Daggett County, UT · Reservoir
Flaming Gorge Reservoir
A 91-mile Green River impoundment straddling the Utah–Wyoming line, ringed by the red cliffs of Red Canyon. A trophy cold-water fishery: world-record-class lake trout (mackinaw) in the depths, hard-fighting kokanee salmon, plus rainbow and smallmouth bass. The Lucerne and Cedar Springs ramps anchor the Utah end.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Lake Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass & Brown Trout — tied at the top (68/100)
5 species tied for best of 5 tracked at Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Flaming Gorge Reservoir
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 5 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Lake Trout Workable day for Lake Trout. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Salvelinus namaycush — The native deepwater char of the Great Lakes and cold northern lakes. Holds in cold, deep water through summer and moves shallow to reefs in spring and fall. Targeted by deep trolling, jigging, and from shore early and late in the season.
Prefers. Water 40–52°F (ideal 48°F) · either tide · depth 30–200 ft.
- Daily creel
- no limit
At Flaming Gorge (2026), unlimited lake trout 28" or shorter with only 1 over 28" — Utah encourages harvest of small "junior" mackinaw. Elsewhere lake trout fall under the 4-trout aggregate. Confirm the water.
Source: Utah non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Kokanee Salmon Workable day for Kokanee Salmon. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Oncorhynchus nerka — Landlocked sockeye salmon — the marquee coldwater reservoir fishery of the Mountain West. A plankton feeder that suspends along the thermocline and is caught by downrigger trolling with squids and dodgers spring through fall, and through the ice in winter. The fall spawning run turns the fish brilliant red and triggers snagging seasons on designated waters; prized as table fare. In Colorado, Blue Mesa is the flagship water, with Dillon and Granby also producing.
Prefers. Water 45–59°F (ideal 53°F) · either tide · depth 20–120 ft.
- Daily creel
- 4
Utah kokanee: 4/day statewide; Flaming Gorge is 3/day. Snagging rules and fall spawning-run closures apply on many waters — confirm before keeping any.
Source: Utah non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Rainbow Trout Check local Rainbow Trout regulations before you keep one. Regs unverified 68/100
We don't have confirmed size, creel, or season rules for Rainbow Trout in UT on file yet. The live conditions score still applies — but confirm the current regulations with your state agency before keeping any fish.
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Oncorhynchus mykiss — The most heavily stocked trout in Maryland. Put-and-take fisheries across the state plus holdover/wild fish in Western MD streams (Savage, Youghiogheny tailwater, Gunpowder). Takes PowerBait, small spinners, and standard dry/nymph patterns.
Prefers. Water 45–68°F (ideal 55°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
No regulations on file for Utah non-tidal / non-tidal. Check the appropriate state agency directly before fishing.
#1 Smallmouth Bass Workable day for Smallmouth Bass. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 20
Lake Powell: 20 smallmouth/day — an abundant fishery Utah encourages anglers to harvest.
Source: Utah non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Brown Trout Check local Brown Trout regulations before you keep one. Regs unverified 68/100
We don't have confirmed size, creel, or season rules for Brown Trout in UT on file yet. The live conditions score still applies — but confirm the current regulations with your state agency before keeping any fish.
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Salmo trutta — Naturally reproduces in the Gunpowder River tailwater (Loch Raven below Prettyboy) and several Western MD streams; also heavily stocked. Typically more wary than rainbows. Classic mayfly hatches on the Gunpowder — sulphurs, BWOs, caddis. Streamer-eaters after dark.
Prefers. Water 45–68°F (ideal 55°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
No regulations on file for Utah non-tidal / non-tidal. Check the appropriate state agency directly before fishing.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Utah non-tidal
Coordinates
Notes
Utah end (Daggett County); the reservoir extends into Wyoming. 2026: unlimited lake trout ≤28" (only 1 over), kokanee reduced to 3/day.
Local reports & rules for Flaming Gorge Reservoir: Utah DWR fishing & regulations → · trout stocking schedule → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Flaming Gorge Reservoir?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Flaming Gorge Reservoir you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Flaming Gorge Reservoir?
Flaming Gorge Reservoir is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Lake Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Flaming Gorge Reservoir?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Flaming Gorge Reservoir against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Flaming Gorge Reservoir have?
Flaming Gorge Reservoir has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Utah end (Daggett County); the reservoir extends into Wyoming. 2026: unlimited lake trout ≤28" (only 1 over), kokanee reduced to 3/day.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Flaming Gorge Reservoir?
state agency regulations apply at Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Flaming Gorge Reservoir tidal water?
No. Flaming Gorge Reservoir is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.