Offering some of the most expansive terrain in the state with easy access to pristine streams and lakes, Heber Valley is a fisher's paradise. Learn more about the area's fishing locations below.
This reservoir is a large body of water located along Hwy-40 about 23 miles southeast of Heber City. At max capacity, Strawberry Reservoir holds about 1.1 million-acre-feet volume and sits at about 7,602 feet in elevation. Being one of the state's most popular fishing spots, Strawberry Reservoir supports one of the west’s leading cutthroat fisheries. Fish species in Strawberry Reservoir include crawdads, cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, red shiner, Utah chub, and Utah sucker. The main water tributary is Strawberry River.
At 320,000-acre-feet volume, this reservoir is a popular for locals, and is well-known as a trophy smallmouth bass fishery. Perch fishing at Jordanelle is very fast. Other fish species at the reservoir include brown trout, cutthroat trout, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, Utah chub, walleye, yellow perch. The Provo River feeds into this reservoir, and the entire shoreline is publicly owned and operated as a state park with unrestricted access other than a day-use fee or annual state park pass.
Deer Creek is approximately 152,000-acre-feet volume of water and is popular for local and nearby visitor recreation. The entire shoreline is publicly owned and operated as a state park with unrestricted access other than a day-use fee or annual state park pass. The Provo River feeds from Jordanelle State Park into this reservoir. Annual fluctuations in water levels can affect fish populations. Fish species found in Deer Creek include black crappie, bluegill, and green sunfish, brown trout, common carp, crayfish, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, Utah chub, walleye, and yellow perch.
Uinta Mountain Region
There are over 1,000 natural lakes and over 400 miles of streams in the Uintas, and more than 500 of the lakes support populations of game fish. With elevations above 10,000 feet, these cold-water lakes support fish species such as arctic grayling, brook trout, cutthroat trout, golden trout, mountain whitefish, rainbow trout, and tiger trout. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is responsible for monitoring and stocking fish in these higher altitude, natural lake locations.
Ice Fishing
Growing in popularity, the sport of ice fishing sees more dedicated fishers out on the reservoirs during the winter season. Both Strawberry Reservoir and Deer Creek State Park and Reservoir are excellent options for ice fishing in the winter season. Strawberry Reservoir usually freezes over earlier in the season and holds the icy cover for a longer duration in winter - this is largely due to its higher elevation. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources provides updated information on fishing and ice conditions.