Willard Bay Reservoir Fishing
A Utah reservoir in Box Elder County.
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Willard Bay Reservoir: the Utah short version
DWR gives no acreage for Willard Bay Reservoir, a reservoir in Box Elder County; the UGRC lakes layer traces about 9,991 acres of mapped outline. By straight line, Willard lies about 3 miles from the water.
It is on DWR’s Blue Ribbon fisheries list. Boaters get 2 launches here in the launch data. Bank anglers have 3 shore and pier points from DWR. The Utah guidebook and Fish Utah print 14 rule lines for it.
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 Willard Bay Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 15, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 11, 2026.
The Fish Utah notes for Willard Bay Reservoir
The Fish Utah entry for Willard Bay Reservoir opens:
This reservoir contains walleye, wiper, channel catfish, yellow perch, black crappie, sunfish, smallmouth bass, common carp and gizzard shad. Two areas, North and South Marinas, offer all the amenities for a weekend at the Bay.
Getting to Willard Bay Reservoir, per DWR: Traveling north on I 15, take the exit just north of Smith & Edwards and go west following the signs or go to the Willard exit and go west.
Amenities DWR lists at Willard Bay Reservoir access points: cycling, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, trails/shoreline paths – accessible, wildlife watching, boat Ramp and camp host.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Willard Bay Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 15, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
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For Willard Bay Reservoir, DWR files each species under likely, possible or unlikely.
| Species | DWR rating |
|---|---|
| Black crappie | likely |
| Channel catfish | likely |
| Smallmouth bass | likely |
| Walleye | likely |
| Wiper | likely |
| Bluegill | possible |
| Common carp | possible |
| Green sunfish | possible |
| Largemouth bass | possible |
| Yellow perch | possible |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Willard Bay Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 15, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
The Willard Bay Reservoir stocking log from Utah DWR
These Willard Bay Reservoir stocking rows are copied from Fish Utah; DWR names no length unit.
| Date | Species | Number | Average length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 7, 2026 | Wiper | 3,480 | 0.33 |
| Jun 18, 2026 | Wiper | 2,612 | 9.98 |
| Jun 9, 2026 | Wiper | 219,200 | 0.3 |
| May 11, 2026 | Wiper | 1,058 | 7.79 |
| May 11, 2026 | Wiper | 700 | 7.63 |
| May 11, 2026 | Wiper | 1,060 | 7.48 |
| Apr 7, 2026 | Walleye | 95,701 | 0.31 |
| Apr 6, 2026 | Walleye | 950,405 | 0.31 |
| Apr 5, 2026 | Walleye | 237,542 | 0.31 |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Walleye | 215,654 | 0.19 |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Walleye | 178,868 | 0.19 |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Walleye | 72,027 | 0.19 |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Willard Bay Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 15, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
The latest DWR report for Willard Bay Reservoir
Fishing forecast (September-November): Fall can be a great time to fish Willard Bay Reservoir from shore or a boat. Walleye and wiper: Both species will begin coming in shallower as the water cools. Try casting shad imitating lures (white crankbaits and spinnerbaits) perpendicular to shore.
Read the Willard Bay Reservoir report with its date in mind: Sep 17, 2026.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Willard Bay Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 15, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
Putting a boat in at Willard Bay Reservoir, Utah
- Willard Bay South Marinaboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by Utah State Parks in the UGRC layer, camp host, covered Picnic ares, cycling
- Willard Bay north Boat Rampboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by Utah State Parks in the UGRC layer, camp host, covered Picnic ares, cycling
Utah shore and pier access at Willard Bay Reservoir
- Freeway Bay Shore Access at Willard Bay Reservoirshore access, cycling, hiking, mountain biking
- Northwest Corner Shore Access at Willard Bay Reservoirshore access, cycling, hiking, mountain biking
- Southwest Corner Shore Access at Willard Bay Reservoirshore access, cycling, hiking, mountain biking
Other launch points close to Willard Bay Reservoir
- Mantua Reservoir Boat RampMantua Reservoir, 11 miles northeast
- Pineview Reservoir-North Arm Boat RampPineview Reservoir, 16 miles southeast
- Pineview Reservoir Boat RampPineview Reservoir, 16 miles southeast
- Cemetery Point Boat Ramp at Pineview ReservoirPineview Reservoir, 17 miles southeast
- Middle Inlet Hand Launch at Pineview ReservoirPineview Reservoir, 17 miles southeast
Check with the land manager at Willard Bay Reservoir for fees; the layers record none.
UGRC Boat Ramps layer (ArcGIS service) and the DWR Fish Utah access list, read November 11, 2026.
Reservoir and gauge figures for Willard Bay Reservoir
Reclamation daily values for Willard Bay Reservoir, November 10, 2026.
Bureau of Reclamation Upper Colorado Region reservoir data (hydrodata), latest daily values, read November 11, 2026. Provisional.
For Willard Bay Reservoir, only the USGS line updates on page view.
Size and limit rules for Willard Bay 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.
DWR's map page for Willard Bay Reservoir carries the rule text below, word for word (DWR marks them updated Apr 29, 2019).
- Black Crappie: Limit 10.
- Channel Catfish: Limit 8 (Community Fisheries Limit = 2).
- Smallmouth bass: Largemouth and smallmouth bass, a combined total of 6.
- Walleye: Limit 6, only 1 over 24 inches.
- Wiper: Limit 3.
- Bluegill: Limit 50.
- Common Carp: No Limit – Must either be released or killed immediately – To take nonprohibited nongame fish, you may use angling, traps, archery, dipnets, cast nets, liftnets, seines or a handheld spear from above the surface of the water.
- Green Sunfish: Limit 50.
- Largemouth bass: Largemouth and smallmouth bass, a combined total of 6.
- Yellow Perch: Limit 50.
- Possession and use of commercially sold
- and preserved gizzard shad is allowed –
- Otherwise, possession of gizzard shad,
- dead or alive, is unlawful.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Willard Bay Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 15, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
The DWR statewide table as it applies to Willard Bay 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 | – |
| Channel catfish | 8 | same | – |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass (a combined total) | 6 | same | – |
| Walleye | 10, only 1 over 24 inches | same | – |
| Wiper | 3 | same | – |
| Yellow perch | 50 | same | – |
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 9 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
For a cooler leaving Willard Bay Reservoir, Utah law says: "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.
Blue Ribbon water at Willard Bay Reservoir
Fish Utah files Willard Bay Reservoir under the Blue Ribbon program.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Willard Bay Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Jul 15, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
Record catches DWR logs from Willard Bay Reservoir
| Species | Weight or length | Year | Place as DWR prints it | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carp | 38 lbs. 13 oz. | 2015 | Willard Bay | archery |
Utah state record fish as DWR lists them (records page), read November 11, 2026.
Sizing Willard Bay Reservoir against nearby Utah water
For more room, Goode Ski Lake (21st Street Pond) runs 29 acres by DWR's figure.
| Water | Distance | Size | County | Launches | Species on DWR list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willard Bay Reservoir | about 9,991 acres of mapped outline | Box Elder County | 2 | 10 | |
| Willard Peak Pond | 4 miles northeast | 10 acres | Box Elder County | 0 | 6 |
| Smith Family Park Pond | 4 miles southeast | 5 | Weber County | 0 | 9 |
| Pioneer Park Pond | 10 miles north | 2.5 acres | Box Elder County | 0 | 8 |
| Mayors Pond | 10 miles northeast | 1.5 acres | Box Elder County | 0 | 2 |
| Goode Ski Lake (21st Street Pond) | 11 miles southeast | 29 acres | Weber County | 0 | 6 |
DWR Fish Utah pages, UGRC Boat Ramps and Lakes NHD layers; outline sizes are GIS figures. Read November 11, 2026.
Mapped beside Willard Bay Reservoir
Impoundments a short drive from Willard Bay Reservoir
- Willard Peak Pond4 miles northeast
- Smith Family Park Pond4 miles southeast
- Pioneer Park Pond10 miles north
- Mayors Pond10 miles northeast
- Goode Ski Lake (21st Street Pond)11 miles southeast
Stocking up on line for Willard Bay Reservoir
- Willard Bay State Park North Marinamarina, Willard, 3 miles
- PME Sporting Goodsbait and tackle shop, Brigham City, 7 miles
- North Fork Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Ogden, 12 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse, 1137 W Riverdale Rdbait and tackle shop, Riverdale, 15 miles
- Maniac Custom Luresbait and tackle shop, Brigham City, 15 miles
- Anglers Den Incbait and tackle shop, Ogden, 15 miles
Utah towns with motels near Willard Bay Reservoir
- Willard3 miles
- Plain City5 miles
- Pleasant View6 miles
Which Utah county Willard Bay Reservoir sits in
- Box Elder Countyseat: Brigham City
A Piscifun bundle sized for a trip to Willard Bay Reservoir
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Sorting out the Utah fish of Willard Bay Reservoir by sight
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Argyleist, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Willard Bay Reservoir: what Beehive State anglers ask
Which Utah county holds Willard Bay Reservoir?
It lies in Box Elder County; the nearest Census town, Willard, is about 3 miles away.
How much water is Willard Bay Reservoir?
Only the UGRC outline sizes it: about 9,991 acres of mapped outline.
Can a trailered boat get onto Willard Bay Reservoir?
The UGRC and DWR data list 2 launches; Willard Bay South Marina is one.
Does DWR rate trout at Willard Bay Reservoir?
Look for black crappie, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, walleye and wiper, per DWR's list.
Has DWR written special rules for Willard Bay Reservoir?
Its 14 rule lines are quoted in full above, with the guidebook year.
What does a Utah license cost for Willard Bay 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. Utah asks no license of anglers under 12.
Can a Utah angler fish Willard Bay Reservoir from shore?
Try Freeway Bay Shore Access at Willard Bay Reservoir, one of 3 shore and pier points.
Which store is handiest for Willard Bay Reservoir?
Our Utah list points to Willard Bay State Park North Marina, about 3 miles away.
Is Willard Bay Reservoir high or low?
The level band shows the newest value with its agency and date.
When did DWR last stock Willard Bay Reservoir?
The newest of 26 stocking rows is Jul 7, 2026: wiper.
Which Utah record came from Willard Bay Reservoir?
Willard Bay carries the carp entry at 38 lbs. 13 oz., year 2015.
Where does Willard Bay Reservoir stand in the Blue Ribbon program?
Fish Utah carries the Blue Ribbon label for it.
Put Willard Bay Reservoir on the Utah calendar
Read the dated limits, then pick a launch.