Strawberry Reservoir, UT

About Strawberry Reservoir

Strawberry Reservoir sits high in Utah's Wasatch Mountains, roughly an hour southeast of Salt Lake City near the town of Heber City and the Daniels Summit area. Sprawling across thousands of surface acres at an elevation of around 7,600 feet, it is one of the most popular and heavily managed trout fisheries in the western United States. The reservoir is large, with several distinct arms and bays, and its high-elevation, nutrient-rich water grows fish quickly, making it a destination for anglers from across the Intermountain West.

Strawberry is best known for its trophy-quality Bear Lake strain cutthroat trout and its thriving population of kokanee salmon. Decades of careful slot-limit management and predator stocking have made it a model fishery, producing both impressive numbers and genuinely large fish. It is equally famous as a year-round destination, drawing open-water trollers in summer and large crowds of ice anglers each winter.

Fish Species

Strawberry is primarily a coldwater fishery dominated by trout and salmon. The standout species are:

• Cutthroat trout (Bear Lake strain) — the flagship fish. These cutthroat run from solid keepers to genuine trophies well over the 20-inch mark, and they double as the reservoir's primary predator, helping control the forage base.
• Kokanee salmon — landlocked sockeye that have established a strong, self-sustaining population. Prized for their firm, flavorful flesh, they school in open water through summer and stage near tributaries before their fall spawn.
• Rainbow trout — stocked and present in good numbers, providing fast action especially for bank and bait anglers.

The reservoir is managed aggressively to protect the trout and salmon fishery, and chubs and other rough fish have historically been a concern that managers work to keep in check. Cutthroat and kokanee are the two species most anglers travel to Strawberry to target.

Best Seasons & Times

Spring (ice-off through early summer) is prime time. As the ice retreats, cutthroat move shallow to feed and to stage near tributary mouths to spawn. Fish cruise the banks and shallow flats, putting trophy cutthroat within reach of shore anglers and small boats. Early mornings and the hour before dark are most productive.

Summer pushes fish deeper as the surface warms. Kokanee fishing peaks now — trollers target schools suspended over deep water, often 20 to 60 feet down depending on conditions. Cutthroat and rainbows hold along thermoclines and structure. Early and late in the day remain best, with midday fishing slower in bright, calm conditions.

Fall is a transition worth timing. Kokanee turn red and stage near inlets to spawn, and cutthroat feed heavily ahead of winter. Cooling water brings trout shallower again, and aggressive feeding makes fall a strong window for big cutthroat.

Winter turns Strawberry into one of Utah's premier ice fisheries. Once safe ice forms, anglers drill over the bays and flats for cutthroat and rainbows that often bite well throughout the day, with first and last light typically best. Always confirm ice thickness and safety before venturing out.

Techniques & Baits

For cutthroat trout:

• Trolling is the most consistent open-water method. Spoons, small flatfish-style plugs, and tube jigs or nightcrawler harnesses behind flashers all produce. Cover water at varying depths until you find feeding fish.
• From shore and small boats after ice-off, cast and retrieve spoons, spinners, or jerkbaits along shallow flats and near tributary mouths.
• Fly anglers do well stripping leech, woolly bugger, and minnow-imitating streamers, and with chironomid (midge) setups under indicators in spring and early summer.

For kokanee:

• Troll small, brightly colored hoochies, spoons, and squids tipped with corn behind a dodger or flasher. Pink, orange, and chartreuse are classic colors. Run downriggers or leadcore to reach the school's depth, and slow your speed to a kokanee crawl.
• A fish finder is nearly essential for locating suspended schools efficiently.

For winter ice fishing:

• Small jigs and ice flies tipped with a piece of nightcrawler, mealworm, or wax worm are go-to offerings. Jigging spoons draw aggressive cutthroat. A flasher or sonar unit helps you watch fish react and adjust your jigging cadence.

Access & Launches

Strawberry Reservoir lies along a major highway corridor southeast of Heber City, making it one of the easier large reservoirs in Utah to reach. The area is managed within national forest land and offers developed public recreation facilities, including multiple boat launch areas, marina services, and seasonal campgrounds spread around the reservoir's several arms. Day-use parking and shoreline access are available at numerous points around the lake.

Because Strawberry is large and has distinct bays and arms, a boat or float craft greatly expands your options, but bank and ice anglers also find plenty of productive water near the developed access areas. Note that this is a high-elevation recreation site — facilities, ramps, and roads can be affected by snow and seasonal closures, and use fees may apply at developed sites. Check current conditions with the managing agency before you go.

Regulations & Licenses

A valid Utah fishing license is required for everyone of licensing age, and licenses are available online and at many local retailers. Strawberry Reservoir is intensively managed, and special regulations apply here that differ from statewide rules — most notably slot limits and tackle or harvest restrictions designed to protect the cutthroat trout and kokanee fishery. Cutthroat within a protected size range typically must be released, and kokanee may have their own seasonal harvest rules.

These slot, size, and bag limits change over time and are specific to this water, so always review the current Utah Division of Wildlife Resources fishing guidebook and any posted regulations before fishing. Confirm season dates, gear restrictions, and any special closures near tributaries, and follow all rules for handling and releasing protected fish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish is Strawberry Reservoir best known for?
Strawberry is most famous for its trophy Bear Lake strain cutthroat trout and its strong kokanee salmon population. Rainbow trout are also stocked and provide fast action. The cutthroat fishery, protected by slot limits, is what draws most serious anglers.

When is the best time to fish Strawberry Reservoir?
Spring just after ice-off is outstanding for big cutthroat moving shallow, and fall offers another strong window as fish feed up before winter. Summer is prime for trolling kokanee in deeper water, and winter delivers some of Utah's best ice fishing. Early morning and the last hour of light are usually most productive year-round.

Can you ice fish at Strawberry Reservoir?
Yes. Strawberry is one of Utah's premier ice fishing destinations. Once safe ice forms, anglers target cutthroat and rainbow trout with small jigs and spoons tipped with bait. Always verify ice thickness and conditions yourself before heading out, as ice safety varies across the reservoir.

Do I need a special license or follow special rules at Strawberry?
You need a standard valid Utah fishing license, but Strawberry has special regulations beyond the statewide rules, including slot limits that protect certain sizes of cutthroat trout. Because these limits change, always check the current Utah Division of Wildlife Resources guidebook and posted signs before you fish.