In anticipation of continued low water levels due to extreme drought conditions across the state, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has issued more emergency changes to Utah's fishing regulations.
The changes will allow anglers to catch and keep more fish at some additional waterbodies around the state.
Drought impacts fish by reducing the amount of water available in lakes, reservoirs and streams. Smaller amounts of water heat up more quickly and reach higher temperatures, which is problematic for fish because warm water holds less oxygen than colder water. The combination of high temperatures and low oxygen can stress fish, causing poor growth and disease, and can sometimes be fatal to fish.
To reduce the likelihood of fish die-offs in some waterbodies with anticipated low water levels, the DWR is increasing the daily fish limits at those lakes and reservoirs to allow anglers to catch and keep more fish.
This is the third round of emergency fishing changes this summer. Changes are effective immediately and will remain in place until Oct. 31, 2021, at the following locations:
CENTRAL UTAH: Fairview Lakes, Sanpete County: Increasing the daily limit to eight trout; McClellan Reservoir, Utah County: Increasing the daily limit to eight trout; Mona Reservoir, Juab County: Increasing the daily limit to a combined total of 20 for wiper, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass;
Palisade Reservoir, Sanpete County: Increasing the daily limit to a combined total of 20 for wiper, trout (any species) and black crappie; Payson Lake (Big East), Utah County: Increasing the daily limit to eight trout; Towne (Town) Reservoir, Sanpete County: Increasing the daily limit to eight trout.
NORTHERN UTAH: Newton Reservoir, Cache County: Increasing the daily limit to 100 bluegill, 100 yellow perch and 100 black crappie; Pineview Reservoir, Weber County: Increasing the daily limit to 100 bluegill, 100 yellow perch, 40 black crappie and 48 black bullhead;
SOUTHEASTERN UTAH: Monticello Lake, San Juan County: Increasing the daily limit to eight trout.
SOUTHERN UTAH: Navajo Lake, Kane County: Increasing daily limit to 16 trout, any size. The DWR is considering a rotenone treatment at Navajo Lake this fall to remove an overabundant population of Utah chub.
The trout in the lake are currently struggling with competition for food and oxygen; Otter Creek Reservoir, Piute County: Increasing the daily limit to 16 trout, 12 wipers and 24 smallmouth bass. The daily fish limit was increased in May and is being raised again because of ongoing decline in reservoir water levels.
All other rules in the 2021 Utah Fishing Guidebook regarding Utah waterbodies have not changed and remain in effect.