Utah Border Waters
Bear Lake with Idaho, Lake Powell with Arizona and Flaming Gorge with Wyoming: how each license agreement works.
For weighing a catchPiscifun Lip gripper with digital scale27% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Lake Powell: Eric Kilby, CC BY-SA 2.0
Utah waters shared with a neighboring state
Three Utah reservoirs and lakes cross a state line: Bear Lake with Idaho, Lake Powell with Arizona and Flaming Gorge Reservoir with Wyoming. Bear Lake and Lake Powell work on full reciprocity for any valid license from either state; Flaming Gorge needs a resident license plus a reciprocal permit from the other state.
Pages on this site for these three waters print sizes for the Utah part only.
| Water | Shared with | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Lake | Idaho | R657-13-5(2) |
| Lake Powell | Arizona | R657-13-5(3) |
| Flaming Gorge Reservoir | Wyoming | R657-13-5(4) |
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 10 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
How the Bear Lake agreement with Idaho reads
If you have a valid Utah or Idaho fishing or combination license—whether you are a resident or nonresident—you may fish both the Utah and Idaho portions of the lake, as long as you follow the angling regulations that apply to the state where you are fishing. It is your responsibility to know and follow each state’s laws and rules for Bear Lake. REMINDER: Even if you are licensed in both states, you may only take one daily limit each day.
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 10 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
How the Lake Powell agreement with Arizona reads
If you have a valid Utah or Arizona fishing or combination license—whether you are a resident or nonresident—you may fish both the Utah and Arizona portions of the lake, as long as you follow the angling regulations that apply to the state where you are fishing. It is your responsibility to know and follow each state’s laws and rules for Lake Powell. REMINDER: Even if you are licensed in both states, you may only take one daily limit each day.
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 11 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
How the Flaming Gorge Reservoir agreement with Wyoming reads
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. 11 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Utah shoreline photos accompanying Utah Border Waters
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ, Public domain
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Jim Hedd, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Utah state-line fishing, answered
Can I fish all of Bear Lake on a Utah license?
Yes. A valid Utah or Idaho fishing or combination license covers both sides, following the rules of the state you are standing or floating in.
Does a Utah license cover the Arizona side of Lake Powell?
Yes. Utah and Arizona licenses work on both sides; the rules of the state you are in apply.
How does Flaming Gorge licensing work?
Residents of Utah or Wyoming need their own state’s resident license plus the other state’s reciprocal permit to fish across the line.
What does the Wyoming reciprocal permit cost in Utah?
The guidebook prints $59 for the Flaming Gorge, Utah reciprocal permit for Wyoming residents.
Can I keep two limits if I hold both licenses?
No. On Bear Lake and Lake Powell you may take only one daily limit a day even when licensed in both states.
What about nonresidents at Flaming Gorge?
The reciprocal permit is for residents of the two states; a nonresident buys the license of each state they fish in.
Is the possession limit different at Flaming Gorge?
Yes, one daily limit at most, regardless of when the fish were caught.
Do these rules change in 2027?
Both guidebooks print the same border-water text.