The Utah Wildlife Board has approved several changes to the state's fishing regulations, with new rules set to go into effect on January 1, 2025. These changes aim to update fishery management practices and respond to feedback from anglers, gathered through a recent survey conducted by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). The adjustments affect a range of waterbodies across Utah, including some notable changes in southern Utah.

At Manning Meadow Reservoir, the new regulations will allow the use of bait and increase the daily trout limit from two to four fish. The seasonal closure to protect spawning cutthroat trout will remain in place. Similarly, Barney Lake will see an increased daily trout limit of four fish, with bait now permitted. Both locations will be monitored by the DWR for two years to evaluate the effects of these changes. Gunlock Reservoir will now allow a daily limit of six largemouth bass of any size and increase the black crappie limit to 100 fish, doubling the statewide limit for that species.

In Quail Creek Reservoir, anglers can now catch six largemouth bass of any size, while Sand Hollow Reservoir will see the daily limit for largemouth bass increase to eight. The current rule allowing only one bass over 12 inches will no longer apply. Meanwhile, at Mill Meadow Reservoir, the daily limit for tiger muskie will decrease from eight to match the statewide limit of one fish over 40 inches.

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On a statewide level, spearfishing regulations have been expanded. Anglers will now be allowed to spearfish at any time, day or night, and may use artificial light while targeting Utah chub. Spearfishing will also be permitted at 15 high-elevation waterbodies in the Uinta Mountains. Changes to setline fishing regulations include reducing the number of hooks per setline from 15 to eight, restricting mechanical retrieval, and requiring setlines to be checked every 48 hours.

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Other changes include the removal of the “bonus” brook trout limit in the Uinta Mountains and the addition of four new community fishing ponds across Utah. The board also discussed increasing spearfishing opportunities and reviewed DWR property transactions and conservation projects funded by permit fees.

Out of State Fishing License Revenue By State

Captain Experiences researched U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2024 data to rank fishing destinations by non-resident license sales in 2022, factoring revenue in for ties. For complete methodology, see the link in the #1 entry. Now let's countdown to the State that generates the most dollars from out-of-state fishing licenses.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

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