Bluegill in Utah
Where bluegill fit in the Utah guidebooks, the record tables and the Fish Utah lists.
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Bluegill: the Beehive State summary
Under the 2027 guidebook, bluegill fall in the statewide row "Bluegill and green sunfish (a combined total)" with a daily limit of 50. The 2026 guidebook in force through December 31, 2026 prints the same figure.
The DWR planner ties it to 65 waters built here, likely at 41 of those. Check Mantua Reservoir and the other 5 guidebook entries that set it apart. It shows up 3 times in the Utah record tables.
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 9 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
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| Statewide row | 2027 daily | 2026 daily | Note as printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill and green sunfish (a combined total) | 50 | same |
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.
A possession limit is twice the daily limit statewide; Flaming Gorge is held to one.
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 9 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Utah Admin. Code R657-13 (R657-13-19), last changed June 23, 2026 as printed on the DWR rules page, read November 11, 2026.
Utah lakes and streams with a bluegill exception
| Water as printed | County | Rule lines | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mantua Reservoir | Box Elder County | (NEW) Limit 15 bluegill. | NEW 2027 |
| Red Fleet Reservoir | Uintah County | Limit 50 bluegill, green sunfish, black crappie and yellow perch (a combined total) and no more than 20 of those fish may be black crappie. | both editions |
| Stansbury Lake | Tooele County | Limit 10 bluegill, green sunfish and black crappie (a combined total). | both editions |
| Starvation Reservoir | Duchesne County | Limit 10 bluegill, green sunfish, black crappie and yellow perch (a combined total). | NEW 2027 |
| Willard Peak Pond (formerly called The Pond at Willard Bay) | Box Elder County | Limit 5 bluegill. | both editions |
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 35-58 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Record bluegill from Utah waters
| Category | Weight | Length | Water | Year | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catch and keep (by weight) | 2 lbs. 8 oz. | 12 ¼" | Quail Creek Reservoir | 2024 | |
| Catch and release (by length) | – | 11 ⅝" | Pelican Lake | 2007 | |
| Spearfishing | 14 oz. | 9 ¾" | Steinaker Reservoir | 2009 |
Utah state record fish as DWR lists them (records page), read November 11, 2026.
Finding bluegill on Fish Utah
DWR writes likely, possible or unlikely beside each species on Fish Utah, and those words are copied here; stocked means a recent planting row.
- Pelican LakeDWR: likely; Uintah County
- Steinaker ReservoirDWR: likely; Uintah County
- Quail Creek ReservoirDWR: likely; Washington County
- Mantua ReservoirDWR: likely; Box Elder County
- Red Fleet ReservoirDWR: likely; Uintah County
- Newton ReservoirDWR: likely; Cache County
- Gunlock ReservoirDWR: likely; Washington County
- Recapture ReservoirDWR: likely; San Juan County
- Wide Hollow ReservoirDWR: likely; Garfield County
- Jordan RiverDWR: likely; Salt Lake County
- Andy Adams ReservoirDWR: likely; Davis County
- Bountiful LakeDWR: likely; Davis County
- Holmes Creek ReservoirDWR: likely; Davis County
- Goode Ski Lake (21st Street Pond)DWR: likely; Weber County
- Salem PondDWR: likely; Utah County
- Willard Peak PondDWR: likely; Box Elder County
- Lake at the Hills (Leigh Hill)DWR: likely; Iron County
- Danny R. Crump Fishing Pond (Riverton City Pond)DWR: likely; Salt Lake County
- Manila Creek PondDWR: likely; Utah County
- Wellsville ReservoirDWR: likely; Cache County
- Spring LakeDWR: likely; Utah County
- Kaysville PondsDWR: likely; Davis County
- Jordan River Reservoir (Willow Creek Pond)DWR: likely; Utah County
- Willow PondDWR: likely; Salt Lake County
- Carbon County Community Fishing PondDWR: likely; Carbon County
- Grandpas Pond (Sandy Community Fishery)DWR: likely; Salt Lake County
- Millrace Park PondDWR: likely; Salt Lake County
- Pioneer Park PondDWR: likely; Box Elder County
- Steed PondDWR: likely; Davis County
- Fort Buenaventura PondDWR: likely; Weber County
Utah DWR Fish Utah planner (dwrapps.utah.gov), read November 11, 2026.
Fish counted with bluegill in Utah
These fish count toward one combined daily total, so a mixed bag still stops at the row's limit.
- Green sunfishBluegill and green sunfish (a combined total)
Utah shorelines worth a frame near Bluegill
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Eric Kilby, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Christopher Eugene Lee, Public domain
Bluegill from the Wasatch to the red rock, answered
What does the 2027 guidebook allow for bluegill?
Under the 2027 guidebook, bluegill fall in the statewide row "Bluegill and green sunfish (a combined total)" with a daily limit of 50. The 2026 guidebook in force through December 31, 2026 prints the same figure.
Does the guidebook list exceptions for bluegill?
Check Mantua Reservoir and the other 5 guidebook entries that set it apart.
Which water holds the Utah bluegill record?
The catch and keep (by weight) record is 2 lbs. 8 oz., Quail Creek Reservoir, 2024.
Where does DWR rate bluegill as likely?
Pelican Lake, Steinaker Reservoir and Quail Creek Reservoir lead the 65 pages that name it.
Does DWR make anglers release bluegill?
Harvest is allowed within the limits above.
What does DWR charge before I cast for bluegill?
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.
What does a record bluegill need in Utah?
The DWR records page accepts new claims in five categories.
Does Utah cap bluegill in the freezer?
Hold no more than two days' limit, or one at Flaming Gorge.