Burbot in Utah
Utah rules and waters for burbot, every figure dated and sourced.
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Burbot across Utah, summed up
The 2027 guidebook lists burbot in its "Burbot" line with the words "No limit". The 2026 edition, still the rule book until December 31, 2026, carries the identical number.
It appears on 2 Utah water pages through Fish Utah, rated likely on 1. Its rule changes on 7 waters in the guidebook list, Colorado River among them.
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 9 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Statewide burbot numbers in the two Utah guidebooks
| Statewide row | 2027 daily | 2026 daily | Note as printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burbot | No limit | same | REMINDER: Do not release any burbot you catch. All burbot caught must be immediately killed. |
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.
The doubled possession rule applies everywhere but Flaming Gorge, where one limit is the ceiling.
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 rules for a caught burbot
prohibited nuisance: do not release; keep (dead) and report to DWR (burbot at Flaming Gorge need not be reported)
The 2027 guidebook lists it among the prohibited nuisance fish on page 19.
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 19 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Utah waters with their own burbot rule
| Water as printed | County | Rule lines | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado River | Garfield, Grand, San Juan and Wayne counties | No limit for burbot, northern pike, smallmouth bass or walleye. Anglers may not release any of these fish, which must be immediately killed. | both editions |
| Colorado River tributaries | Garfield, Grand and Wayne counties | No limit for burbot, northern pike, smallmouth bass or walleye. Anglers may not release any of these fish, which must be immediately killed. | both editions |
| Flaming Gorge Reservoir | Daggett County | No limit for burbot. Anglers must not release any burbot they catch. All burbot must be immediately killed. Anglers may use dead burbot as bait. Chumming is allowed, but you may chum only with legal baits, dead burbot or lake trout, as specified in Utah Admin. Rule R657-13-12. | both editions |
| Green River | Carbon, Daggett, Emery, Grand, San Juan, Uintah and Wayne counties | No limit for burbot, northern pike, smallmouth bass or walleye. Anglers may not release any of these fish, which must be immediately killed. No limit for burbot, northern pike, smallmouth bass or walleye. Anglers may not release any of these fish, which must be immediately killed. | both editions |
| Green River tributaries | Carbon, Duchesne, Emery and Uintah counties | No limit for burbot, northern pike, smallmouth bass or walleye. Anglers may not release any of these fish, which must be immediately killed. | both editions |
| San Juan River | San Juan County | No limit for burbot, northern pike, smallmouth bass or walleye. Anglers may not release any of these fish, which must be immediately killed. | both editions |
| San Juan River tributaries | San Juan County | No limit for burbot, northern pike, smallmouth bass or walleye. Anglers may not release any of these fish, which must be immediately killed. | both editions |
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 35-58 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Every Utah special-water entry
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Read each label as the DWR planner prints it; stocked marks a recent DWR planting.
- Flaming Gorge ReservoirDWR: likely; Daggett County
- Green River in northeastern UtahDWR: invasive species; Uintah County
Utah DWR Fish Utah planner (dwrapps.utah.gov), read November 11, 2026.
Photo of Flaming Gorge Reservoir: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 4.0
Burbot in Utah: questions that come up
What is the Utah daily limit for burbot?
The 2027 guidebook lists burbot in its "Burbot" line with the words "No limit". The 2026 edition, still the rule book until December 31, 2026, carries the identical number.
Do some Utah waters change the burbot rule?
Its rule changes on 7 waters in the guidebook list, Colorado River among them.
Where was the record burbot caught in Utah?
No DWR record is listed.
Which Utah water pages carry burbot?
Flaming Gorge Reservoir and Green River in northeastern Utah, plus others for 2 in all.
Does Utah protect burbot from harvest?
prohibited nuisance: do not release; keep (dead) and report to DWR (burbot at Flaming Gorge need not be reported)
Does a visitor chasing burbot need 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. Wyoming residents can add the $59 Flaming Gorge, Utah reciprocal permit printed in the guidebook.
How does DWR accept a record burbot?
Submissions go through the DWR records page, which lists catch-and-keep, catch-and-release, spearfishing, setline and archery tables.
How many burbot may I hold in Utah?
Two daily limits, not counting fish at your permanent residence; Flaming Gorge allows one.