Utah anglers asked to adjust as record-low snowpack strains fisheries

Anglers prepare to fish in the Wasatch foothills. Utah's record-low snowpack and ongoing drought are expected to affect fish habitat and access across the state this year. Photo: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Low water, warmer temperatures may affect fishing access, fish stocking and catch-and-release survival

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Utah anglers may need to adjust where, when, and how they fish this year as record-low snowpack and drought put added pressure on lakes, reservoirs, and streams across the state.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said low water levels can affect fish habitat, boating access, and fish survival, particularly as temperatures rise through spring and summer.

Drought reduces the water available in lakes, reservoirs, and streams — the primary habitats for fish. Smaller volumes warm more quickly and reach higher temperatures than deeper, fuller waterbodies. Warm water also holds less oxygen, which can stress coldwater species such as trout.

“This smaller amount of water heats more quickly and warms to higher temperatures than when there is more water available,” DWR Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick said. “Warm water also holds less oxygen than colder water. The combination of high temperatures and low oxygen can stress many coldwater fish species — like trout — which causes poor growth and disease. Fish can also die when temperatures are too warm, or the oxygen levels get too low.”

Trout in mid-elevation waterbodies in southern Utah are most likely to be affected this year, though low water and high temperatures can stress all fish species, according to the DWR.

Fishing access may also shift as the season progresses. Some lakes and reservoirs could drop low enough by late summer that boat ramps become unusable. Anglers planning boating trips should check conditions before heading out, particularly later in the season.

Water releases may also affect some popular fishing areas. Up to 1 million acre-feet of water is being delivered from Flaming Gorge Reservoir to Lake Powell between now and April 2027 to help prevent Lake Powell from reaching critically low levels. Anglers fishing Flaming Gorge, the Green River, or Lake Powell should check current information from the Bureau of Reclamation and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area before making plans.

“Fishing may not be the same this year in some areas,” Hedrick said. “Fish may be found in different locations throughout a waterbody than usual, and especially later in the season.”

Hedrick said anglers should be prepared to try different locations and techniques and to seek current information from land managers, local fishing shops, and fishing groups.

Drought is also changing how the DWR stocks fish. The agency said it may stock fewer fish in waterbodies expected to be heavily affected and reallocate them to other locations. In some areas, the DWR is shifting toward species that better tolerate warmer water, including channel catfish, walleye, and wipers.

The changes are part of the agency’s long-term plan for managing fishing in Utah as some waterbodies become less suitable for coldwater species.

“As part of our 30-year plan for the future of fishing in Utah, we are also working to adapt our management strategies to ensure the long-term health and viability of our aquatic resources,” Hedrick said.

Anglers who practice catch-and-release can reduce stress on fish by going out in the morning or evening, when temperatures are cooler. The DWR also recommends choosing areas with deeper, cooler water and avoiding shallow, stagnant coves during hot weather.

“Basically, try not to fish near little coves that have shallow, stagnant warm water,” Hedrick said. “Instead, pick a spot where you can release your fish into better-quality water to increase their survival rates during this hot, drought year.”

The DWR also recommends using single hooks with barbs bent down to minimize time spent fighting and handling fish, using rubber or coated nylon nets, keeping fish in the water when possible, and wetting hands before handling them.

Fish caught in water deeper than 30 feet may show signs of pressure-related injury, such as a swim bladder bulging from the mouth. In those cases, anglers should consider harvesting the fish if they are within their limit or using a descender device to return it to deeper, cooler water.

More information on the impacts of drought on fish and wildlife is available from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.