Ice Fishing in Utah
Utah reservoirs and mountain lakes where DWR writes about ice, quoted with sources, plus the winter rules.
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How this Utah ice list is built
This page gathers 38 Utah waters whose DWR Fish Utah description, access notes or directions mention ice. Each line below is quoted from DWR with its source; the site adds no ice thickness or safety claims of its own.
Ice changes day to day. Check the DWR report date on each water page and local conditions before walking out.
Utah DWR Fish Utah planner (dwrapps.utah.gov), read November 11, 2026.
Photo of Tooele: Terry Ott, CC BY 2.0
What DWR writes about ice on each Utah water
Deer Creek Reservoir
Ice typically forms on Deer Creek Reservoir by mid-December with ice off usually around the 1st of March.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Deer Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 31, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Otter Creek Reservoir
The vast majority of Otter Creek anglers use bait, regardless of whether they're fishing from the shore, ice, or a boat. Don't hesitate to use jigs through the ice.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Otter Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 2, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Fish Lake
This is one of the most popular places to ice fish in Utah. In fact, annual ice fishing pressure usually surpasses summer fishing, in terms of total hours spent by anglers.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Fish Lake (DWR last updated the page Oct 6, 2025), read November 11, 2026.
Minersville Reservoir
The largemouth bass do not appear to be able to establish a meaningful population Ice fishing in the winter can be productive at Minersville Reservoir, as long as temperatures are cold enough to produce safe ice. Minersville Reservoir is ice-free by late February to early March during most years.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Minersville Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 2, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Panguitch Lake
Hungry trout head for shallow water as ice melts in March or April. Trout will be active in the shallows all the way up to ice on.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Panguitch Lake (DWR last updated the page Sep 3, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
Navajo Lake
With its large littoral area producing a significant amount of vegetation and the long period of ice cover at this elevation, winter conditions are often marginal for trout. During the long winter, vegetation decomposes under the ice, using up oxygen that is already limited due to the shallow nature of the lake.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Navajo Lake (DWR last updated the page Aug 18, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Johnson Reservoir
Ice off and open access typically occur in mid May to early June. Runoff from Sevenmile Creek will keep the water murky for a few weeks after ice off.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Johnson Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 7, 2023), read November 11, 2026.
Steinaker Reservoir
Steinaker is also a popular swimming, boating and ice fishing water.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Steinaker Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 25, 2025), read November 11, 2026.
Koosharem Reservoir
Ice fishing is another great way to access open water that you can't reach the rest of the year.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Koosharem Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jun 4, 2019), read November 11, 2026.
Matt Warner Reservoir
Fishing can be good year round but spring, early summer, fall and early ice up seem to be the best times. While ice fishing at Matt Warner Reservoir can be excellent, road access is limited during the winter as the road to the reservoir is not plowed.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Matt Warner Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Apr 24, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
Huntington North Reservoir
Rainbow trout shore fishing is the best after ice-off until water surface temperature reaches between 50-55 degrees, and again in the fall when water temperatures decrease.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Huntington North Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 29, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
Tropic Reservoir
When access is possible in winter, browns can also be caught through the ice.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Tropic Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 5, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
Forsyth Reservoir
Bait anglers should focus on natural baits like night crawlers and cut bait (chub, sucker, frozen minnows).
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Forsyth Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 7, 2023), read November 11, 2026.
Mill Meadow Reservoir
Perch are especially popular for ice fishing.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Mill Meadow Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 7, 2023), read November 11, 2026.
Newcastle Reservoir
Ice fishing can be productive for trout, but the ice is often unsafe at this "low" elevation, so you're just as likely to be able to launch a float tube as access the ice in January. Stillfishing pieces of cut bait (chub, sucker, anchovies, frozen minnows) can be effective at night.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Newcastle Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 3, 2023), read November 11, 2026.
Wide Hollow Reservoir
Ice conditions are often unstable during the winter.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Wide Hollow Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 6, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Lower Bowns Reservoir
Because the reservoir is about 1,000 feet lower than the highway, spring access can often be limited by snow, even after the ice has come off.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Lower Bowns Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jun 4, 2019), read November 11, 2026.
Calder Reservoir
Solar aerators are present so be aware of dangerous ice conditions near the equipment in the winter.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Calder Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 8, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
Pine Lake
The road is not maintained during the winter, but ice fishing can be good if you can get there on an ATV or snowmobile.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Pine Lake (DWR last updated the page Nov 26, 2019), read November 11, 2026.
Baker Reservoir
The reservoir seldom freezes over during the winter and ice doesn't last long when it does.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Baker Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 9, 2023), read November 11, 2026.
Kens Lake
Rainbow trout shore fishing is the best after ice-off until water surface temperature reaches between 50-55 degrees, and again in the fall when water temperatures decrease.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Kens Lake (DWR last updated the page Sep 4, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Duck Fork Reservoir
Cutthroat and tiger trout will be active along the shoreline for several weeks after ice-off.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Duck Fork Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 29, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
Settlement Canyon Reservoir
Also a great spot for the ice fishing season.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Settlement Canyon Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Apr 12, 2021), read November 11, 2026.
Yankee Meadow Reservoir
Ice fishing can be very good at Yankee Meadow, but the road is not plowed in the winter so you may need an ATV or snowmobile to get there.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Yankee Meadow Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Dec 29, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
South Fork Ogden River
The river can also be unsafe to fish as ice builds over slower spots in the river during very cold spells.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Ogden River, South Fork (DWR last updated the page Jul 16, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
East Fork Sevier River (Black Canyon)
Because of the high water table and numerous springs, this section of stream never freezes.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for East Fork Sevier River, Black Canyon (DWR last updated the page Jul 15, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
East Fork Sevier River (Kingston Canyon)
High flows during irrigation season (summer) and ice cover during winter often make fishing difficult.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for East Fork Sevier River, Kingston Canyon (DWR last updated the page Sep 18, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
Lower Beaver River
Winter fishing is a little tougher as fish are easily spooked and surface ice often forms.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Beaver River, Lower (DWR last updated the page Dec 2, 2019), read November 11, 2026.
Duck Creek Pond / Aspen Mirror Lake
A large spring located next to the highway keeps Duck Creek Pond mostly ice-free during the winter.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Duck Creek Pond / Aspen Mirror Lake (DWR last updated the page Apr 26, 2019), read November 11, 2026.
Cove Pond
Site Rules: No ice fishing, no alcohol, no fires, no swimming, please clean up after yourself.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Cove Pond (DWR last updated the page Sep 24, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
Gigliotti Pond
This pond is open year-round and provides a highly accessible place for a quick ice fishing trip close to home.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Gigliotti Pond (DWR last updated the page Mar 29, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
Sevier River In Marysvale Canyon
Winter fishing can sometimes be restricted by surface ice.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Sevier River In Marysvale Canyon (DWR last updated the page Mar 5, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
Boulder Mountain Lakes
Ice fishing is allowed at many of the lakes on Boulder Mountain and can be good to insanely fast. Frozen minnows and cut bait can be effective for predatory tiger and splake trout, as well as big brook trout.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Boulder Mountain Lakes (DWR last updated the page Apr 13, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Cottonwood Reservoir
Water levels come up over winter causing unsafe ice conditions near the inlet of the reservoir.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Cottonwood Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Aug 7, 2025), read November 11, 2026.
Little Montes Reservoir
Little Montes is known for it's fast Bluegill fishing and has recently become a great place to go for fast fishing for Rainbow Trout through the ice.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Little Montes Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Aug 3, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Paragonah (Red Creek) Reservoir
Ice fishing can be very good if you can get there.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Paragonah (Red Creek) Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 3, 2023), read November 11, 2026.
Thousand Lake Mountain
Solomon Basin lakes are the first to ice off in the spring, usually between late April and mid May. Cut bait (chub, sucker) or frozen minnows can be effective for predatory splake and tiger trout.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Thousand Lake Mountain (DWR last updated the page Mar 7, 2023), read November 11, 2026.
Uinta Mountains, Mirror Lake Highway
During the winter, you'll need a snow machine for access but you'll find great ice fishing.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Uinta Mountains, Mirror Lake Highway (DWR last updated the page Jan 14, 2025), read November 11, 2026.
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Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30 to protect kokanee during the spawning season.
Utah has no separate ice season: the year-round season and the statewide limits apply on hard water as in summer, with any water entry from the guidebook. From January 1, 2027, the 2027 guidebook governs the ice season.
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 6 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Utah ice fishing, answered
Which Utah waters mention ice on Fish Utah?
38 waters with pages here, led by Deer Creek Reservoir, Otter Creek Reservoir and Fish Lake.
Does this page say when ice is safe?
No. It quotes DWR notes only; check local conditions and the dated DWR reports.
Is there a separate Utah ice fishing season?
No. The season runs all year on most waters under the same limits.
Can I keep kokanee through the ice in November?
No. Kokanee may not be possessed anywhere in Utah from September 10 through November 30.
Which guidebook covers ice season 2027?
The 2027 guidebook, in force from January 1, 2027.
Are ice tournaments listed?
DWR-authorized events, ice derbies included, are on the Utah tournaments page when organizers list them.
Do I need a license to ice fish?
Yes, unless you are under 12 or it is Free Fishing Day.
Why is my favorite ice lake missing?
Its Fish Utah text may not mention ice, or it waits in the release queue.