Fish Lake Utah, UT

About Fish Lake Utah

Fish Lake is one of Utah's premier high-mountain fisheries, a large natural lake sitting in a forested basin on the Fishlake Plateau in the south-central part of the state. At roughly 8,800 feet of elevation and stretching about five to six miles long, it is deep, cold and clear, which makes it an ideal cold-water trout and char fishery. The surrounding aspen and conifer forest, including the famous Pando aspen clone nearby, makes it a scenic destination that draws anglers, campers and families throughout the open-water season and again hard on the ice.

What Fish Lake is best known for is its trophy lake trout (mackinaw) and its excellent splake fishing, along with reliable numbers of stocked rainbow trout and chunky yellow perch. It has long been one of the better places in Utah to hook a genuinely big lake trout, and its winter ice fishery for perch and trout is a tradition for many Utah families. Few lakes in the state combine trophy potential, numbers and easy shoreline and boat access the way Fish Lake does.

Fish Species

Fish Lake is a cold-water fishery dominated by trout and char. The standouts are the lake trout and splake, but several species share the lake:

• Lake trout (mackinaw) — the marquee fish here and the reason many anglers make the drive. Fish Lake produces fish from small "eaters" up to genuine trophies, and the lake has a reputation for occasional very large mackinaw.
• Splake — a lake trout x brook trout hybrid that does exceptionally well at Fish Lake. They grow fast, fight hard, fillet beautifully and are a favorite of both summer trollers and winter ice anglers.
• Rainbow trout — stocked regularly and the most commonly caught trout for shore and casual anglers; great table fare and willing biters.
• Brown trout — present and capable of reaching large sizes; targeted by anglers chasing a bigger, wilier predator.
• Yellow perch — abundant and a major draw, especially through the ice. They provide fast action and excellent eating.
• Kokanee salmon — present in the system and an additional summer trolling target when conditions are right.

Best Seasons & Times

Spring: As the ice goes off (typically mid-to-late spring at this elevation), trout move shallow to feed and shore fishing turns excellent. Rainbows and cruising trout chase the warming shallows, and early-season trolling near drop-offs can produce hungry lake trout and splake before the water stratifies.

Summer: With surface water warming, the cold-water species pull deep. This is prime time for downrigger trolling and jigging the deeper basins and structure for lake trout and splake. Mornings and evenings are most productive; perch fishing remains steady, and rainbows still take bait and lures near shore in low light.

Fall: Cooling water pulls trout and char shallower again and triggers aggressive feeding before winter. Fall is one of the best windows for a big brown or a trophy lake trout, and the fish often hold on rock and points within reach of casting and shallow trolling.

Winter: Fish Lake is a destination ice fishery once safe ice forms. Anglers drill for yellow perch, splake, rainbows and lake trout. Perch and splake provide steady jigging action; dawn and dusk are the strongest bites, though perch will feed through midday. Always confirm ice conditions locally before heading out.

Techniques & Baits

Match your tactics to the species and the season:

• Lake trout (mackinaw): In summer, troll deep with downriggers or lead-core line using flashers trailed by spoons or large minnow-imitating plugs. Vertical jigging tube jigs and heavy spoons tipped with bait over deep structure is deadly, especially when you mark fish on electronics. Early and late season, work shallower drop-offs and points.
• Splake: Troll small-to-medium spoons, wedding-ring spinners and flasher-and-bait rigs at moderate depths in summer. Through the ice, jig small spoons and jigs tipped with a worm, minnow or perch meat near the bottom.
• Rainbow trout: From shore, fish a worm or PowerBait under a slip bobber or off the bottom. Casting spinners and small spoons works well, and a slow troll with spinners or flies covers water for active fish.
• Brown trout: Throw larger minnow plugs and spoons, especially in fall and low light near rocky structure; trolling bigger baits along points produces the better fish.
• Yellow perch: Use small jigs, ice flies and spoons tipped with worm, minnow pieces or perch meat. Find the school and stay on it — perch travel in numbers and the action can be fast.

Quality electronics, a willingness to fish deep in summer, and adjusting depth until you contact fish will dramatically improve results on a lake this big and deep.

Access & Launches

Fish Lake is a well-developed and accessible destination. A paved state scenic byway runs along the lake, and the area offers public boat launching, developed Forest Service campgrounds, day-use areas and private lodges/resorts with rental boats and supplies. Both boat anglers and shore anglers do well here — there is plenty of bank access along the road-side shoreline, and the lake is large enough that a boat opens up the deep-water trolling and jigging that produces the bigger lake trout. In winter, anglers access the ice from shoreline pullouts once conditions are safe. Because much of the surrounding land is national forest, expect typical developed-recreation facilities; verify current camping, launch and resort availability before your trip, especially in the shoulder seasons when services and ice conditions change.

Regulations & Licenses

A valid Utah fishing license is required for anyone of licensing age, and licenses are available online from the state wildlife agency or from local vendors. Fish Lake has its own species-specific rules that can include size and bag limits and gear restrictions, and these can differ from statewide regulations and change from year to year. Lake trout, splake, trout and perch may each carry different limits. Before you fish, always check the current Utah Division of Wildlife Resources fishing guidebook for the specific slot, size and bag limits in effect at Fish Lake, as well as any seasonal or ice-fishing rules. Practicing selective harvest and proper handling of released fish helps keep this fishery strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fish Lake, Utah best known for catching?
It is best known for trophy lake trout (mackinaw) and outstanding splake fishing, along with plentiful stocked rainbow trout and yellow perch. It is one of Utah's top destinations for a big lake trout and a beloved winter ice fishery for perch and splake.

Can you fish Fish Lake from shore, or do you need a boat?
You can do both. There is good bank access along the road-side shoreline for rainbows, perch and cruising trout, especially in spring and fall. A boat with downriggers or jigging gear is a big advantage in summer for reaching the deep lake trout and splake.

Is Fish Lake good for ice fishing?
Yes. Once safe ice forms in winter, Fish Lake is a popular ice fishing destination for yellow perch, splake, rainbows and lake trout. Jigging small spoons and jigs tipped with worm or minnow is productive. Always confirm current ice conditions locally before going out.

What do I need to fish Fish Lake legally?
You need a valid Utah fishing license. Fish Lake also has species-specific size and bag limits that can change year to year, so check the current Utah Division of Wildlife Resources guidebook for the rules in effect before you fish.