Deer Creek Reservoir Fishing
A Utah reservoir of 2,965 acres in Wasatch County.
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A Utah profile of Deer Creek Reservoir
Fish Utah lists Deer Creek Reservoir as 2,965 acres of water in Wasatch County. Its mapped UGRC outline adds up to about 2,544 acres of mapped outline. The Census place of Midway sits about 5 miles out.
Blue Ribbon status comes with it from DWR. It has 5 launches on the UGRC and DWR lists. For fishing without a boat, DWR lists 4 shore and pier points. Read its 2 rule lines before keeping fish.
Size as the DWR Fish Utah page for Deer Creek Reservoir prints it (DWR), read November 11, 2026.
Outline area from the UGRC Utah Lakes NHD layer (ArcGIS service; mapped polygon area, not a DWR surface-acre figure), read November 11, 2026.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Deer Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 31, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 11, 2026.
Background on Deer Creek Reservoir from DWR
Utah DWR's own words on Deer Creek Reservoir:
Construction of Deer Creek Reservoir began in 1938 and was completed in 1955. Deer Creek State Park was established in 1971, allowing for recreational boating in addition to angling. The shoreline is publicly owned allowing for shoreline access all around the reservoir.
The route DWR gives for Deer Creek Reservoir: From Heber, Utah head south on US-189 for approximately 4 miles. From Provo, Utah take N University Ave to Provo Canyon/US-189.
From the DWR notes on fish and access at Deer Creek Reservoir:
The Sailboat Beach Day-Use Area at Deer Creek State Park will be closed to all public access beginning May 1, 2023, for construction as part of the Deer Creek Intake Project. The closure is expected to last until spring 2026.
DWR access points at Deer Creek Reservoir list boat Ramp, picnic covered area, restrooms, swimming, waterskiing, wildlife watching, cycling and hiking.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Deer Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 31, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Fish DWR lists at Deer Creek Reservoir
Fish Utah sorts the Deer Creek Reservoir species by how likely DWR thinks a catch is.
| Species | DWR rating |
|---|---|
| Bullhead | invasive species |
| White bass | invasive species |
| Largemouth bass | likely |
| Rainbow trout | likely |
| Smallmouth bass | likely |
| Walleye | likely |
| Black crappie | possible |
| Bluegill | possible |
| Brown trout | possible |
| Common carp | possible |
| Bonneville cutthroat trout | possible |
| Green sunfish | possible |
| Utah sucker | possible |
| Yellow perch | possible |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Deer Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 31, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
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DWR's Fish Utah page for Deer Creek Reservoir shows these recent plants; the average length column carries no unit because DWR prints none.
| Date | Species | Number | Average length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 19, 2026 | Rainbow | 2,691 | 9.42 |
| Nov 19, 2026 | Rainbow | 2,691 | 9.42 |
| Nov 3, 2026 | Rainbow | 2,691 | 9.42 |
| Nov 3, 2026 | Rainbow | 2,691 | 9.42 |
| Nov 2, 2026 | Rainbow | 828 | 10.65 |
| Nov 2, 2026 | Rainbow | 2,433 | 9.65 |
| Nov 2, 2026 | Rainbow | 297 | 10.81 |
| Oct 28, 2026 | Rainbow | 2,691 | 9.42 |
| Oct 28, 2026 | Rainbow | 2,691 | 9.42 |
| Oct 19, 2026 | Rainbow | 2,691 | 9.42 |
| Oct 19, 2026 | Rainbow | 2,691 | 9.42 |
| Oct 19, 2026 | Rainbow | 2,691 | 9.42 |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Deer Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 31, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
DWR report notes for Deer Creek Reservoir
Fishing forecast (September- November): Lower water should concentrate fish throughout the reservoir. The Rainbow Trout bite should pick up as fall progresses, and fish can occupy shallower water as it cools. Walleye should also begin to push shallower in early mornings and evenings to chase and feed on rainbows.
DWR dated this Deer Creek Reservoir report Sep 18, 2026; conditions may have moved on since.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Deer Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 31, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Utah launch ramps serving Deer Creek Reservoir
- Charleston Day-Use Boat Ramp at Deer Creek Reservoirboat ramp, picnic covered area, restrooms, swimming
- Deer Creek Island Boat Rampboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by Utah State Parks in the UGRC layer
- Deer Creek State Park Boat Rampboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by Utah State Parks in the UGRC layer
- Island Beach Day-Use Boat Ramp at Deer Creek Reservoirboat ramp, covered Picnic ares, hand launch, picnic tables
- Main State Park Area Boat Ramp at Deer Creek Reservoirboat ramp, electrical hook-us, fishing piers – accessible, picnic tables – accessible
Utah bank spots around Deer Creek Reservoir
- Deer Creek Trail Shore Accessshore access, cycling, hiking, swimming
- Rainbow Bay Day-Use Shore Access at Deer Creek Reservoirshore access, covered Picnic ares, picnic tables – accessible, restrooms
- US-189 Northeast Corner Shore Access at Deer Creek Reservoirshore access, swimming
- Wallsburg Bay Walk-In Shore Access at Deer Creek Reservoirshore access, hiking, swimming, wildlife watching
Utah ramps a short tow past Deer Creek Reservoir
- Trestle Crossing Hand Launch at Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam)Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam), 6 miles southwest
- Primitive Pull-off 1 Hand Launch at Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam)Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam), 7 miles southwest
- Vivian Park Hand Launch at Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam)Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam), 7 miles southwest
- Jordanelle State Park-Hailstone South Boat RampJordanelle Reservoir, 13 miles north
- Jordanelle State Park-Hailstone North Boat RampJordanelle Reservoir, 13 miles north
Neither the UGRC layer nor Fish Utah gives launch fees, hours or lane counts for Deer Creek Reservoir, so none are printed; parks and marinas post their own.
UGRC Boat Ramps layer (ArcGIS service) and the DWR Fish Utah access list, read November 11, 2026.
Utah gauge readings for Deer Creek Reservoir
Reclamation daily values for Deer Creek Reservoir, November 5, 2026.
Bureau of Reclamation Upper Colorado Region reservoir data (hydrodata), latest daily values, read November 11, 2026. Provisional.
USGS gauge values for Deer Creek Reservoir load live; Reclamation figures are daily values with their date.
Utah limits that apply at Deer Creek Reservoir
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.
How Deer Creek Reservoir departs from the statewide limits
- Deer Creek ReservoirNo limit on black bullhead catfish. Anglers must not release any black bullhead catfish they catch. All black bullhead catfish must be immediately killed. (2027 guidebook, p. 38)
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 38 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Rule text from the DWR Fish Utah entry for Deer Creek Reservoir, unedited (DWR marks them updated Apr 22, 2019):
- No limit on White Bass or Black Bullhead Catfish. Anglers must not release any White Bass or Black Bullhead Catfish they catch. All White Bass or Black Bullhead Catfish must be immediately killed. Closed to the use of underwater spearfishing to take Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass from April 1 through fourth Saturday in June.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Deer Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 31, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Utah baseline limits for the fish of Deer Creek Reservoir
| Species group | 2027 daily limit | 2026 daily limit | Note as printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black crappie and white crappie (a combined total) | 50 | same | – |
| Bluegill and green sunfish (a combined total) | 50 | same | – |
| Bullhead | 24 | same | – |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass (a combined total) | 6 | same | – |
| Trout, kokanee salmon and Arctic grayling (a combined total) | 4 | same | Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30. |
| Walleye | 10, only 1 over 24 inches | same | – |
| Yellow perch | 50 | same | – |
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 9 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Possession, as the Utah rule defines it for Deer Creek Reservoir and every other water: "Possession limit means, for purposes of this rule only, two daily limits, including fish in a cooler, camper, tent, freezer, livewell or any other place of storage, excluding fish stored in an individual’s permanent residence."
Utah Admin. Code R657-13 (R657-13-2), last changed June 23, 2026 as printed on the DWR rules page, read November 11, 2026.
Anglers 12 and older need a Utah fishing license; both the 2026 and 2027 guidebooks print $40 for a resident 365-day adult license and $120 for a nonresident.
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.
Deer Creek Reservoir as a Blue Ribbon fishery
DWR's Blue Ribbon list marks Deer Creek Reservoir as one of the waters its program singles out for quality fishing and access; the label is DWR's, quoted from Fish Utah.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Deer Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 31, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Utah record fish DWR credits to Deer Creek Reservoir
| Species | Weight or length | Year | Place as DWR prints it | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain whitefish | 4 lbs. 12 oz. | 1997 | Deer Creek Reservoir | catch and keep |
| Black crappie | 1 lb. 14 oz. | 2020 | Deer Creek Reservoir | spearfishing |
| Yellow perch | 15 oz. | 2023 | Deer Creek Reservoir | spearfishing |
| Walleye | 13 lbs. 8 oz. | 2024 | Deer Creek Reservoir | spearfishing |
Utah state record fish as DWR lists them (records page), read November 11, 2026.
Neighboring Utah lakes and Deer Creek Reservoir
The biggest neighbor here is Silver Lake Flat Reservoir (American Fork Canyon), which DWR sizes at 45 acres.
| Water | Distance | Size | County | Launches | Species on DWR list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Creek Reservoir | 2,965 acres | Wasatch County | 5 | 14 | |
| Wasatch Mtn State Park Pond | 6 miles north | 1.5 acres | Wasatch County | 0 | 5 |
| Vivian Park Pond (Provo Canyon) | 7 miles southwest | 1 acres | Utah County | 0 | 2 |
| Tibble Fork Reservoir | 8 miles west | 21 acres | Utah County | 0 | 5 |
| Silver Lake Flat Reservoir (American Fork Canyon) | 10 miles northwest | 45 acres | Utah County | 0 | 5 |
| Lake Catherine | 11 miles northwest | about 3 acres of mapped outline | Salt Lake County | 0 | 1 |
DWR Fish Utah pages, UGRC Boat Ramps and Lakes NHD layers; outline sizes are GIS figures. Read November 11, 2026.
A short way past Deer Creek Reservoir
Other Utah reservoirs near Deer Creek Reservoir
- Wasatch Mtn State Park Pond6 miles north
- Vivian Park Pond (Provo Canyon)7 miles southwest
- Tibble Fork Reservoir8 miles west
- Silver Lake Flat Reservoir (American Fork Canyon)10 miles northwest
- Lake Catherine11 miles northwest
Shops the Deer Creek Reservoir regulars use
- Discount Quality Fliesbait and tackle shop, Midway, 5 miles
- Four Seasons Fly Fishersfly shop, Heber City, 6 miles
- Fish Heads Fly Shopfly shop, Heber City, 6 miles
- Jordanelle Rentals & Marinamarina, Heber City, 13 miles
- Eddie Robinson's Flyfishingfly shop, Orem, 15 miles
- Al's Sporting Goods, 643 E University Pkwybait and tackle shop, Orem, 15 miles
Finding a bed close to Deer Creek Reservoir
- Midway5 miles
- Heber City9 miles
- Lindon14 miles
Utah county pages that cover Deer Creek Reservoir
- Wasatch Countyseat: Heber City
Piscifun gear a Beehive State angler could bring to Deer Creek Reservoir
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Canyon walls and alpine shorelines by Deer Creek Reservoir through a lens
Photo: Chispero, CC BY 2.0
Photo: sf-dvs, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Bureau of Reclamation, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Terry Ott, CC BY 2.0
Questions to settle before the Utah drive to Deer Creek Reservoir
Where in Utah is Deer Creek Reservoir?
Look in Wasatch County; the nearest Census town, Midway, is about 5 miles away.
How big does DWR say Deer Creek Reservoir is?
Fish Utah says 2,965 acres; the UGRC outline is about 2,544 acres of mapped outline.
Which launches does Deer Creek Reservoir have?
There are 5 launches, including Charleston Day-Use Boat Ramp at Deer Creek Reservoir.
Which fish does Fish Utah name for Deer Creek Reservoir?
DWR lists largemouth bass, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass and walleye; its ratings are odds, not promises.
Which Utah rules apply at Deer Creek Reservoir?
There are 2 rule lines on file, shown word for word in the limits band.
Which Utah license covers a day at Deer Creek Reservoir?
Anglers 12 and older need a Utah fishing license; both the 2026 and 2027 guidebooks print $40 for a resident 365-day adult license and $120 for a nonresident. Kids younger than 12 fish free.
Does DWR list a fishing pier at Deer Creek Reservoir?
DWR lists 4 shore and pier points; Deer Creek Trail Shore Access is one.
Which Utah tackle shop is nearest Deer Creek Reservoir?
Nearest listed: Discount Quality Flies, about 5 miles away.
What did the latest reading at Deer Creek Reservoir show?
See the level band: live USGS values and dated Reclamation readings.
Does DWR stock Deer Creek Reservoir?
DWR logs 30 stocking rows; most recent Nov 19, 2026, rainbow.
Is Deer Creek Reservoir in the Utah record book?
DWR credits Deer Creek Reservoir with a mountain whitefish of 4 lbs. 12 oz., year 1997.
Is Deer Creek Reservoir a Blue Ribbon fishery?
It is on DWR's Blue Ribbon list.
Save a morning for Deer Creek Reservoir
Buy the DWR license before you tow the boat.