Idaho Fish Report

Big Sand Wash Reservoir: 
Summer fishing forecast (July through August): Walleye are abundant throughout the reservoir and can be found from shoreline to 75 feet of water. Recent sampling showed walleye ranging from 6 to 27 inches. Smaller walleye are most abundant and similar to Starvation Reservoir. Anglers are encouraged to target and harvest smaller walleye. This is a forage-limited system, and harvest is needed to keep the fishery in balance. The best time to target walleye is morning and evenings. Traditional walleye techniques will work here; look for them on cobble rocks and in deeper water on structure. Trout are cruising the shorelines and back bays looking for terrestrial bugs, sow bugs and midges. Smallmouth bass can be found along the dams and in the boulder rock structures. Yellow perch numbers are down, but a few can still be found in deeper waters. This is a "Fishing with the Fox" contest location for 2022. Look for a blue tag if you catch a fish at this reservoir.

What to do if you catch a tagged fish: Tags can be registered and turned in for verification until Aug. 7, 11:59 p.m. You must have possession of the physical blue tag to win. You can catch and keep trout with the tag or choose to release any tagged trout you catch. If you choose catch-and-release fishing, please swiftly pull or clip the tag from the trout, then release it. Register for the contest (required) on our Eventbrite page and enter your contest registration information and tag number; once registered for the contest, you'll be prompted to print out or download the "tagged fish registration ticket," which must accompany all tags submitted. Turn in your registration ticket and the physical blue tag for verification, which you can mail in to the DWR Vernal office or drop off at select Uintah Basin locations. See our Eventbrite for contest rules and details! If you do not have a printer, call the Vernal DWR office at 435-781-9453 or visit during office hours and staff will assist you. All tags registered are automatically entered for the "Alive After Five" grand finale prize drawing! The prize drawing will occur on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, from 5-8 p.m. at the Uintah County Library park (204 E. 100 North, Vernal). You must be present to win or register an alternative person to represent you at the grand-prize drawing. All Utah fishing rules and regulations apply throughout the contest. Thank you to participating sponsors: Basin Sports, B & D RV, Heritage Ford, Patriot Marine & Diesel, Stewart's Marketplace/Ace Hardware and The Fox 98.5 FM radio station.  (June 30, 2022)

Browne Lake:
Summer fishing forecast (July through August): This water is stocked with 10-inch rainbow trout in addition to fingerling brook and rainbow trout that carry over from year to year. Anglers may catch fish up to 18 inches but most will be 10-14 inches. Shore angling is the main technique anglers use although small boats can be launched near the dam. Typical trout angling methods usually work well, including spinners, spoons, fly presentations, worm-and-bobber combinations and PowerBait. Water temperatures typically remain cool enough during the summer that shore angling is effective. There is decent shore access around the reservoir if anglers are willing to hike, and ample parking near the dam, close to shore. (June 14, 2022)

East Park Reservoir: 
Summer fishing forecast (July through August): This is a "Fishing with the Fox" contest location for 2022. Look for a blue tag if you catch a fish at this reservoir.

What to do if you catch a tagged fish: Tags can be registered and turned in for verification until Aug. 7, 11:59 p.m. You must have possession of the physical blue tag to win. You can catch and keep trout with the tag or choose to release any tagged trout you catch. If you choose catch-and-release fishing, please swiftly pull or clip the tag from the trout, then release it. Register for the contest (required) on our Eventbrite page and enter your contest registration information and tag number; once registered for the contest, you'll be prompted to print out or download the "tagged fish registration ticket," which must accompany all tags submitted. Turn in your registration ticket and the physical blue tag for verification, which you can mail in to the DWR Vernal office or drop off at select Uintah Basin locations. See our Eventbrite for contest rules and details! If you do not have a printer, call the Vernal DWR office at 435-781-9453 or visit during office hours and staff will assist you. All tags registered are automatically entered for the "Alive After Five" grand finale prize drawing! The prize drawing will occur on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, from 5-8 p.m. at the Uintah County Library park (204 E. 100 North, Vernal). You must be present to win or register an alternative person to represent you at the grand-prize drawing. All Utah fishing rules and regulations apply throughout the contest. Thank you to participating sponsors: Basin Sports, B & D RV, Heritage Ford, Patriot Marine & Diesel, Stewart's Marketplace/Ace Hardware and The Fox 98.5 FM radio station.  (June 30, 2022)

Green River Below Flaming Gorge Dam (Blue Ribbon):
Summer fishing forecast (June through August): Angling and recreational use increases once school is out between June and early September. Crowds are lower early and late in the day, even on weekends. Expect stonefly and caddis hatches to increase later in the summer. Terrestrial patterns like cicadas, hoppers, crickets and ants can be good throughout the summer. Unscented marabou and tube jigs in earth tones, white/chartreuse and ginger are good options. Rainbow or brown trout-patterned crankbaits, spinners and spoons can also work well. Pinch down the barbs for a quick release and please use good handling and release techniques on this mostly catch-and-release fishery. Find more information on the current river flows and temperatures here.  (June 15, 2022)

Long Park Reservoir, North Slope:
Summer fishing forecast (July through August): This water is normally stocked with 3-inch Arctic grayling, brook trout and rainbow trout that grow into catchable sizes when fish carry over from year to year. Anglers may catch fish up to 20 inches but most will be 10-14 inches. Shore angling is the main technique anglers use here although a concrete ramp provides access for small boats down to fairly low water levels. Shoreline access is good to most of the reservoir but will require a hike if anglers want to access remote areas. Typical trout angling methods usually work well. These methods include spinners, spoons, fly presentations, worm-and-bobber combos and PowerBait presentations. Water temperatures typically remain cool enough during the summer that shore angling is effective. This water usually has good catch rates for all species. (June 06, 2022)

Moose Pond:
Summer fishing forecast (July through August): Shore angling access is good with a path around the entire pond. Anglers catch stocked rainbow trout using typical fishing presentations such as spoons, spinners, fly-and-bubble combos, worm-and-bobber combos, PowerBait and fly presentations. The water is only about 5 feet deep. This is a good location to take children or mobility-limited anglers due to good access and amenities. (June 06, 2022)

Spirit Lake:
Summer fishing forecast (July through August): This water is normally stocked with 10-inch tiger trout and 6-inch cutthroat trout once access roads are open. Anglers may catch fish up to 15 inches, but most will be 10 to 12 inches. Shore angling is the main technique anglers use here, although small watercraft can be launched over the rough and rocky ramp. Shoreline access is good for most of the reservoir, but will require a hike if anglers want to access all areas. Typical trout angling methods work well here. These methods include spinners, spoons, fly presentations, worm-and-bobber combos and PowerBait presentations. Water temperatures remain cool enough for effective shore angling during the summer. (June 14, 2022)