Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Utah (Complete Guide)

Utah offers some of the best fly fishing in the world. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish in Utah can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Utah are early morning and late evening. Summer and fall are the best months for most species in Utah.

Month	Utah Fishing Location
January	Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam for trophy-sized trout.
February	Lower Provo River for midge and blue-winged olive hatches, as well as brown and rainbow trout.
March	Strawberry Reservoir for ice fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout.
April	Fremont River for brown and rainbow trout, and a possible caddis hatch.
May	Weber River for brown and rainbow trout, as well as stonefly hatches.
June	Provo River for green and brown drake hatches, and big brown and rainbow trout.
July	Logan River for small stream fishing, as well as brown and cutthroat trout.
August	Green River in the B and C sections for streamer fishing for large brown and rainbow trout.
September	Green River in the B and C sections for streamer fishing for large brown and rainbow trout.
October	Bear River for cutthroat trout and brown trout, as well as fall foliage.
November	Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam for brown trout, and some midge and blue-winged olive hatches.
December	Lower Provo River for midge and blue-winged olive hatches, as well as brown and rainbow trout.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Utah. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Sections of Creeks/Rivers to Fly Fish in Utah

Provo River: The section between Heber City and Jordanelle Reservoir best fishes for brown and rainbow trout in late spring to early fall.

Green River: The A section, located below Flaming Gorge Dam, is best fished in the summer and fall for rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout.

Weber River: The section between Echo Reservoir and Coalville is best fished in the spring and fall for brown and rainbow trout.

Logan River: The lower section below the dam is best fished in the spring and fall for brown and cutthroat trout.

Duchesne River: The section between Rock Creek and the Uinta Mountains is best fished in the summer for cutthroat and brook trout.

Bear River: The section below Smith and Morehouse Reservoir is best fished in the summer for brown and cutthroat trout.

Green River: The B section, located between Little Hole and Indian Crossing, is best fished in the summer and fall for brown and rainbow trout.

Spanish Fork River: The section above Thistle is best fished in the summer for brown and rainbow trout.

Sevier River: The section between Otter Creek Reservoir and Marysvale is best fished in the summer for rainbow and brown trout.

Blacksmith Fork River: The section above Hyrum Dam is best fished in the summer for brown and cutthroat trout.

Price River: The section between Woodside and Price is best fished in the spring and fall for brown and rainbow trout.

Green River: The C section, located below Indian Crossing, is best fished in the summer and fall for brown and rainbow trout.

Weber River: The section between Henefer and Echo Reservoir is best fished in the spring and fall for brown and rainbow trout.

Logan River: The upper section above Ricks Spring is best fished in the summer for brook and cutthroat trout.

Strawberry River: The section between Strawberry Reservoir and Soldier Creek is best fished in the summer for cutthroat and rainbow trout.

Huntington Creek: The section between Electric Lake and the town of Castle Dale is best fished in the summer for brown and rainbow trout.

Chalk Creek: The section above Rockport Reservoir is best fished in the summer for brown and rainbow trout.

Diamond Fork River: The section between Spanish Fork Canyon and the town of Diamond Fork is best fished in the summer for brown and rainbow trout.

East Fork of the Sevier River: The section between Beaver and Marysvale is best fished in the summer for brown and rainbow trout.

Boulder Creek: The section between the town of Boulder and the Escalante River is best fished in the summer for brown and rainbow trout.

Recommended Fishing Guides in Utah

These Utah-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Capt. Dan Flaming Gorge Fishing Guide	Dutch John, UT
Dreamseason Guide Service	Hurricane, UT
Bald Mountain Fly Guides	Kamas, UT
Tailwalkers Adventure Company	Park City, UT

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Cutthroat Trout

Cutthroat trout can be found in Utah’s mountain streams and lakes, with the best fishing months from June to September. They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, so planning fishing trips is best.

Some of the best locations for cutthroat trout fishing include the Logan River, the Provo River, the Green River, the Uinta Mountains, and Strawberry Reservoir.

Brown Trout

Brown trout can be caught year-round in Utah, but the best time to fish for them is usually in the spring and fall when the water is cooler. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for brown trout, and they are often caught in rivers and streams.

Utah’s best locations to fish for brown trout include the Provo River, the Weber River, and the Green River.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout can be found in Utah waters year-round, but the best months to fish for them are typically from April to October. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for rainbow trout.

Some of Utah’s best locations to catch rainbow trout are Strawberry Reservoir, the Provo River, and the Green River.

Brook Trout

Brook trout can be caught year-round in Utah, but the best time to fish for them is in the summer when the water temperatures are warmer. The best time of day to fish for brook trout is early in the morning or late in the evening when the water is cooler.

Some of Utah’s best locations to catch brook trout are high-elevation streams and lakes such as the Uinta Mountains, the Wasatch Mountains, and the Manti-La Sal National Forest.

Northern Pike

Pike can be caught year-round in Utah, but the best time to catch them is during the fall months. The months of September and October are ideal, as pike are more active in colder water temperatures.

The best time of day to catch pike is early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations for pike fishing in Utah include Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Fish Lake, and Strawberry Reservoir.

Whitefish

Whitefish in Utah can be caught throughout the year, but the best time to target them is fall and winter. The best time of day to fish for whitefish is in the morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations in Utah to fish for whitefish are the Provo River, the Green River, and the Weber River.

Artic Grayling

Grayling is a coldwater fish that thrives in high-altitude lakes and streams. The best time to fish for grayling in Utah is during the summer, from June to September when water temperatures are cooler.

Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for grayling, and the best locations to fish for them in Utah are high-altitude lakes and streams in the Uinta Mountains and the Logan River.

Crappie

Crappie fishing in Utah is best during spring, specifically in April and May. The best time to fish for crappie is early morning or late afternoon. Utah’s best locations for crappie fishing include Deer Creek Reservoir, Pineview Reservoir, and Rockport Reservoir.

Walleye

When the water is cooler, walleye fishing in Utah is best during the early spring and fall months. The best months to fish for walleye are typically April, May, September, and October. Walleye are most active during low-light conditions, so early morning and evening hours are the best times to fish for them.

Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Lake Powell, and Utah Lake are some of Utah’s best locations to fish for walleye. These locations have deep waters and many underwater structures, making great walleye habitats. When fishing for walleye, it’s best to use jigs or live bait, such as minnows or nightcrawlers, and fish them along drop-offs or underwater structures.

Catfish

Catfish can be caught year-round in Utah, but the best times to fish for them are during the warmer months of April through October. Early morning and late evening are the best times to fish for catfish, when they are most active.

Utah’s best locations to fish for catfish include the Green River, the Colorado River, Lake Powell, and the Weber River.

Bass (Largemouth & Smallmouth)

When fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass in Utah, the best time to go is during the warmer months, from May to September. The early morning and late afternoon are the best times of day to catch them.

Try fishing in the Green River, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and Lake Powell for smallmouth bass. Head to Lake Powell, Utah Lake, and Sand Hollow Reservoir for largemouth bass. Be sure to use lures that mimic the baitfish in the area and fish around areas with good cover, such as weed beds and fallen logs.

Striped Bass

In Utah, the best time to fish for striped bass is during the summer months from June to September. Fishing is usually most productive during the early morning and late afternoon hours.

Utah’s best locations for striped bass fishing include the Great Salt Lake, Bear Lake, and the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam.

Yellow Perch

Yellow perch are one of the most popular game fish in Utah. The best time to fish for yellow perch is from late winter to early spring, typically February to April.

The best time of day is early morning or late afternoon. Some of Utah’s best locations to fish for yellow perch include Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Fish Lake, and Bear Lake.

Lake Trout

Lake trout fishing in Utah is best during the summer months of June through August, with early mornings and late evenings being the best time of day. The ideal locations to fish for lake trout are Bear Lake, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and Fish Lake.

Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee fishing in Utah is best during the spring and fall months. During the spring, kokanee move to the water’s surface to feed and spawn. During the fall, they move to the shallows to spawn.

The best time of day to fish for kokanee is early in the morning or late in the evening. The best locations to fish for kokanee in Utah include Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Fish Lake, and Strawberry Reservoir.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Wyoming, check out this guide. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Montana. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Colorado. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Idaho, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Michigan, check out this guide. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Ohio. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near Las Vegas. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Arizona.

Best Fishing in Utah on Seasonal Basis

Winter

Green River (below Flaming Gorge Dam) – Trout
Strawberry Reservoir – Kokanee Salmon
Fish Lake – Lake Trout

Spring

Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam for rainbow and brown trout.
Strawberry Reservoir for rainbow and cutthroat trout.
Sevier River for brown and rainbow trout.

Summer

Green River: brown trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout.
Strawberry Reservoir: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and kokanee salmon.
Provo River: brown trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout.

Fall

Green River: Brown trout and rainbow trout are abundant in the Green River during fall, and the best location is the Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
Provo River: During fall, brown trout and rainbow trout are in abundance in the Middle Provo River, which is located between Jordanelle and Deer Creek Reservoirs.
Weber River: The Lower Weber River, which flows from Rockport Reservoir to Echo Reservoir, is a great location to catch brown trout and rainbow trout during fall.

Click here to see a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Nevada.