Utah Lake Fishing
A Utah natural lake of 96,600 acres in Utah County.
Pick for channel catfishPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo: Michael Jolley, CC BY 2.0
A Utah profile of Utah Lake
Fish Utah lists Utah Lake as 96,600 acres of water in Utah County. Its mapped UGRC outline adds up to about 91,157 acres of mapped outline. The Census place of Vineyard sits about 8 miles out.
It has 24 launches on the UGRC and DWR lists. For fishing without a boat, DWR lists 8 shore and pier points. Read its 19 rule lines before keeping fish.
Size as the DWR Fish Utah page for Utah 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 Utah Lake (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 Utah Lake from DWR
Utah DWR's own words on Utah Lake:
Utah Lake is Utah's largest freshwater lake and is a popular fishing destination. It offers channel catfish, walleye, white bass, black bass and several different species of panfish. June Sucker, a federally endangered species, occur naturally in Utah Lake and nowhere else.
The route DWR gives for Utah Lake: Access from many locations in Utah County. The state park is three miles west of I-15, from exit 268 in Provo.
From the DWR notes on fish and access at Utah Lake:
Utah Lake State Park – Current Conditions and Webcam Northern Pike were illegally introduced to Utah Lake around 2010. Due to their ability to rapidly reproduce and their predatory nature, they have the ability to negatively impact the other species in the lake, including the June Sucker.
DWR access points at Utah Lake list hand launch, swimming, trails/shoreline paths, wildlife watching, boat Ramp, docks – accessible, picnic tables and restrooms.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Utah Lake (DWR last updated the page Jul 31, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
For the channel catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Fish DWR lists at Utah Lake
Fish Utah sorts the Utah Lake species by how likely DWR thinks a catch is.
| Species | DWR rating |
|---|---|
| Northern pike | invasive species |
| Bullhead | likely |
| Channel catfish | likely |
| Common carp | likely |
| Walleye | likely |
| White bass | likely |
| Black crappie | possible |
| Bluegill | possible |
| Brown trout | possible |
| Bonneville cutthroat trout | possible |
| Green sunfish | possible |
| Largemouth bass | possible |
| Yellow perch | possible |
| June sucker | protected species |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Utah Lake (DWR last updated the page Jul 31, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Recent stocking at Utah Lake
DWR's Fish Utah page for Utah Lake shows these recent plants; the average length column carries no unit because DWR prints none.
| Date | Species | Number | Average length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 8, 2026 | Sucker | 11,894 | 7.51 |
| Oct 7, 2026 | Channel catfish | 1,498 | 4.25 |
| Jun 17, 2026 | Sucker | 21,575 | 11.26 |
| Jun 17, 2026 | Sucker | 1,315 | 11.26 |
| Jun 25, 2025 | Sucker | 19 | 14.88 |
| May 29, 2025 | Sucker | 10,471 | 13.2 |
| Mar 18, 2025 | Sucker | 2,058 | 5.2 |
| Nov 18, 2024 | Sucker | 1,164 | 11.04 |
| Oct 25, 2024 | Sucker | 17 | 14.06 |
| Sep 25, 2024 | Sucker | 1,106 | 12.0 |
| Jul 2, 2024 | Sucker | 14,000 | 10.18 |
| Oct 11, 2023 | Sucker | 4,781 | 7.07 |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Utah Lake (DWR last updated the page Jul 31, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
DWR report notes for Utah Lake
Fishing forecast (June through August): Bullhead and Channel Catfish: Catch rates are fair to good fishing for black bullhead and channel catfish all throughout the lake during these summer months. Rocky shoreline areas, areas having some sort of structure, and the outer edges of weed lines are all great areas to target catfish. Midday catch rates are typically fair, with increased success fishing mornings, later evenings and nights.
DWR dated this Utah Lake report Jun 18, 2026; conditions may have moved on since.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Utah Lake (DWR last updated the page Jul 31, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Utah launch ramps serving Utah Lake
- 170 S Vineyard Access at Utah Lakehand launch, hand launch, swimming, trails/shoreline paths
- American Fork Beach & Boat Harbor at Utah Lakeboat ramp, docks – accessible, picnic tables, restrooms
- American Fork Boat Harbor at Utah Lakeboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands in the UGRC layer
- LaBaron Point Boat Ramp at Utah Lakeboat ramp, for small motorized craft, administered by Utah DWR in the UGRC layer
- Lincoln Beach Boat Ramp at Utah Lakeboat ramp, camp host, covered Picnic ares, docks – accessible
- Lincoln Point Boat Ramp at Utah Lakeboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by a private operator in the UGRC layer, hand launch, swimming, wildlife watching
- Lindon Boat Harbor at Utah Lakeboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by a private operator in the UGRC layer, docks – accessible, picnic tables, primitive (Tent)
- Mill Race Boat Ramp at Utah Lakeboat ramp, wildlife watching
- Millrace north Boat Ramp at Utah Lakeboat ramp, for small motorized craft, administered by Utah DWR in the UGRC layer
- Millrace south Boat Ramp at Utah Lakeboat ramp, for small motorized craft, administered by Utah DWR in the UGRC layer
- Sandy Beach Hand Launch at Utah Lakehand launch, hand launch, picnic covered area, restrooms
- Saratoga City south Boat Ramp at Utah Lakeboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by a private operator in the UGRC layer
- Saratoga City unamed Boat Ramp at Utah Lakeboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by a private operator in the UGRC layer
- Saratoga Springs Boat Ramp at Utah Lakeboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands in the UGRC layer, covered Picnic ares, drinking water, fish Cleaning Station
- Swede Lane Boat Ramp at Utah Lakeboat ramp, wildlife watching
- Swedes Lane Boat Ramp at Utah Lakeboat ramp, for small motorized craft, administered by Utah DWR in the UGRC layer
- Utah Lake State Park Boat Rampboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands in the UGRC layer, camp host, docks – accessible, drinking water
- Vineyard Center Street Hand Launch at Utah Lakehand launch, hand launch, swimming, trails/shoreline paths
- Goose Point North Hand Launch at Utah Lakehand launch, hand launch, swimming, wildlife watching
- Lebaron Point Hand Launch at Utah Lakehand launch, hand launch, wildlife watching
- Mile Post 13, Mosida Acres Hand Launch at Utah Lakehand launch, hand launch, swimming, wildlife watching
- Mulberry Beach Hand Launch at Utah Lakehand launch, hand launch, swimming, wildlife watching
- Powell Slough, North Access at Utah Lakehand launch, hand launch, wildlife watching
- Tower View Point Hand Launch at Utah Lakehand launch, hand launch, wildlife watching
Utah bank spots around Utah Lake
- 4000 W Lake Shore at Utah Lakeshore access, swimming, wildlife watching
- Airport Dike Road Shore Access at Utah Lakeshore access, wildlife watching
- Eagle Park at Utah Lakeshore access, mountain biking, trails/shoreline paths, wildlife watching
- Goose Point South Shore Access at Utah Lakeshore access
- Hobble Creek WMA Shore Access at Utah Lakeshore access, wildlife watching
- Inlet Park at Utah Lakeshore access, covered Picnic ares, drinking water, restrooms
- Loch Lomond Park at Utah Lakeshore access, covered Picnic ares, cycling, restrooms – accessible
- Vineyard Beach Shore Access at Utah Lakeshore access, covered Picnic ares, swimming, wheelechair access
Utah ramps a short tow past Utah Lake
- Vivian Park Hand Launch at Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam)Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam), 17 miles northeast
- 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), 17 miles northeast
- Trestle Crossing Hand Launch at Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam)Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam), 18 miles northeast
Neither the UGRC layer nor Fish Utah gives launch fees, hours or lane counts for Utah 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 Utah 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 Utah Lake departs from the statewide limits
- Utah LakeLimit 6 largemouth or smallmouth bass (a combined total), only 1 may be over 12 inches. (2027 guidebook, p. 53)
- Utah LakeNo limit on northern pike. Anglers must not release any northern pike they catch. All northern pike must be immediately killed. (2027 guidebook, p. 53)
- Utah LakeAll suckers must be immediately released. (2027 guidebook, p. 53)
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 53 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Rule text from the DWR Fish Utah entry for Utah Lake, unedited (DWR marks them updated Apr 23, 2019):
- Limit 6 largemouth or smallmouth bass (a combined total), only 1 may be over 12 inches. No limit on northern pike. Anglers must not release any northern pike they catch. All northern pike must be immediately killed. All suckers must be immediately released.
- Utah Lake tributaries, Utah County
- (a) Including but not limited to tributaries west
- of I-15: American Fork Creek, Beer Creek, Dry
- Creek, Hobble Creek, Spanish Fork River, Spring
- Creek and Spring Run Creek.
- All suckers must be immediately
- released.
- CLOSED to the possession of walleye
- from March 1 through 6 am on the first
- Saturday of May.
- No limit on northern pike. Anglers must
- not release any northern pike they catch.
- All northern pike must be immediately
- killed.
- CLOSED to nighttime bowfishing (sunset
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Utah Lake (DWR last updated the page Jul 31, 2026), read November 11, 2026.
Utah baseline limits for the fish of Utah Lake
| 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 | – |
| Channel catfish | 8 | same | – |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass (a combined total) | 6 | same | – |
| Northern pike | 20, only 1 over 36 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. |
| 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 Utah 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.
Utah record fish DWR credits to Utah Lake
| Species | Weight or length | Year | Place as DWR prints it | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White bass | 4 lbs. 1 oz. | 1970 | Utah Lake | catch and keep |
| Channel catfish | 32 lbs. 8 oz. | 1978 | Utah Lake | catch and keep |
| Walleye | 33" | 2022 | Utah Lake | catch and release (length) |
| White bass | 13 oz. | 2024 | Utah Lake | spearfishing |
| White bass | 7 oz. | 2016 | Utah Lake | setline |
| Channel catfish | 31 lbs. | 1975 | Utah Lake | setline |
| Utah sucker | 4 lbs. 5 oz. | 1992 | Utah Lake | archery; no longer accepting entries |
Utah state record fish as DWR lists them (records page), read November 11, 2026.
Utah tournament calendar for Utah Lake
For Utah Lake contests, the event page holds the sourced schedule.
Neighboring Utah lakes and Utah Lake
The biggest neighbor here is Salem Pond, which DWR sizes at 11 acres.
| Water | Distance | Size | County | Launches | Species on DWR list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Lake | 96,600 acres | Utah County | 24 | 15 | |
| Jordan River Reservoir (Willow Creek Pond) | 13 miles north | 4 acres | Utah County | 0 | 5 |
| Salem Pond | 14 miles southeast | 11 acres | Utah County | 0 | 9 |
| Manila Creek Pond | 14 miles north | 7 acres | Utah County | 0 | 6 |
| Highland Glen Park Pond | 14 miles north | 3 acres | Utah County | 0 | 9 |
| Wayne Bartholomew Family Park Pond | 15 miles east | 3.3 acres | Utah County | 1 | 4 |
DWR Fish Utah pages, UGRC Boat Ramps and Lakes NHD layers; outline sizes are GIS figures. Read November 11, 2026.
A short way past Utah Lake
Other Utah reservoirs near Utah Lake
- Jordan River Reservoir (Willow Creek Pond)13 miles north
- Salem Pond14 miles southeast
- Manila Creek Pond14 miles north
- Highland Glen Park Pond14 miles north
- Wayne Bartholomew Family Park Pond15 miles east
Shops the Utah Lake regulars use
- Lindon Boat Harbormarina, Lindon, 9 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse, 1075 S University Avebait and tackle shop, Provo, 9 miles
- Al's Sporting Goods, 643 E University Pkwybait and tackle shop, Orem, 9 miles
- Eddie Robinson's Flyfishingfly shop, Orem, 9 miles
- Scott's Fly Shoppefly shop, Spanish Fork, 11 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods, 841 W Pacific Drbait and tackle shop, American Fork, 12 miles
Utah county pages that cover Utah Lake
- Utah Countyseat: Provo
Piscifun gear a Beehive State angler could bring to Utah Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Canyon walls and alpine shorelines by Utah Lake through a lens
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Terry Ott, CC BY 2.0
Questions to settle before the Utah drive to Utah Lake
Where in Utah is Utah Lake?
Look in Utah County; the nearest Census town, Vineyard, is about 8 miles away.
How big does DWR say Utah Lake is?
Fish Utah says 96,600 acres; the UGRC outline is about 91,157 acres of mapped outline.
Which launches does Utah Lake have?
There are 24 launches, including 170 S Vineyard Access at Utah Lake.
Which fish does Fish Utah name for Utah Lake?
DWR lists bullhead, channel catfish, common carp, walleye and white bass; its ratings are odds, not promises.
Which Utah rules apply at Utah Lake?
There are 19 rule lines on file, shown word for word in the limits band.
Which Utah license covers a day at Utah 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 Utah Lake?
DWR lists 8 shore and pier points; 4000 W Lake Shore at Utah Lake is one.
Which Utah tackle shop is nearest Utah Lake?
Nearest listed: Lindon Boat Harbor, about 9 miles away.
Does DWR stock Utah Lake?
DWR logs 20 stocking rows; most recent Oct 8, 2026, sucker.
Is Utah Lake in the Utah record book?
DWR credits Utah Lake with a white bass of 4 lbs. 1 oz., year 1970.
Do Utah clubs hold tournaments on Utah Lake?
See the tournament page for dates and results.
Save a morning for Utah Lake
Buy the DWR license before you tow the boat.