Navajo Lake Fishing
A Utah natural lake in Kane County.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Panguitch Lake: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
A Utah profile of Navajo Lake
No DWR acre figure exists for Navajo Lake in Kane County, but the UGRC polygon measures about 709 acres of mapped outline. The Census place of Cedar City sits about 21 miles out.
It has 2 launches on the UGRC and DWR lists. For fishing without a boat, DWR lists 5 shore and pier points. Read its 2 rule lines before keeping fish.
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 Navajo Lake (DWR last updated the page Aug 18, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 11, 2026.
Background on Navajo Lake from DWR
Utah DWR's own words on Navajo Lake:
Navajo Lake is located on the Markagunt Plateau, 24 miles east of Cedar City via UT-14. The lake lies within the Dixie National Forest in Kane County. The access road is paved, but not maintained during winter months.
The route DWR gives for Navajo Lake: Approximately 24 miles east of Cedar City via SR-14
DWR access points at Navajo Lake list camp host, drinking water, fire rings, hand launch, hiking, limited wheelchair access, mountain biking and picnic tables.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Navajo Lake (DWR last updated the page Aug 18, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Fish DWR lists at Navajo Lake
Fish Utah sorts the Navajo Lake species by how likely DWR thinks a catch is.
| Species | DWR rating |
|---|---|
| Rainbow trout | likely |
| Splake | likely |
| Tiger trout | likely |
| Bonneville cutthroat trout | possible |
| Tiger muskellunge | possible |
| Utah chub | possible |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Navajo Lake (DWR last updated the page Aug 18, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
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DWR's Fish Utah page for Navajo Lake shows these recent plants; the average length column carries no unit because DWR prints none.
| Date | Species | Number | Average length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10, 2026 | Grayling arctic | 6,000 | 1.83 |
| Sep 2, 2026 | Rainbow | 1,134 | 11.2 |
| Sep 2, 2026 | Rainbow | 756 | 11.2 |
| Jul 2, 2026 | Cutthroat | 208 | 14.01 |
| Jul 2, 2026 | Cutthroat | 182 | 14.01 |
| Jun 23, 2026 | Splake | 6,085 | 2.66 |
| Jun 19, 2026 | Cutthroat | 546 | 15.04 |
| May 28, 2026 | Muskie tiger | 3,800 | 5.0 |
| May 28, 2026 | Muskie tiger | 999 | 4.94 |
| May 11, 2026 | Tiger trout | 1,650 | 9.29 |
| May 11, 2026 | Tiger trout | 1,617 | 9.29 |
| May 6, 2026 | Tiger trout | 1,612 | 9.67 |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Navajo Lake (DWR last updated the page Aug 18, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
DWR report notes for Navajo Lake
Fall Fishing Forecast (September – November): Water level is low and weed growth is dense, making shore fishing often difficult at Navajo Lake. Getting out on the water on a small watercraft will allow you to fish over the top of the weeds. The vegetation will start to die off in October and November as temperatures drop and access will improve.
DWR dated this Navajo Lake report Aug 18, 2026; conditions may have moved on since.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Navajo Lake (DWR last updated the page Aug 18, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Utah launch ramps serving Navajo Lake
- Navajo Lake Campground Hand Launchhand launch, camp host, drinking water, fire rings
- Navajo Lake Lodge Boat Rampboat ramp, cabins, drinking water, hiking
Utah bank spots around Navajo Lake
- Navajo Lake Dike Shore Accessshore access
- Navajo Lake Loop Trail – East Trailhead Shore Accessshore access, backpacking, hiking, mountain biking
- Navajo Lake Loop Trail – North Shore Trailheadshore access, backpacking, hiking, mountain biking
- Spruces Campground at Navajo Lakeshore access, camp host, drinking water, fire rings
- Te-Ah Campground at Navajo Lakeshore access, camp host, drinking water, fire rings
Utah ramps a short tow past Navajo Lake
- Panguitch Lake South Boat RampPanguitch Lake, 15 miles northeast
- Yankee Meadows Boat RampYankee Meadow Reservoir, 16 miles north
- Panguitch Lake North Boat RampPanguitch Lake, 16 miles northeast
- East Shore (Bear Paw Beach) Hand Launch at Panguitch LakePanguitch Lake, 16 miles northeast
- Kolob Reservoir Boat RampKolob Reservoir, 16 miles southwest
Neither the UGRC layer nor Fish Utah gives launch fees, hours or lane counts for Navajo Lake, 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 limits that apply at Navajo Lake
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 Navajo Lake departs from the statewide limits
- Navajo LakeLimit 1 trout or Arctic grayling over 22 inches, regardless of species (goes toward the statewide trout limit). (new in the 2027 guidebook, in force from January 1, 2027)
- Navajo Lake(NEW) Limit 1 tiger muskie, any size. (new in the 2027 guidebook, in force from January 1, 2027)
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 46 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Utah baseline limits for the fish of Navajo 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. |
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 9 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Possession, as the Utah rule defines it for Navajo Lake 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.
Neighboring Utah lakes and Navajo Lake
The biggest neighbor here is Bristlecone (Brian Head) Pond, which DWR sizes at 4 acres.
| Water | Distance | Size | County | Launches | Species on DWR list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navajo Lake | about 709 acres of mapped outline | Kane County | 2 | 8 | |
| Duck Creek Pond / Aspen Mirror Lake | 5 miles east | about 3 acres of mapped outline | Kane County | 0 | 3 |
| Woods Ranch Pond (Kids Pond) | 9 miles northwest | 1 acres | Iron County | 0 | 1 |
| Bristlecone (Brian Head) Pond | 12 miles north | 4 acres | Iron County | 0 | 2 |
| Panguitch Lake | 15 miles northeast | 1234 | Garfield County | 7 | 11 |
| Yankee Meadow Reservoir | 16 miles north | about 29 acres of mapped outline | Iron County | 1 | 3 |
DWR Fish Utah pages, UGRC Boat Ramps and Lakes NHD layers; outline sizes are GIS figures. Read November 11, 2026.
A short way past Navajo Lake
Other Utah reservoirs near Navajo Lake
- Duck Creek Pond / Aspen Mirror Lake5 miles east
- Woods Ranch Pond (Kids Pond)9 miles northwest
- Bristlecone (Brian Head) Pond12 miles north
- Panguitch Lake15 miles northeast
- Yankee Meadow Reservoir16 miles north
Shops the Navajo Lake regulars use
- Sportsman's Warehouse, 889 S Main Stbait and tackle shop, Cedar City, 19 miles
- Circle Valley Anglersbait and tackle shop, Cedar City, 19 miles
- Bullfrog Marinamarina, Bullfrog
Finding a bed close to Navajo Lake
- Cedar City21 miles
- Parowan22 miles
- Enoch22 miles
Utah county pages that cover Navajo Lake
- Kane Countyseat: Kanab
Piscifun gear a Beehive State angler could bring to Navajo Lake
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Canyon walls and alpine shorelines by Navajo Lake through a lens
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ, Public domain
Photo: Jared, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: ClassA RVs, CC BY 2.0
Questions to settle before the Utah drive to Navajo Lake
Where in Utah is Navajo Lake?
Look in Kane County; the nearest Census town, Cedar City, is about 21 miles away.
How big does DWR say Navajo Lake is?
No DWR acres exist; the mapped outline reads about 709 acres of mapped outline.
Which launches does Navajo Lake have?
There are 2 launches, including Navajo Lake Campground Hand Launch.
Which fish does Fish Utah name for Navajo Lake?
DWR lists rainbow trout, splake, tiger trout, grayling Arctic and muskie Tiger; its ratings are odds, not promises.
Which Utah rules apply at Navajo Lake?
There are 2 rule lines on file, shown word for word in the limits band.
Which Utah license covers a day at Navajo 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. Kids younger than 12 fish free.
Does DWR list a fishing pier at Navajo Lake?
DWR lists 5 shore and pier points; Navajo Lake Dike Shore Access is one.
Which Utah tackle shop is nearest Navajo Lake?
Nearest listed: Sportsman's Warehouse, 889 S Main St, about 19 miles away.
Does DWR stock Navajo Lake?
DWR logs 26 stocking rows; most recent Sep 10, 2026, grayling arctic.
Save a morning for Navajo Lake
Buy the DWR license before you tow the boat.