Quail Creek Reservoir Fishing
A Utah reservoir in Washington County.
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Sizing up Quail Creek Reservoir before the drive
DWR leaves the acreage of Quail Creek Reservoir blank; the UGRC layer draws about 616 acres of mapped outline in Washington County. Hurricane, about 3 miles away, is the handiest Utah town.
The Blue Ribbon program lists it. The UGRC and DWR launch points give it 3 launches. Statewide limits change here through 5 rule lines.
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 Quail Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 5, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 11, 2026.
DWR on Quail Creek Reservoir
DWR introduces Quail Creek Reservoir like this:
Quail Creek Reservoir (also known as Quail Lake) is located in the desert region of Utah's Dixie, at an elevation of just under 3,000 feet. The reservoir is a 590-acre impoundment of Quail Creek, but receives most of its water by diversion from the Virgin River. The reservoir was constructed in 1985 to provide culinary and secondary water for Washington County.
DWR's directions to Quail Creek Reservoir: From I-15 exit 16, travel east approximately 3.5 miles on State Highway 9; turn north and enter Quail Lake State Park
DWR biologists note on Quail Creek Reservoir:
The Virgin River drainage is home to two endangered fish species – woundfin and Virgin River chub – one sensitive species – Virgin spinedace – as well as native desert sucker, flannelmouth sucker, and speckled dace. The Virgin River Recovery Program allows the state of Utah to work cooperatively with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve these species and their habitats.
DWR records boat Ramp, camp host, covered Picnic ares, docks – accessible, drinking water, fire rings, fish Cleaning Station and fishing piers – accessible at the Quail Creek Reservoir access points.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Quail Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 5, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
The Quail Creek Reservoir fish list, per DWR
The abundance words below are DWR's own for Quail Creek Reservoir: a guide to odds, not a guarantee.
| Species | DWR rating |
|---|---|
| Bluegill | likely |
| Largemouth bass | likely |
| Rainbow trout | likely |
| Bullhead | possible |
| Black crappie | possible |
| Green sunfish | possible |
| Smallmouth bass | possible |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Quail Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 5, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
For the largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 What DWR released into Quail Creek Reservoir
Hatchery plants at Quail Creek Reservoir, newest first, from the DWR page.
| Date | Species | Number | Average length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 26, 2026 | Rainbow | 21,930 | 6.62 |
| Oct 26, 2026 | Rainbow | 1,438 | 9.95 |
| Oct 26, 2026 | Rainbow | 5,750 | 9.95 |
| Feb 19, 2026 | Rainbow | 5,050 | 4.96 |
| Feb 9, 2026 | Rainbow | 17,940 | 4.47 |
| Feb 9, 2026 | Rainbow | 17,940 | 4.47 |
| Nov 5, 2025 | Rainbow | 4,628 | 12.11 |
| Nov 5, 2025 | Rainbow | 4,680 | 12.11 |
| Oct 21, 2025 | Rainbow | 6,825 | 10.32 |
| Oct 20, 2025 | Rainbow | 13,545 | 10.32 |
| Oct 31, 2024 | Rainbow | 8,030 | 10.65 |
| Oct 30, 2024 | Rainbow | 11,183 | 10.24 |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Quail Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 5, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
A dated DWR read on Quail Creek Reservoir
Fall Fishing Forecast (September – November): Consult the Utah State Parks website for boat ramp hours. Fishing for all species improves as the summer heat backs off and water temperatures cool. You'll also find less competition with pleasure boat traffic dwindling.
DWR posted this Quail Creek Reservoir report on May 28, 2024.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Quail Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 5, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
Where trailers back into Quail Creek Reservoir
- Quail Creek State Park Boat Rampboat ramp, camp host, covered Picnic ares, docks – accessible
- Quail Creek State Park north Boat Rampboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by a private operator in the UGRC layer
- Quail Creek State Park south Boat Rampboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by a private operator in the UGRC layer
Spare ramps if Quail Creek Reservoir is busy
- Sand Hollow State Park Boat RampSand Hollow Reservoir, 4 miles south
No fee or hour figures for Quail Creek Reservoir exist in UGRC or DWR records.
UGRC Boat Ramps layer (ArcGIS service) and the DWR Fish Utah access list, read November 11, 2026.
Daily limits in force at Quail 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.
Guidebook entries for Quail Creek Reservoir
- Quail Creek Reservoir (Quail Lake)No limit on smallmouth bass. Anglers must not release any smallmouth bass they catch. All smallmouth bass must be immediately killed. (2027 guidebook, p. 50)
- Quail Creek Reservoir (Quail Lake)Limit 6 largemouth bass of any size (2027 guidebook, p. 50)
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 50 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
The Fish Utah page for Quail Creek Reservoir serves these rule lines, quoted as DWR lists them (DWR marks them updated Nov 10, 2025).
- No limit on smallmouth bass and anglers must not release any smallmouth bass
- they catch, so all smallmouth bass must be immediately killed (you may legally dispose of smallmouth bass at Quail Creek Reservoir without violating the state’s wasting law). There is an exemption at Quail Creek Reservoir to the statewide possession closure of smallmouth bass from April 1 through the
- fourth Saturday in June while underwater spearfishing. Limit 6 largemouth bass of any size.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Quail Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 5, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
Beehive State default limits at Quail 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. |
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 9 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
On possession, the Utah rule reads, for Quail Creek Reservoir as anywhere: "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.
Quail Creek Reservoir on the Blue Ribbon list
Utah's Blue Ribbon program includes Quail Creek Reservoir, per DWR.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Quail Creek Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 5, 2024), read November 11, 2026.
The Utah record list and Quail Creek Reservoir
| Species | Weight or length | Year | Place as DWR prints it | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 2 lbs. 8 oz. | 2024 | Quail Creek Reservoir | catch and keep |
| Black bullhead | 17 ⅝" | 2026 | Quail Creek Reservoir | catch and release (length) |
| Green sunfish | 11 ¼" | 2014 | Quail Creek Reservoir | catch and release (length) |
Utah state record fish as DWR lists them (records page), read November 11, 2026.
Quail Creek Reservoir next to area reservoirs
Stratton Pond (Grandpa's Pond) tops this list at 15 acres, per DWR.
| Water | Distance | Size | County | Launches | Species on DWR list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quail Creek Reservoir | about 616 acres of mapped outline | Washington County | 3 | 7 | |
| Stratton Pond (Grandpa's Pond) | under a mile southeast | 15 acres | Washington County | 0 | 1 |
| Razor Ridge Pond | 3 miles southwest | 0.9 acres | Washington County | 0 | 1 |
| Sand Hollow Reservoir | 5 miles south | 1300 | Washington County | 1 | 5 |
| Sullivan Virgin River Park Pond | 8 miles southwest | 0.4 acres | Washington County | 0 | 1 |
| Skyline Pond | 11 miles southwest | 1.2 acres | Washington County | 0 | 3 |
DWR Fish Utah pages, UGRC Boat Ramps and Lakes NHD layers; outline sizes are GIS figures. Read November 11, 2026.
In Utah close to Quail Creek Reservoir
Backup Utah lakes when Quail Creek Reservoir is slow
- Stratton Pond (Grandpa's Pond)under a mile southeast
- Razor Ridge Pond3 miles southwest
- Sand Hollow Reservoir5 miles south
- Sullivan Virgin River Park Pond8 miles southwest
- Skyline Pond11 miles southwest
Bait shops worth a detour before Quail Creek Reservoir
- Gitzit Incbait and tackle shop, Saint George, 11 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods, 15 S River Rdbait and tackle shop, Saint George, 11 miles
- Al's Sporting Goods, 1770 Red Cliffs Drivebait and tackle shop, St. George
- Sportsman's Warehouse, 2957 E 850 Nbait and tackle shop, St. George
Where to sleep when fishing Quail Creek Reservoir
- Hurricane3 miles
- Washington7 miles
- Toquerville8 miles
County write-ups naming Quail Creek Reservoir
- Washington Countyseat: St. George
Piscifun reels and line to pack for Quail Creek Reservoir
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Wasatch and red rock water near Quail Creek Reservoir, on camera
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Thure Johnson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Clearing up Quail Creek Reservoir ahead of time
Where would I base a trip to Quail Creek Reservoir?
Head for Washington County; the nearest Census town, Hurricane, is about 3 miles away.
What surface area does Quail Creek Reservoir cover?
DWR prints no acreage; the UGRC outline is about 616 acres of mapped outline.
Does Utah have a ramp at Quail Creek Reservoir?
3 launches serve it, Quail Creek State Park Boat Ramp among them.
What can a Utah angler catch at Quail Creek Reservoir?
The DWR species list gives bluegill, largemouth bass and rainbow trout.
What limits does Utah set at Quail Creek Reservoir?
Read the 5 rule lines in the limits band before keeping a fish.
Does fishing Quail Creek Reservoir call for a Utah license?
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. Under-12 anglers are exempt.
Which shore points line Quail Creek Reservoir?
No shore or pier point is on file.
Where do Utah anglers stock up before Quail Creek Reservoir?
Gitzit Inc, about 11 miles away tops the Utah list.
Has Quail Creek Reservoir been stocked lately?
DWR shows 22 stocking rows, latest Oct 26, 2026 (rainbow).
Has Quail Creek Reservoir produced a Utah record?
A 2 lbs. 8 oz. bluegill from Quail Creek Reservoir is on the DWR list, year 2024.
Did DWR rank Quail Creek Reservoir Blue Ribbon?
DWR lists it as a Blue Ribbon fishery.
Hitch the Utah trailer for Quail Creek Reservoir
License prices and both guidebook editions are on the Utah license page.