neither layer publishes fees or opening hours.
Where DWR stocked fish in Washington County this year
DWR abbreviates water names in its table; they print here as DWR wrote them, newest first.
| Date | Water as DWR prints it | County | Fish | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 27, 2026 | BAKER RES | Washington | 370 | Tiger trout |
| October 27, 2026 | BAKER RES | Washington | 632 | Rainbow |
| October 26, 2026 | QUAIL CR RES | Washington | 1,438 | Rainbow |
| October 26, 2026 | QUAIL CR RES | Washington | 21,930 | Rainbow |
| October 26, 2026 | QUAIL CR RES | Washington | 5,750 | Rainbow |
| October 15, 2026 | SAND COVE RES, UPPER | Washington | 2,530 | Rainbow |
| October 1, 2026 | BAKER RES | Washington | 1,000 | Tiger trout |
| September 24, 2026 | BAKER RES | Washington | 3,500 | Rainbow |
| September 23, 2026 | BAKER RES | Washington | 1,500 | Rainbow |
| September 23, 2026 | WILLOW SPRING POND | Washington | 500 | Rainbow |
DWR fish stocking table for 2026, year to date (DWR stocking report; water names are DWR abbreviations), read November 11, 2026.
Utah harvest rows covering Washington County
The limits here are from the 2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, which takes effect January 1, 2027; the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook stays in force through December 31, 2026 and differs only where a row says so. The statewide table covers every Washington County lake and stream the guidebook does not list by name. Plan on $40 with Utah residency or $120 without it for an adult 365-day license; anglers under 12 need none.
| Species group | 2027 daily limit | 2026 daily limit | Guidebook note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baitfish (common carp, fathead minnow, redside shiner, Utah sucker, Utah chub, white sucker) | No limit | same | (NEW) Formerly called "nongame species"; baitfish species are listed on page 20. |
| Black crappie and white crappie (a combined total) | 50 | same | – |
| Bluegill and green sunfish (a combined total) | 50 | same | – |
| Bonneville cisco | 30 | same | – |
| Bullhead | 24 | same | – |
| Burbot | No limit | same | REMINDER: Do not release any burbot you catch. All burbot caught must be immediately killed. |
| Channel catfish | 8 | same | – |
| Community fisheries | 2 | 2 | The limit includes fish of most species. All tiger muskellunge must be released. NEW: There are restrictions for largemouth bass at some waters. See page 39. |
| Crayfish | No limit | same | REMINDER: You may use bait to catch crayfish on waters where bait use is prohibited for fish, as long as none of the lines have hooks attached. |
| Kokanee salmon | See trout limit | same | Kokanee salmon are part of the total trout limit. Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass (a combined total) | 6 | same | – |
| Northern pike | 20, only 1 over 36 inches | same | – |
Special limits in Washington County
- Baker ReservoirRainbow Trout: Trout, a combined limit of 4. (Fish Utah page)
- Gunlock ReservoirLimit 100 black crappie. (2027 guidebook, p. 42)
- Kolob ReservoirLimit 2 trout (must be under 15 inches or over 22 inches). (2027 guidebook, p. 44)
- Pine Valley ReservoirFishing from a boat or float tube is unlawful. (2027 guidebook, p. 48)
- Quail Creek ReservoirNo limit on smallmouth bass. (2027 guidebook, p. 50)
- Razor Ridge PondThe daily limit is 2 fish, in any combination – Anglers are encouraged to voluntarily release largemouth bass. (Fish Utah page)
- Sand Hollow ReservoirLimit 8 largemouth bass of any size. (2027 guidebook, p. 50)
- Skyline PondThe daily limit is 2 fish in any combination. (Fish Utah page)
- Stratton Pond (Grandpa's Pond)The daily limit is 2 fish in any combination. (Fish Utah page)
- Sullivan Virgin River Park PondThe daily limit is 2 trout. (Fish Utah page)
- Tawa PondsThe daily limit is 2 fish in any combination. (Fish Utah page)
Utah special-regulation waters
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026. License prices as printed in the 2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 8 (the 2026 guidebook prints the same prices; checked against the DWR fees page), read November 11, 2026.
Utah record fish tied to Washington County water
| Species | Weight or length as listed | Water | Year | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 2 lbs. 8 oz. | Quail Creek Reservoir | 2024 | catch and keep |
| Hybrid sunfish | 1 lb. 1 oz. | Sand Hollow Reservoir | 2025 | catch and keep |
| Black bullhead | 17 ⅝" | Quail Creek Reservoir | 2026 | catch and release (length) |
| Green sunfish | 11 ¼" | Quail Creek Reservoir | 2014 | catch and release (length) |
Utah state record fish as DWR lists them (records page), read November 11, 2026.
The Utah weigh-in calendar for Washington County
3 listings from DWR and organizers name Washington County water, 3 still upcoming.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 14, 2026 | SUBA Sand Hollow Fall | Sand Hollow Reservoir | Southern Utah Bass Anglers |
| Nov. 21, 2026 | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | Sand Hollow Reservoir | Ultimate Bass Team Tour, LLC (Cedar City, Utah) |
| Dec. 5, 2026 | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | Sand Hollow Reservoir | Ultimate Bass Team Tour, LLC (Cedar City, Utah) |
Event as listed by the organizer (source), read November 11, 2026.
Buying bait inside Washington County
Utah tackle listings in Washington County
- Al's Sporting Goods, 1770 Red Cliffs Drivebait and tackle shop, St. George
- Dick's Sporting Goods, 15 S River Rdbait and tackle shop, Saint George
- Gitzit Incbait and tackle shop, Saint George
- Sportsman's Warehouse, 2957 E 850 Nbait and tackle shop, St. George
Yellow Pages, Utah State Parks and NPS listings (city of business), read November 11, 2026.
Minutes from Washington County by road
Towns in Washington County with their own pages
- St. George2020 count 95,342
- Washington2020 count 27,993
- Hurricane2020 count 20,036
- Ivins2020 count 8,978
- Santa Clara2020 count 7,553
- La Verkin2020 count 4,354
- Enterprise2020 count 2,027
- Toquerville2020 count 1,870
- Hildale2020 count 1,127
The Utah counties around Washington County
- Iron County46 miles north
- Beaver County77 miles north
- Kane County92 miles east
- Piute County105 miles northeast
Piscifun rods, reels and pliers worth a look before Washington County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Beehive State fish to recognize at Washington County
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Aszazin, CC BY-SA 3.0
The questions Washington County anglers trade
Are there public launches in Washington County?
UGRC and DWR map 10 launches inside the county.
Which water in Washington County has the biggest DWR size figure?
Quail Creek Reservoir, at about 616 acres of mapped outline.
Which fish does DWR rate near Washington County?
Fish Utah rates rainbow trout likely or possible on the most lakes within 40 miles, then green sunfish, black crappie and bluegill.
Which Utah shops in Washington County carry tackle?
Al's Sporting Goods, 1770 Red Cliffs Drive is one of 4 listed here.
From which Utah town does Washington County govern?
St. George.
How much is a Utah license for a trip to Washington County?
Both Utah guidebooks list $40 for the resident adult license and $120 for nonresidents, each valid 365 days.
Which Utah county pages sit near Washington County?
Look at Iron County, Beaver County and Kane County.
How many trout does Utah let me keep in Washington County?
Statewide, the trout, kokanee and grayling row sets a daily limit 4 under the 2027 guidebook; the 2026 guidebook prints the same number. Waters with their own entry can differ.
Do any Washington County waters have their own Utah rules?
11 waters with a page here carry their own rules, beginning with Baker Reservoir.
Does Washington County have a Blue Ribbon fishery?
Quail Creek Reservoir, Gunlock Reservoir and Kolob Reservoir, on DWR's Blue Ribbon list.
Which Washington County waters get DWR hatchery fish?
The 2026 DWR table lists 142,393 fish in 61 rows across 14 waters in the county.
Do Utah clubs hold events in Washington County?
3 entries on file; the next is SUBA Sand Hollow Fall on Sand Hollow Reservoir, Nov. 14, 2026.
Is Washington County water on the DWR record list?
Bluegill, 2 lbs. 8 oz., from Quail Creek Reservoir (2024).
Work the DWR lakes and streams of Washington County
Check a water's guidebook entry before keeping fish.