Flaming Gorge Reservoir Fishing
A Utah reservoir of 42,000 acres in Daggett County.
Pick for cutthroat troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Flaming Gorge Reservoir by the DWR numbers
At 42,000 acres by DWR’s count, Flaming Gorge Reservoir lies in Daggett County. The UGRC lakes layer traces about 38,880 acres of mapped outline in Utah for it. The nearest Utah Census town is Maeser, roughly 41 miles away.
DWR labels it a Blue Ribbon fishery. Launch data show 10 launches. Add 4 shore and pier points on the DWR list. It carries 16 rule lines beyond the statewide table.
Size as the DWR Fish Utah page for Flaming Gorge 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. The layer stops at the state line, so this is the Utah part only.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Flaming Gorge Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Nov 4, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 11, 2026.
How Utah DWR describes Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Here is how DWR's map page describes Flaming Gorge Reservoir:
Flaming Gorge Reservoir straddles the UT/WY state line and is one of the largest reservoirs in both states. The Wyoming end of the reservoir is quite open and can be extremely rough if the wind blows. The Utah portion of the reservoir is mostly in a canyon, so it is more protected from the wind.
Fish Utah directions for Flaming Gorge Reservoir: Drive 45 miles north of Vernal on US-191
The Fish Utah biology note for Flaming Gorge Reservoir:
Most angling occurs from boats in the Utah end of the reservoir. Shore fishing is best in the spring and fall.
At the Flaming Gorge Reservoir access points DWR notes boat Ramp, camp host, covered Picnic ares, cycling, drinking water, fire rings, gray water disposal and mountain biking.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Flaming Gorge Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Nov 4, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
The DWR species list for Flaming Gorge Reservoir
These ratings for Flaming Gorge Reservoir come straight from Fish Utah.
| Species | DWR rating |
|---|---|
| Burbot | likely |
| Bonneville cutthroat trout | likely |
| Kokanee salmon | likely |
| Lake trout | likely |
| Rainbow trout | likely |
| Smallmouth bass | likely |
| Brown trout | possible |
| Channel catfish | possible |
| Common carp | possible |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Flaming Gorge Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Nov 4, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
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Recent Flaming Gorge Reservoir stocking, as Fish Utah lists it (average length exactly as printed, without a unit).
| Date | Species | Number | Average length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 13, 2026 | Rainbow | 1,001 | 9.46 |
| Sep 13, 2026 | Rainbow | 1,001 | 9.46 |
| Sep 13, 2026 | Rainbow | 1,001 | 9.46 |
| Sep 13, 2026 | Rainbow | 1,001 | 9.46 |
| Jul 21, 2026 | Rainbow | 644 | 12.03 |
| Jul 19, 2026 | Rainbow | 996 | 12.01 |
| Jun 12, 2026 | Rainbow | 1,800 | 11.36 |
| Jun 9, 2026 | Rainbow | 1,317 | 11.03 |
| May 30, 2026 | Rainbow | 3,337 | 11.27 |
| May 21, 2026 | Kokanee | 9,098 | 3.89 |
| May 20, 2026 | Kokanee | 41,307 | 3.91 |
| May 20, 2026 | Kokanee | 20,654 | 3.91 |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Flaming Gorge Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Nov 4, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Fishing report on file for Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Nov 4:Statewide kokanee salmon closure: Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon from Sept 10-Nov 30. US Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) is releasing additional water volume out of Flaming Gorge as part of the Drought Response Operations Agreement (DROA) to support downstream infrastructure. You can view reservoir water elevation data here: https://www.usbr.gov/uc/water/hydrodata/reservoir_data/917/dashboard.html Boat Ramp data can be found here: https://www.usbr.gov/uc/DocLibrary/Reports/FlamingGorgeDam/20221000-FlamingGorgeBoatRampSurveyReport508.pdf The UDWR is working with the USFS to clear ramps of debris as we lose water elevation.
Report date on Fish Utah for Flaming Gorge Reservoir: Nov 4, 2026. Treat it as history, not today.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Flaming Gorge Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Nov 4, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Towing a boat to Flaming Gorge Reservoir
- Antelope Flat Boat Ramp at Flaming Gorge Reservoirboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by the U.S. Forest Service in the UGRC layer, camp host, covered Picnic ares, cycling
- Anvil Draw Boat Ramp at Flaming Gorge Reservoirboat ramp, cycling, restrooms, restrooms – accessible
- Brinegar Ferry Crossing Boat Ramp at Flaming Gorge Reservoirboat ramp, mountain biking, restrooms, restrooms – accessible
- Buckboard Marina at Flaming Gorge Reservoirboat ramp, camp host, covered Picnic ares, cycling
- Dutch John Marina at Flaming Gorge Reservoirboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by the U.S. Forest Service in the UGRC layer
- Firehole Boat Ramp at Flaming Gorge Reservoirboat ramp, camp host, covered Picnic ares, cycling
- Lucerne Valley Boat Ramp at Flaming Gorge Reservoirboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by the U.S. Forest Service in the UGRC layer, camp host, covered Picnic ares, cycling
- Mustang Ramp at Flaming Gorge Reservoirboat ramp, camp host, cycling, drinking water
- Sheep Creek Bay Boat Ramp at Flaming Gorge Reservoirboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by the U.S. Forest Service in the UGRC layer, cycling, hiking, mountain biking
- Upper Marsh Creek Boat Ramp at Flaming Gorge Reservoirboat ramp, mountain biking, OHV or 4WD trails, swimming
Casting from the shore of Flaming Gorge Reservoir
- Boar's Tusk Boat Camp Shore Access at Flaming Gorge Reservoirshore access, docks – accessible, primitive (Tent), swimming
- Hideout Shore Access at Flaming Gorge Reservoirshore access, camp host, fire rings, hiking
- Jarvies Boat Camp Shore Access at Flaming Gorge Reservoirshore access, covered Picnic ares, docks – accessible, fire rings
- Kingfisher Island Shore Access at Flaming Gorge Reservoirshore access, fire rings, hiking, picnic covered area
Next-closest Utah launches to Flaming Gorge Reservoir
- Cedar Springs Marina at Green River Below Flaming Gorge DamGreen River Below Flaming Gorge Dam, 12 miles southeast
- Flaming Gorge Spillway Boat Ramp at Green River Below Flaming Gorge DamGreen River Below Flaming Gorge Dam, 13 miles southeast
- Little Hole Boat Ramp at Green River Below Flaming Gorge DamGreen River Below Flaming Gorge Dam, 16 miles southeast
- Browne Lake Boat RampBrowne Lake, 19 miles southwest
- Sheep Creek Lake Boat RampSheep Creek Lake, 19 miles southwest
Fees and gate times at Flaming Gorge Reservoir launches are not in the data; ask the operator or park office.
UGRC Boat Ramps layer (ArcGIS service) and the DWR Fish Utah access list, read November 11, 2026.
Recent elevation numbers at Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Reclamation daily values for Flaming Gorge Reservoir, November 10, 2026. Values are for the whole reservoir, including the part outside Utah.
Bureau of Reclamation Upper Colorado Region reservoir data (hydrodata), latest daily values, read November 11, 2026. Provisional.
Each Flaming Gorge Reservoir number names its agency; Reclamation values are dated, not live.
Utah harvest rules at Flaming Gorge 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.
As DWR's Fish Utah page lists them, the Flaming Gorge Reservoir rules read (DWR marks them updated Jul 6, 2026):
- See Fishing across state lines and reciprocal
- fishing permits on page 9 for license and
- permit requirements.
- Limit 4 trout or kokanee salmon, excluding lake trout.
- No limit for lake trout 28 inches or less; only 1 lake trout may exceed 28 inches.
- Linwood Bay, west of a line from the
- easternmost point of the south shore
- of Linwood Bay (mouth of canyon) to
- easternmost point of the north shore of
- Linwood Bay (Lucerne Point), CLOSED
- to nighttime angling (sunset to sunrise)
- from Oct 15 through 6 am on the
- second Saturday of December.
- Limit 6 catfish.
- Limit 3 smallmouth and largemouth
- bass (a combined total) in Utah and catch and release only in Wyoming.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Flaming Gorge Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Nov 4, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Statewide Utah numbers behind Flaming Gorge Reservoir
| Species group | 2027 daily limit | 2026 daily limit | Note as printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burbot | No limit | same | REMINDER: Do not release any burbot you catch. All burbot caught must be immediately killed. |
| Channel catfish | 8 | 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. |
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 9 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Applies to Flaming Gorge Reservoir kokanee: Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30 to protect kokanee during the spawning season.
The R657-13 possession wording that covers Flaming Gorge Reservoir: "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. Wyoming residents can add the $59 Flaming Gorge, Utah reciprocal permit printed in the guidebook.
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.
Which Utah license works on Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Utah and Wyoming resident anglers: To fish across state lines at Flaming Gorge Reservoir, residents of Utah or Wyoming must have a valid resident fishing license from their state of residence and a reciprocal fishing permit from the other state. For example, if you buy a Utah resident fishing license, you can fish the Utah por- tion of Flaming Gorge. After buying your Utah license, if you decide you also want to fish the Wyoming portion of the reservoir, you must buy a Wyoming reciprocal fishing permit. You can also choose to purchase a Wyoming nonresident fishing license. Wyoming residents: Utah reciprocal fishing permits are available at wildlife. utah.gov and from authorized license agents and DWR offices. Nonresident anglers: If you are not a resident of either Utah or Wyoming—and you want to fish all of Flaming Gorge Reservoir—you must purchase nonresident fishing licenses from both states. For more information on obtaining a Wyoming reciprocal fishing permit or a Wyo- ming fishing license, call the Wyoming Game and Fish Department at 307-777-4600 or visit wgfd.wyo.gov. REMINDER: Even if you are licensed in both states, you may only take one daily limit.
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 23 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Blue Ribbon status at Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Flaming Gorge Reservoir appears on the DWR Blue Ribbon fisheries list, a program label for waters DWR manages as top fisheries.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Flaming Gorge Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Nov 4, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Record-book weights DWR ties to Flaming Gorge Reservoir
| Species | Weight or length | Year | Place as DWR prints it | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kokanee salmon | 6 lbs. 5 oz. | 2015 | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | catch and keep |
| White sucker | 2 lbs. 8 oz. | 1992 | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | catch and keep; no longer accepting entries |
| Brown trout | 33 lbs. 10 oz. | 1977 | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | catch and keep |
| Lake trout | 53 lbs. 15 oz. | 2020 | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | catch and keep |
| Rainbow trout | 26 lbs. 2 oz. | 1979 | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | catch and keep |
| Utah chub | 14 ¼" | 1997 | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | catch and release (length); no longer accepting entries |
| Kokanee salmon | 26 ⅝" | 2004 | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | catch and release (length) |
| Lake trout | 48" | 2019 | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | catch and release (length) |
| Smallmouth bass | 5 lbs. 5 oz. | 2024 | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | spearfishing |
| Carp | 31 lbs. | 2013 | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | spearfishing |
| Rainbow trout | 4 lbs. 6 oz. | 2017 | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | spearfishing |
| White sucker | 2 lbs. 7 oz. | 1992 | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | archery; no longer accepting entries |
Utah state record fish as DWR lists them (records page), read November 11, 2026.
Utah derbies and bass events at Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Every Flaming Gorge Reservoir event on file links back to its organizer.
How Flaming Gorge Reservoir compares with other Utah water
DWR acreage puts Long Park Reservoir, North Slope first among these at 380 acres.
| Water | Distance | Size | County | Launches | Species on DWR list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flaming Gorge Reservoir | 42,000 acres | Daggett County | 10 | 9 | |
| Moose Pond | 16 miles south | 2 acres | Daggett County | 0 | 2 |
| Browne Lake | 19 miles southwest | 54 acres | Daggett County | 1 | 5 |
| East Park Reservoir | 19 miles south | about 178 acres of mapped outline | Uintah County | 0 | 3 |
| Long Park Reservoir, North Slope | 19 miles southwest | 380 acres | Daggett County | 1 | 4 |
| Sheep Creek Lake | 19 miles southwest | 82 acres | Daggett County | 1 | 3 |
DWR Fish Utah pages, UGRC Boat Ramps and Lakes NHD layers; outline sizes are GIS figures. Read November 11, 2026.
Minutes from Flaming Gorge Reservoir by road
Still water for day two past Flaming Gorge Reservoir
- Moose Pond16 miles south
- Browne Lake19 miles southwest
- East Park Reservoir19 miles south
- Long Park Reservoir, North Slope19 miles southwest
- Sheep Creek Lake19 miles southwest
Gear stores a short drive from Flaming Gorge Reservoir
- Cedar Springs Marinamarina, Dutch John
- Flaming Gorge Corpmarina, Manila
- Lucerne Valley Marinamarina, Manila
Booking a guided day at Flaming Gorge Reservoir
- Green River Fishing Guides Dutch John Resort at Flaming Gorgefishing guide, Dutch John, (435) 848-8000
Lodging towns around Flaming Gorge Reservoir
- Maeser41 miles
- Vernal42 miles
- Naples44 miles
Which Utah county holds Flaming Gorge Reservoir
- Daggett Countyseat: Manila
Piscifun rods, reels and pliers worth a look before Flaming Gorge Reservoir
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Beehive State fish to recognize at Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Photo: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region, Public domain
Flaming Gorge Reservoir, sorted out in a few questions
What part of the Beehive State is Flaming Gorge Reservoir in?
Fish Utah files it under Daggett County; the nearest Census town, Maeser, is about 41 miles away.
How many acres does Utah DWR give Flaming Gorge Reservoir?
42,000 acres, per DWR; the UGRC outline is about 38,880 acres of mapped outline in Utah.
Where can a boat launch onto Utah's Flaming Gorge Reservoir?
10 launches are on file; try Antelope Flat Boat Ramp at Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
What does DWR say swims in Flaming Gorge Reservoir?
Fish Utah names burbot, bonneville cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon, lake trout and rainbow trout.
Does Utah set size limits at Flaming Gorge Reservoir?
The Utah guidebook and Fish Utah print 16 rule lines for it, quoted in the limits band and dated by edition.
What must an out-of-state visitor buy before fishing Utah's Flaming Gorge 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. Wyoming residents can add the $59 Flaming Gorge, Utah reciprocal permit printed in the guidebook. The license rule starts at age 12.
Where can a Utah angler fish Flaming Gorge Reservoir without a boat?
Start at Boar's Tusk Boat Camp Shore Access at Flaming Gorge Reservoir; DWR shows 4 shore and pier points.
Where can I buy bait in Utah near Flaming Gorge Reservoir?
Cedar Springs Marina in the same county comes first.
Where does Utah's Flaming Gorge Reservoir stand on the gauge?
Readings sit in the level band, each with a source.
What fish does DWR plant in Flaming Gorge Reservoir?
Its page carries 30 stocking rows, newest Sep 13, 2026 (rainbow).
What record does DWR credit to Flaming Gorge Reservoir?
The kokanee salmon mark, 6 lbs. 5 oz., came from Flaming Gorge Reservoir, year 2015.
Who runs Utah events at Flaming Gorge Reservoir?
Club and DWR-authorized events are gathered on its event page.
Does DWR call Flaming Gorge Reservoir Blue Ribbon water?
DWR names it Blue Ribbon water.
Fill the cooler and drive to Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Fees and limit tables are one click away.