Why fish Baker Reservoir?

Because it stays open and stocked while the mountain water above it is under snow. Rainbows and browns take a worm on a slip sinker from the bank, mornings fish best, and the day use area with its shade structures is first come, first served.

Baker Reservoir Fishing Guide: Rigs, Bait, Loadout

Photo: Baker Dam Reservoir near Veyo (orig 4288x2848) via Wikimedia Commons — see the file page for the author and licence.

Conditions Right Now

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ROD

7' medium spinning rod

covers most jobs

LINE

8 lb fluorocarbon

abrasion resistant

TOOLS

Pliers, net, scale

measure before bragging

★ ALWAYS EQUIPPED

Utah fishing license

wildlife.utah.gov · kids under 12 free

WEARSun hat + sunscreenPolarized glassescut the glareLayers + windbreakerreservoir wind is realSturdy shoesrocky shorelines

Full gear list · sun, safety & tackle →

Tackle + Bait Slots

FLOAT

Slip bobber

4–5 in pencil · stop-knot sets depth

set any depth

WEIGHT

1/4 oz sliding sinker

1/4 oz · ~3/4 in egg · slides on the main line

slip rig standard

SWIVEL

#5 barrel swivel

size 5 · ~3/4 in · ~60 lb

stops the sinker

HOOK

#6-2 baitholder

sizes 6–2 · 5/8–1 in · barbed shank holds bait

match the bait

BAIT

Worms

what’s hitting at this water

see full bait list below

Why Fish Here

Baker is small, and that is the point. It sits at the base of the Pine Valley Mountains on BLM ground 24 miles north of St. George on SR-18, low enough that it fishes best when the high country is locked in ice. The DWR stocks it regularly with trout, and spring and fall are when it comes alive. There is a campground with vault toilets and fire rings but no drinking water, so bring your own, and camp sites are reserved through recreation.gov.

How To Fish It

Best rigs: Slip-sinker + worm

Bait and lures: Worms, PowerBait

Best time: Morning. Season: Oct-May (low elevation)

Local tip: Little winter trout stop on the Veyo loop.

Species Playbook

Rainbow Trout

Rig: Slip-bobber or sliding sinker rig, 4 lb mono line, size 8-10 baitholder

Bait: PowerBait (rainbow/garlic), nightcrawler, small spinners (Panther Martin, Jake's)

When: Early morning & last 2 hours before dark

Utah's #1 fish. If a pond got stocked this week, cast anything shiny. Perfect first fish for kids.

Brown Trout

Rig: Fly: sow bug/zebra midge under indicator; Spin: single-hook Rapala or spinner

Bait: Flies (sow bugs, streamers), Rapalas, worms after rain

When: Dawn, dusk, and overcast days; fall (spawn season) fires them up

Wary and smart. Downsize line to 4 lb fluoro on clear days.

Getting There + Nearby

Map loads when you are online

Directions Gas Groceries Lodging Bait shop DWR info Stocking

Nearby adventures: Petrified Dunes (Hike, 11 mi) · Gunlock State Park (State Park, 11 mi) · Gunlock Reservoir (Fishing, 11 mi) · Snow Canyon State Park (State Park, 12 mi)

Quick Answers

What fish are in Baker Reservoir?: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout.
What is the best bait at Baker Reservoir?: Worms, PowerBait
When is the best time to fish Baker Reservoir?: Morning. Season: Oct-May (low elevation).
Why fish Baker Reservoir?: Because it stays open and stocked while the mountain water above it is under snow. Rainbows and browns take a worm on a slip sinker from the bank, mornings fish best, and the day use area with its shade structures is first come, first served.

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