Fish Lake Fishing
A Utah natural lake of 2,500 acres in Sevier County.
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Fish Lake at a Beehive State glance
Fish Lake covers 2,500 acres on the DWR map page and belongs to Sevier County. A UGRC outline puts the shoreline around about 2,582 acres of mapped outline. Supplies wait in Monroe, around 23 miles by straight line.
Utah DWR counts it among its Blue Ribbon fisheries. Our merged launch list has 5 launches for it. Shore casters get 6 shore and pier points. There are 17 rule lines written for it.
Size as the DWR Fish Utah page for Fish Lake 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 Fish Lake (DWR last updated the page Oct 6, 2025), read November 11, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 11, 2026.
What DWR writes about Fish Lake
From the DWR Fish Utah description of Fish Lake:
Fish Lake is one of Utah's most scenic and popular fishing destinations. It is located in the Fishlake National Forest southeast of Richfield. This is a natural lake created by fault lines.
DWR routes drivers to Fish Lake this way: 40 miles southeast of Richfield via SR-24 and SR-25
A further DWR note on Fish Lake:
Fish Lake Resorts (Fish Lake Lodge, Lakeside Marina and Store) (www.fishlakeresorts.com) and Bowery Haven Resort (www.boweryhaven.com) provide a variety of lodging, camping, food, boat rental, and other services. Boat launching is free at ramps at the Lakeside Marina, Lodge, and Bowery Haven, while docking is available for a fee.
The DWR points around Fish Lake mention hiking, mountain biking, restrooms, wildlife watching, drinking water, fire rings, limited wheelchair access and picnic tables.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Fish Lake (DWR last updated the page Oct 6, 2025), read November 11, 2026.
Species DWR rates at Fish Lake
DWR rates each fish at Fish Lake as likely, possible or unlikely; those are DWR's words, not a catch promise.
| Species | DWR rating |
|---|---|
| Kokanee salmon | likely |
| Lake trout | likely |
| Rainbow trout | likely |
| Splake | likely |
| Yellow perch | likely |
| Brook trout | possible |
| Brown trout | possible |
| Common carp | possible |
| Bear Lake cutthroat trout | possible |
| Tiger muskellunge | possible |
| Tiger trout | possible |
| Utah chub | possible |
| Utah sucker | possible |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Fish Lake (DWR last updated the page Oct 6, 2025), read November 11, 2026.
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Fish Utah logs these Fish Lake releases by date, species and number.
| Date | Species | Number | Average length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 7, 2026 | Tiger trout | 2,002 | 5.06 |
| Sep 3, 2026 | Cutbow ctbl*rtwv | 10,908 | 6.27 |
| Sep 3, 2026 | Cutbow ctbl*rtwv | 5,070 | 6.04 |
| Sep 3, 2026 | Cutbow ctbl*rtwv | 9,935 | 6.04 |
| Sep 3, 2026 | Cutbow ctbl*rtwv | 4,094 | 6.27 |
| Aug 27, 2026 | Rainbow | 7,000 | 6.76 |
| Aug 27, 2026 | Rainbow | 7,110 | 6.5 |
| Aug 26, 2026 | Lake trout | 118 | 22.74 |
| Aug 18, 2026 | Rainbow | 3,600 | 10.51 |
| Aug 18, 2026 | Rainbow | 1,764 | 10.51 |
| Aug 12, 2026 | Rainbow | 3,104 | 11.28 |
| Aug 12, 2026 | Rainbow | 1,552 | 11.28 |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Fish Lake (DWR last updated the page Oct 6, 2025), read November 11, 2026.
The DWR report for Fish Lake, with its date
Fall Fishing Forecast (September – November): Fish Lake is closed to the possession of Kokanee Salmon from September 10 through November 30. Possession means harvest (ie. keeping fish on a stringer, in a cooler, in a live well, or taking home); it is not illegal to catch and immediately release Kokanee salmon during this closure. However, intentional snagging, catching fish by hand, and fishing in Twin Creek are always prohibited.
The Fish Lake note above is dated Oct 13, 2026 by DWR.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Fish Lake (DWR last updated the page Oct 6, 2025), read November 11, 2026.
Public Utah launches on Fish Lake
- Bowery Creek Boat Ramp at Fish Lakeboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by the U.S. Forest Service in the UGRC layer, cabins, drinking water, electrical hook-us
- Doctor Creek Boat Ramp at Fish Lakeboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by the U.S. Forest Service in the UGRC layer, cabins, drinking water, electrical hook-us
- Joe Bush Fisherman Parking Area Hand Launchhand launch, hand launch, hiking, mountain biking
- Pelican Point Boat Ramp at Fish Lakeboat ramp, for small motorized craft, administered by the U.S. Forest Service in the UGRC layer
- Twin Creek Boat Ramp at Fish Lakeboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by the U.S. Forest Service in the UGRC layer, cabins, drinking water, fish Cleaning Station
No boat needed for Utah anglers at Fish Lake
- "Bowery" Pull-out Shore Access at Fish Lakeshore access, hiking, mountain biking, restrooms
- Bowery Creek Campground at Fish Lakeshore access, drinking water, fire rings, hiking
- Doctor Creek Campground at Fish Lakeshore access, drinking water, fire rings, gray water disposal
- Frying Pan Campground at Fish Lakeshore access, drinking water, fire rings, hiking
- Mackinaw Campground at Fish Lakeshore access, camp host, drinking water, fire rings
- Twin Creeks Day-use Area Shore Access at Fish Lakeshore access, covered Picnic ares, drinking water, fire rings
More launches near Fish Lake
- Johnson Reservoir Boat RampJohnson Reservoir, 6 miles northeast
- Koosharem Reservoir Recreation Site Boat RampKoosharem Reservoir, 8 miles northwest
Launch charges at Fish Lake, if any, come from the managing agency, not this page.
UGRC Boat Ramps layer (ArcGIS service) and the DWR Fish Utah access list, read November 11, 2026.
How many fish Fish Lake lets you keep
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.
Exceptions in force at Fish Lake
- Fish LakeNo limit on yellow perch (2027 guidebook, p. 41)
- Fish LakeLimit 1 trout or salmon over 24 inches, regardless of species (goes toward the statewide trout limit). (2027 guidebook, p. 41)
- Fish LakeWhen ice fishing, the size of the hole may not exceed 18 inches. (2027 guidebook, p. 41)
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 41 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Fish Utah, the DWR map, prints these lines for Fish Lake (DWR marks them updated May 31, 2019).
- Limit 4 trout or kokanee salmon (a combined total), only 1 may exceed 24 inches, regardless of species.
- Underwater spearfishing is permitted from 6 am on the first Saturday of June through Sept 15.
- When ice fishing, the size of the hole may not exceed 18 inches.
- Kokanee Salmon: Trout, including salmon, grayling and hybrids a combined limit of 4; Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from Sept 10 through Nov 30.
- Lake Trout: Trout, including salmon, grayling and hybrids a combined limit of 4.
- Rainbow Trout: Trout, including salmon, grayling and hybrids a combined limit of 4.
- Splake: Trout, including salmon, grayling and hybrids a combined limit of 4.
- Yellow Perch: No limit; yellow perch and their parts may be used as bait at Fish Lake; yellow perch from Fish Lake may be "wasted" (see Utah Fishing Guidebook, pages 22-23).
- Brook Trout: Trout, including salmon, grayling and hybrids a combined limit of 4.
- Brown Trout: Trout, including salmon, grayling and hybrids a combined limit of 4.
- Cutthroat Trout/Colorado River: Trout, including salmon, grayling and hybrids a combined limit of 4.
- Tiger Muskie: Limit 1 over 40 inches.
- Tiger Trout: Trout, including salmon, grayling and hybrids a combined limit of 4.
- Twin Creek (Tributary to Fish Lake): CLOSED TO FISHING.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Fish Lake (DWR last updated the page Oct 6, 2025), read November 11, 2026.
Utah statewide rows that reach Fish Lake
| Species group | 2027 daily limit | 2026 daily limit | Note as printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger muskellunge | 1 over 40 inches | 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. |
| Yellow perch | 50 | same | – |
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 9 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Kokanee at Fish Lake: Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30 to protect kokanee during the spawning season.
Utah defines possession this way, Fish Lake included: "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.
The Blue Ribbon program at Fish Lake
DWR names Fish Lake a Blue Ribbon fishery on its Fish Utah page.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Fish Lake (DWR last updated the page Oct 6, 2025), read November 11, 2026.
DWR record entries naming Fish Lake
| Species | Weight or length | Year | Place as DWR prints it | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Splake trout | 17 lbs. 4 oz. | 2006 | Fish Lake | catch and keep |
| Splake trout | 34" | 2020 | Fish Lake | catch and release (length) |
| Arctic grayling | 4.16 oz. | 2025 | Fish Lake | spearfishing |
| Tiger muskellunge | 36 lbs., 6 oz. | 2020 | Fish Lake | spearfishing |
| Kokanee salmon | 4 lbs. | 2020 | Fish Lake | spearfishing |
| Utah sucker | 4 lbs. 15 oz. | 2003 | Fish Lake | spearfishing; no longer accepting entries |
| Brown trout | 21 lbs. 12 oz. | 1983 | Fish Lake | spearfishing |
| Nonnative cutthroat trout | 3 lbs. 14 oz. | 2022 | Fish Lake | spearfishing |
| Lake trout | 32 lbs. 7 oz. | 2008 | Fish Lake | spearfishing |
| Splake trout | 16 lbs. 7 oz. | 2012 | Fish Lake | spearfishing |
Utah state record fish as DWR lists them (records page), read November 11, 2026.
Where Fish Lake ranks among area lakes
Of the five closest Utah waters with pages, Johnson Reservoir is largest by DWR acres at 700 acres.
| Water | Distance | Size | County | Launches | Species on DWR list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish Lake | 2,500 acres | Sevier County | 5 | 14 | |
| Johnson Reservoir | 6 miles northeast | 700 acres | Sevier County | 1 | 6 |
| Koosharem Reservoir | 8 miles northwest | about 346 acres of mapped outline | Sevier County | 2 | 7 |
| Mill Meadow Reservoir | 8 miles east | about 161 acres of mapped outline | Wayne County | 1 | 9 |
| Forsyth Reservoir | 10 miles east | about 166 acres of mapped outline | Sevier County | 1 | 5 |
| Monroe Pond | 22 miles west | 2 acres | Sevier County | 0 | 4 |
DWR Fish Utah pages, UGRC Boat Ramps and Lakes NHD layers; outline sizes are GIS figures. Read November 11, 2026.
Grouped near Fish Lake
Reservoirs worth a detour from Fish Lake
- Johnson Reservoir6 miles northeast
- Koosharem Reservoir8 miles northwest
- Mill Meadow Reservoir8 miles east
- Forsyth Reservoir10 miles east
- Monroe Pond22 miles west
Where to buy worms and jigs near Fish Lake
- Barney Outdoor Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Richfield, 25 miles
Utah guide services that fish Fish Lake
- Jmcoutfittingfishing guide, Redmond, (435) 633-3175
Rooms and campgrounds handy to Fish Lake
- Monroe23 miles
- Richfield25 miles
- Salina28 miles
Utah counties touching Fish Lake
- Sevier Countyseat: Richfield
Piscifun kit to stow in the truck for Fish Lake
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Identification photos for fish at Fish Lake
Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region, Public domain
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Public domain
Quick replies for a trip to Fish Lake
Which Utah county roads lead to Fish Lake?
DWR places it in Sevier County; the nearest Census town, Monroe, is about 23 miles away.
Is Fish Lake a large Utah water?
DWR's figure is 2,500 acres; the UGRC outline is about 2,582 acres of mapped outline.
Which launch suits a first trip to Fish Lake?
Use Bowery Creek Boat Ramp at Fish Lake; the data show 5 launches.
Which species does DWR list at Fish Lake?
DWR rates kokanee salmon, lake trout, rainbow trout, splake and yellow perch there.
How many fish can a Utah angler keep at Fish Lake?
It has 17 rule lines; they replace the statewide numbers where they speak.
Where does licensing stand for Fish Lake?
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. Children under 12 need no license.
Does DWR list bank fishing at Fish Lake?
DWR maps 6 shore and pier points, such as "Bowery" Pull-out Shore Access at Fish Lake.
Is a Utah bait store close to Fish Lake?
The list starts with Barney Outdoor Outfitters, about 25 miles away.
Which DWR hatchery fish go into Fish Lake?
Fish Utah lists 25 stocking rows; the newest is Sep 7, 2026, tiger trout.
Which state record traces to Fish Lake?
The record list holds a splake trout at 17 lbs. 4 oz. from Fish Lake, year 2006.
Is Fish Lake on the Blue Ribbon list?
Its DWR listing says Blue Ribbon.
Plan a Wasatch-to-red-rock weekend at Fish Lake
Prices and limit tables share one Utah page.