Fishing near Provo, Utah
City, Utah County. Census 2020 residents: 115,162.
- 8 milesWayne Bartholomew Family Park Pond
- 8launches within 20 mi
- 6rivers within 25 mi
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Wetting a line near Provo, Utah
Census 2020 figures put 115,162 people in the Utah County city of Provo. The town also hosts the Utah County seat in Utah. Some 8 miles southeast of town is Wayne Bartholomew Family Park Pond, the nearest lake covered here. Among the nearby lakes, Utah Lake is the biggest at 96,600 acres.
The shortest tow runs 3 miles to Millrace north Boat Ramp at Utah Lake. The closest stream page is Lower Provo River (Center Street Bridge to I-15), 3 miles away. Bank casters drive about 8 miles to Frazier Pull-off Shore Access at Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam). For alpine lakes, the Uinta Mountains, Provo River area is some 42 miles from town.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 11, 2026. Straight-line miles from the Census place point.
Utah lakes a drive from Provo
| Lake | From Provo | Size | Launches | Status | DWR lists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Bartholomew Family Park Pond | 8 miles southeast | 3.3 acres | 1 | community fishery | rainbow trout, tiger trout |
| Vivian Park Pond (Provo Canyon) | 9 miles northeast | 1 acres | 0 | community fishery | rainbow trout |
| Utah Lake | 10 miles west | 96,600 acres | 24 | natural lake | bullhead, channel catfish, common carp, walleye, white bass, sucker |
| Canyon View Park Pond | 11 miles south | 0.8 acres | 0 | community fishery | rainbow trout, channel catfish |
| Manila Creek Pond | 12 miles northwest | 7 acres | 0 | community fishery | bluegill, green sunfish, rainbow trout, tiger trout |
| Spanish Oaks Reservoir | 12 miles south | 5 acres | 0 | community fishery | rainbow trout, bonneville cutthroat trout |
Size as the DWR Fish Utah page for this water prints it (DWR), read November 11, 2026. Waters with no DWR acreage print their mapped outline instead. Utah DWR Fish Utah planner (dwrapps.utah.gov), read November 11, 2026.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Wadeable streams near Provo
- Lower Provo River (Center Street Bridge to I-15)3 miles, guidebook entry, 2 USGS gauges
- Lower Provo River (I-15 to Olmstead Diversion)6 miles, guidebook entry, 3 USGS gauges
- Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam)10 miles, Blue Ribbon water, guidebook entry, 12 DWR access points, 4 USGS gauges
- American Fork Creek14 miles, DWR stream reach
- Diamond Fork River17 miles, DWR stream reach
- Middle Provo River (Legacy Bridge to Jordanelle Dam)24 miles, Blue Ribbon water, guidebook entry, 10 DWR access points, 4 USGS gauges
Utah stream gauges close to Provo
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Provo River At Provo, Ut | 109 cfs, 4.15 ft gage height | Nov 12 4:45 pm |
| Hobble Creek At 1650 West At Springville, Utah | 17 cfs, 3.81 ft gage height | Nov 12 4:30 pm |
| American Fk Ab Upper Powerplant Nr American Fk, Ut | 23 cfs, 6.20 ft gage height | Nov 12 5:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 5:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Utah DWR Fish Utah planner (dwrapps.utah.gov), read November 11, 2026. USGS Water Data for the Nation, live through the site, retrieved on page view.
Backcountry Utah basins near Provo
- Uinta Mountains, Provo River42 miles, brook trout, bonneville cutthroat trout, grayling Arctic
- Uinta Mountains, Weber River45 miles, brook trout, bonneville cutthroat trout, grayling Arctic
- Uinta Mountains, Duchesne River47 miles, brook trout, bonneville cutthroat trout, grayling Arctic, rainbow trout
Utah DWR Fish Utah planner (dwrapps.utah.gov), read November 11, 2026.
Provo ramps and lakes, mapped
UGRC Boat Ramps layer (ArcGIS service) and the DWR Fish Utah access list, read November 11, 2026. Census place point.
Utah boat put-ins closest to Provo
- Millrace north Boat Ramp at Utah Lake3 miles, Utah Lake, boat ramp, for small motorized craft, administered by Utah DWR in the UGRC layer
- Millrace south Boat Ramp at Utah Lake3 miles, Utah Lake, boat ramp, for small motorized craft, administered by Utah DWR in the UGRC layer
- Utah Lake State Park Boat Ramp5 miles, Utah Lake, boat 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
- Swedes Lane Boat Ramp at Utah Lake6 miles, Utah Lake, boat ramp, for small motorized craft, administered by Utah DWR in the UGRC layer
- Lindon Boat Harbor at Utah Lake8 miles, Utah Lake, boat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by a private operator in the UGRC layer, docks – accessible, picnic tables, primitive (Tent)
- Vivian Park Hand Launch at Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam)9 miles, Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam), hand launch, covered Picnic ares, cycling, fire rings
- Primitive Pull-off 1 Hand Launch at Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam)9 miles, Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam), hand launch, hand launch, restrooms
- Trestle Crossing Hand Launch at Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam)10 miles, Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam), hand launch, hand launch, restrooms, swimming
Casting from land close to Provo
- Frazier Pull-off Shore Access at Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam)8 miles, Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam), shore access
- Primitive Pull-off 2 Shore Access at Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam)10 miles, Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam), shore access
- Deer Creek Park at Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam)12 miles, Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam), shore access
UGRC Boat Ramps layer (ArcGIS service) and the DWR Fish Utah access list, read November 11, 2026.
Stocked Utah water handy to Provo
| Lake | From Provo | Date | Species | Fish | Average length as printed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Bartholomew Family Park Pond | 8 miles | Sep 29, 2026 | Rainbow | 899 | 11.05 |
| Wayne Bartholomew Family Park Pond | 8 miles | Sep 14, 2026 | Rainbow | 999 | 10.99 |
| Wayne Bartholomew Family Park Pond | 8 miles | Sep 3, 2026 | Rainbow | 1,002 | 11.07 |
| Vivian Park Pond (Provo Canyon) | 9 miles | Jul 27, 2026 | Rainbow | 425 | 10.78 |
| Vivian Park Pond (Provo Canyon) | 9 miles | Jul 13, 2026 | Rainbow | 200 | 11.22 |
| Vivian Park Pond (Provo Canyon) | 9 miles | Jun 22, 2026 | Rainbow | 203 | 10.32 |
| Utah Lake | 10 miles | Oct 8, 2026 | Sucker | 11,894 | 7.51 |
| Utah Lake | 10 miles | Oct 7, 2026 | Channel catfish | 1,498 | 4.25 |
| Utah Lake | 10 miles | Jun 17, 2026 | Sucker | 21,575 | 11.26 |
| Canyon View Park Pond | 11 miles | Jun 2, 2026 | Rainbow | 430 | 10.0 |
DWR fish stocking table for 2026, year to date (DWR stocking report; water names are DWR abbreviations), read November 11, 2026. DWR prints the average length with no unit.
What the Utah guidebooks let Provo anglers keep
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. Around Provo, the statewide rows apply wherever a water has no entry of its own. DWR charges adults $40 (resident) or $120 (nonresident) for a fishing license good 365 days from purchase.
| Species group | 2027 daily limit | 2026 daily limit | Guidebook note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baitfish (common carp, fathead minnow, redside shiner, Utah sucker, Utah chub, white sucker) | No limit | same | (NEW) Formerly called "nongame species"; baitfish species are listed on page 20. |
| Black crappie and white crappie (a combined total) | 50 | same | – |
| Bluegill and green sunfish (a combined total) | 50 | same | – |
| Bonneville cisco | 30 | same | – |
| Bullhead | 24 | same | – |
| Burbot | No limit | same | REMINDER: Do not release any burbot you catch. All burbot caught must be immediately killed. |
| Channel catfish | 8 | same | – |
| Community fisheries | 2 | 2 | The limit includes fish of most species. All tiger muskellunge must be released. NEW: There are restrictions for largemouth bass at some waters. See page 39. |
| Crayfish | No limit | same | REMINDER: You may use bait to catch crayfish on waters where bait use is prohibited for fish, as long as none of the lines have hooks attached. |
| Kokanee salmon | See trout limit | same | Kokanee salmon are part of the total trout limit. Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30. |
- Wayne Bartholomew Family Park PondThe daily limit is 2 fish (common carp do not count toward the daily limit). (Fish Utah page)
- Vivian Park Pond (Provo Canyon)The daily limit is 2 fish (common carp do not count toward the daily limit). (Fish Utah page)
- Utah LakeLimit 6 largemouth or smallmouth bass (a combined total), only 1 may be over 12 inches. (2027 guidebook, p. 53)
- Canyon View Park PondThe daily limit is 2 fish (common carp do not count toward the daily limit). (Fish Utah page)
- Manila Creek PondThe daily limit is 2 fish (common carp do not count toward the daily limit). (Fish Utah page)
- Spanish Oaks ReservoirThe daily limit is 2 fish (common carp do not count toward the daily limit). (Fish Utah page)
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026. 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.
Record-list Utah waters near Provo
| Species | Weight or length as listed | Water | Year | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 15 lbs. 9 oz. | Lower Provo River (I-15 to Olmstead Diversion) | 1991 | catch and keep |
| Brown trout | 34" | Lower Provo River (I-15 to Olmstead Diversion) | 2015 | catch and release (length) |
| White bass | 4 lbs. 1 oz. | Utah Lake | 1970 | catch and keep |
| Channel catfish | 32 lbs. 8 oz. | Utah Lake | 1978 | catch and keep |
| Walleye | 33" | Utah Lake | 2022 | catch and release (length) |
Utah state record fish as DWR lists them (records page), read November 11, 2026. Record waters within 60 miles.
DWR-listed events near Provo
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 6, 2027 | Frozen Frenzy- Strawberry Reservoir | Strawberry Reservoir | Frozen Frenzy |
| Sept. 19, 2026 | UBTT Northern Utah Division, Jordanelle, Northern Utah (result) | Jordanelle Reservoir | Ultimate Bass Team Tour, LLC (Cedar City, Utah) |
| May 30, 2026 | UBTT Northern Utah Division, Jordanelle, Northern Utah (result) | Jordanelle Reservoir | Ultimate Bass Team Tour, LLC (Cedar City, Utah) |
| April 11, 2026 | The Great Carp Hunt 2026 (boat category), Utah Lake, boat teams (result) | Utah Lake | Utah Lake Authority |
| April 11, 2026 | The Great Carp Hunt 2026 (shore category), Utah Lake, shore (result) | Utah Lake | Utah Lake Authority |
| no date printed | The Great Carp Hunt 2025, Utah Lake, season total (result) | Utah Lake | Utah Lake Authority |
Event as listed by the organizer (source), read November 11, 2026.
Utah bait counters close to Provo
Tackle counters on the drive to Provo
- Sportsman's Warehouse, 1075 S University Avebait and tackle shop, Provo, 2 miles
- Al's Sporting Goods, 643 E University Pkwybait and tackle shop, Orem, 3 miles
- Eddie Robinson's Flyfishingfly shop, Orem, 3 miles
- Lindon Boat Harbormarina, Lindon, 8 miles
- Scott's Fly Shoppefly shop, Spanish Fork, 9 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods, 841 W Pacific Drbait and tackle shop, American Fork, 13 miles
- Hook Line Sinkerbait and tackle shop, Payson, 16 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse, 851 N Redwood Rdbait and tackle shop, Saratoga Springs, 17 miles
Yellow Pages, Utah State Parks and NPS listings; miles only where the listing has an exact address point, read November 11, 2026.
In the same basin as Provo
More Utah towns near Provo
- Orem5 miles, 2020 count 98,129
- Springville6 miles, 2020 count 35,268
- Vineyard7 miles, 2020 count 12,543
- Lindon8 miles, 2020 count 11,397
- Spanish Fork9 miles, 2020 count 42,602
Lakes and ponds around Provo
- Wayne Bartholomew Family Park Pond8 miles
- Vivian Park Pond (Provo Canyon)9 miles
- Utah Lake10 miles
- Canyon View Park Pond11 miles
- Utah Countycounty page
Piscifun tackle chosen for a Utah day at Provo
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Reservoirs, high lakes and wadeable creeks around Provo, pictured
Photo: Terry Ott, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Chispero, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Michael Jolley, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
What a Provo fishing stay raises
Which DWR lake sits closest to Provo?
Wayne Bartholomew Family Park Pond, about 8 miles southeast.
Is there a public Utah boat ramp near Provo?
Millrace north Boat Ramp at Utah Lake, 3 miles away, on Utah Lake.
Is there a DWR fishing pier near Provo?
Frazier Pull-off Shore Access at Lower Provo River (Olmstead Diversion to Deer Creek Dam), 8 miles away (shore access).
Where can I buy bait near Provo, Utah?
Sportsman's Warehouse, 1075 S University Ave, one of 8 listings nearby.
Which Utah county is Provo part of?
Utah County. It is also the county seat.
What Utah license do visitors to Provo need?
Licenses in Utah run 365 days from the purchase date: $40 for a resident adult, $120 for a nonresident adult.
Where else in Utah could I stay near Provo?
Orem (5 miles), Springville (6 miles) and Vineyard (7 miles).
What Utah trout rule applies around Provo?
Statewide, the trout, kokanee and grayling row sets a daily limit 4 under the 2027 guidebook, and the 2026 guidebook matches it. Lakes with their own entry differ.
Which Utah river is closest to Provo?
Lower Provo River (Center Street Bridge to I-15) lies roughly 3 miles from town.
Which lake near Provo got DWR hatchery fish?
Fish Utah lists Rainbow at Wayne Bartholomew Family Park Pond on Sep 29, 2026, 8 miles from town.
Which events fish water near Provo?
Frozen Frenzy- Strawberry Reservoir on Strawberry Reservoir, Feb. 6, 2027.
Can I hike to fishing lakes from Provo?
The Uinta Mountains, Provo River area, about 42 miles away, on DWR's list.
Head for the reservoir from Provo
River pages show DWR access points and USGS flow.