Utah Fishing Regulations

Utah is a beautiful state brimming with hundreds of fishable lakes and streams. Its waters are a treasure trove of fish species ranging from the elusive red kokanee salmon to the dozens of colorful trout and bass.

Do you want to start angling in Utah’s scenic, fish-packed waters? You need to know how to do it legally, ethically and safely.

Importance of Adhering to Regulations

Utah’s fishing regulations exist for various reasons, and following them is about more than just avoiding a fine. These rules aim to protect fish populations so future generations can enjoy fishing as much as you do.

Maintaining the fishery is a key reason these rules exist. They may seem like a hindrance at first. For example, if the trout limit per person is five, you get in trouble for catching a sixth. What’s one extra fish? However, if every angler catches just one more than the limit, you risk putting a considerable dent in the trout population or even wiping it out completely.

Every angler wants to enjoy the waters and reap the rewards of their patience. It’s your responsibility to ensure you and every other angler can.

General Fishing Laws in Utah

The first law you must know if you want to fish in Utah is that anyone 12 years or older requires a fishing license. The type you buy varies depending on your age, where and how often you wish to fish and your residential status.

The only day you don’t need a license to fish in Utah is on the Free Fishing Day. This event takes place every Juni, and regulations still apply.

Anglers under 12 don’t need a license and can use two poles and a setline but must still adhere to daily limits. Anyone 12 years or older must choose from the following licenses:

• Three-day
• Seven-day
• 365-day
• Multi-year (up to five years)
• Combination
• Reciprocal
• Setline

Ensure you have your license with you whenever you go fishing. Remember that altering it or transferring it to someone else is illegal.

Fishing Methods

In Utah, you must follow specific methods to take game fish or crayfish. These rules exist to keep fishing entertaining and ethical.

Angling

Angling is the standard hook, line and sinker attached to a fishing pole. You’re allowed to catch game fish by angling with a valid Utah fishing license.

The rules for angling in Utah state that your license only allows you one daily fish limit. It also allows you to fish with two poles. However, that doesn’t mean you get more than one daily limit.

When angling, your line can’t have more than three baited hooks, artificial flies or artificial lures at once. You also can’t have an artificial lure with over three hooks. Additional hooks or lines are only permitted when fishing for crayfish, using a setline or ice fishing at Flaming Gorge.

Your equipment must remain within your sight (no more than 100 feet) at all times unless you possess a setline permit. When ice fishing using the angling method, you can’t fish through a hole in the ice wider than 12 inches unless at Bear Lake, Fish Lake or Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

If you want to fish from a boat, float tube or other watercraft, it’s legal at any waterbody that authorizes it.

Bait

Bait is what you attach to your line to lure the fish in. There are various restrictions on the type you can use in Utah. Corn is the only one permitted everywhere in the state. You can’t have or use tiger salamanders, live baitfish or artificial baits commercially covered or embedded with fish or fish parts. 

PowerBait and scented jigs are only allowed in permitted areas. Fresh and frozen fish or fish parts are restricted except for certain species in specific locations. 

Live crayfish are only allowed as bait where you catch them. You can also use bait without hooks to catch them in prohibited areas.

Baitfish that have been chemically treated and prepared commercially are allowed as bait in permitted waters. They can’t be used in prohibited areas.

Setline Fishing

Setline fishing refers to lines with multiple hooks anchored to stationary objects not connected to a fishing rod. For example, you can attach your setline to an anchored EZ Dock as long as a fishing pole isn’t coupled to it.

To receive and use a setline permit, you need either a seven-day, three-day, multi-year or 365-day Utah combination or general fishing license. Once you have it, you can only take fish using it from Utah Lake, Little Bear River, Bear River proper and Malad River.

Fishing regulations in Utah state that it’s illegal to have over 15 hooks on a setline, and you have to be within 100 yards of the water bank or surface you’re set up from.

Your setline must have your permit number, address and name on a fastened tag.

Dipnetting

Dipnetting is a traditional form of fishing that originated in Europe. It involves using a wide net to scoop fish out of a waterbody. The net types and sizes used vary depending on the fishery, while methods remain similar. You can use a dipnet from your boat or the shore, provided you follow the fishing laws in Utah.

A hand-held dipnet is illegal as the initial fishing method unless you’re casting for Bonneville cisco at Bear Lake. However, you can use it to land any game you caught legally by angling. 

Your dipnet’s opening mustn’t exceed 18 inches when fishing at Bear Lake for Bonneville cisco. However, the hole you drill when dipnetting through the ice can be any size you want. 

If you’re after crayfish and permitted nongame fish, you can use a hand-held dipnet as you please.

Underwater Spearfishing

Underwater spearfishing involves catching fish by submerging yourself beneath the water using a single breath. This method gives anglers a more intimate and educational experience. It lets you see the ecosystem the fish live in and how they use structures for cover.

If you want to spearfish legally in Utah, abide by these rules:

• Stick to the defined limits: Seasonal closures and daily and length limits apply to underwater spearfishing.
• Refrain from using illegal equipment: Free shafting and using artificial light are illegal while underwater spearfishing.
• Adhere to time limitations: You’re allowed to underwater spearfish from official sunrise to official sunset.
• Learn the exceptions: Flaming Gorge allows underwater spearfishing for burbot 24/7 with artificial light. Other fishing spots may have other exceptions you can take advantage of. 
• Research the relevant spots for you: Only 17 waterbodies allow underwater spearfishing in Utah, including Causey Reservoir, Sand Lake and Electric Lake.

Bowfishing

Bowfishing involves using archery tackle to impale and catch fish. Most Utah waterbodies permit this method for nongame and nonprotected fish like carp. Most areas allow the use of spotlights while bowfishing at night. 

According to Utah fishing laws, fishing with crossbows is legal in any fishable water for carp only. Crossbows and archery tackle are weapons, so you can’t discharge them within 600 feet of a building.

Utah Fishing Seasons

The Utah fishing season runs year-round from Januar 1 to Desember 31. You’re allowed to catch fish by angling and setline 24 hours a day. Utah permits underwater spearfishing between official sunrise and sunset.

There are some exceptions to the season for certain species and waters.

Open Seasons for Different Species and Waters

From April 1 to Juni 25, you can’t use spearfishing to take smallmouth and largemouth bass from various waters, including Echo Reservoir, Lake Powell and Deer Creek Reservoir.

You can’t go bowfishing at Utah Lake’s tributaries between sunrise and sunset from Mai 7 until 6 a.m. on Juli 9.

Underwater spearfishing is permitted on all species at Fish Lake from 6 a.m. on Juni 4 until official sunset on September 9.

Utah has a statewide closure on Kokanee salmon fishing from September 10 to November 30. During this period, no angler may possess this fish at any waterbody across the state.

Closed Areas

Every fish hatchery in Utah is permanently closed to fishing. Waterflow Management Areas (WMAs) are also restricted unless otherwise stated. The state’s national wildlife refuges remain closed unless the managing authority declares them open.

Catch Limits

Daily catch limits dictate how many fish of a particular type you’re allowed to take home each day. Some limits vary depending on the waters, size or bag. While you might want to take full advantage of every fish in a lake, it’s best to leave some for tomorrow. 

Here are some quantities and sizes that apply to most places in Utah:

• Northern pike: 20 (only allowed 1 over 36 inches in length)
• Bonneville cisco: 30
• Striped bass: No limit
• Burbot: No limit (do not release any you catch—kill them immediately)
• White bass: No limit
• Bluegill and green sunfish: Combined total of 50
• Bullhead: 24
• Whitefish: 10
• Channel catfish: 8
• Largemouth and smallmouth bass: Combined total of 6

Enforcement of Catch Limits in Utah

Anglers are the first line of defense against wildlife violations. It’s essential that you report anyone who commits a crime against Utah fisheries. These violations can impact fish populations and could lead to future generations having broader fishing restrictions or no fish at all.

An angler caught breaking fishing laws could lose their right to fish in Utah and other states in America. They may also have to pay for the damage caused to the fishery they violated.

Species Restrictions

Utah classifies the possession and collection of fish, crustaceans and mollusks under the following three groups:

• Controlled: Species that could impact or damage native mollusk, crustacean, fish or sportfish populations if released illegally into Utah.
• Noncontrolled: Species unlikely to survive and minimally impact other species if illegally introduced in Utah.
• Prohibited: Species classified under the Endangered Species Act as threatened or endangered. These also include species documented causing economic or ecological harm within the U.S. You can’t possess or collect any amount of these fish unless you claim a certificate from the Utah Wildlife Board.

Permit Requirements

To purchase a fishing license or permit, you must be 12 years or older. Specific permits require you first to have a fishing license.

Types of Permits

Licenses and permits range from $5–$44 for residents and $10–$150 for non-residents. A license allows you to fish for anywhere from three days to five years.

You can also obtain a reciprocal license if you wish to take your angling skills across state lines. Utah shares three lakes with neighboring states.

Utah veterans disabled in the line of duty can also obtain discounted licenses. The Division offers them at $12 instead of $40, and they’re valid for 365 days.

Utah offers a free fishing license for residents with terminal illnesses and specific mental or physical disabilities. Children placed into the state’s custody may also qualify for this license.

Process for Applying and Renewing Licenses

The Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) makes getting your fishing license in Utah a simple process. All you need is a credit or debit card and your information. There are three ways you can apply and renew it:

• Online: You can buy or renew a fishing license online through the DWR website. Have your credit card ready to make payment.
• By phone: If you prefer to talk to someone at the DWR directly, you can call them. Have your credit or debit card handy.
• In-person: You can also head to any Utah DWR office or licensed agent to purchase or renew your fishing license. The DWR website also provides a locator to help you find an agent near you.

Protected Areas

Fishing at every waterbody you come across would be incredible, but some require protecting. Being eco-friendly isn’t just about using harmless and recyclable materials — it’s also about conserving the ecosystem.

The Utah DWR has (WMAs) across the state. These areas are dedicated to conserving critical habitats, helping reduce and control depredation and providing Utah residents with places to hunt and fish.

There are 194 WMAs spanning over 500,000 acres of Utah. The DWR also uses some of these areas as hatcheries to support fish populations.

Designated Conservation Zones

While some WMAs serve as fishing areas, others remain closed to the public or offer limited access. Each one follows a habitat management plan restricting the types of recreation allowed.

For example, the Mantua Hatchery is a conservation zone for breeding and raising various species of fish. The Powell Slough WMA, on the other hand, is one of the last fishing areas on the east side of Utah Lake.

How to Locate Protected Zones

Locating WMAs is straightforward. The DWR provides a Wildlife Recreation Access map detailing them all. It also displays the permitted activities for each waterbody.

Make Angling Easier With EZ Dock

EZ Dock is the premier floating dock company. We installed our first dock over 26 years ago, and it’s still holding firm in the water today. All our docks are eco-friendly and designed to withstand extreme weather. They’re made of molded rubber and sustainable polyethylene, so they don’t chip, peel, warp or need painting. 

EZ Dock floating fishing platforms bring durability and adaptability to your favorite pastime. They also require little to no maintenance and are easy to clean, providing you with more time to enjoy fishing. 

Don’t hesitate to inquire about our pricing so you can make the best investment in your waterfront property.