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Deep jigging setup: 30 lb braid + tube jigs. Winter loadout: auger, ice cleats, short jig rod, insulated bibs.
Why Fish Here
Fish Lake sits above 8,800 feet and Utah Highway 25 is plowed through the winter, which is the practical reason its ice season is so good. There is no limit on yellow perch, so a kid with a jar of mealworms can fill a bucket while you work the deep water for mackinaw. You may keep only one trout or salmon over 24 inches, whatever the species. Ice holes are capped at 18 inches across.
How To Fish It
Best rigs: Jig tube+sucker meat on deep humps for macks; perch rigs off the docks for kids
Bait and lures: Tubes, jigging spoons, mealworms for perch
Best time: Early morning for big fish; perch all day. Season: All year - legendary ice fishing
Local tip: Utah's deepest natural mountain lake, ringed by the Pando aspen clone (largest living organism on Earth). 30 lb mackinaw swim here.
Species Playbook
Lake Trout (Mackinaw)
Rig: Vertical jigging: 3-4 in white tube jig on heavy jighead, 40-90 ft
Bait: Tube jigs tipped with sucker meat, big spoons, downrigger trolling
When: First light; winter & spring for giants
Gorge 'pups' (under 25 in) are tasty and plentiful - jig the humps.
Splake
Rig: Ice jig tipped with sweetener; casting spoons open-water
Bait: Jigs + mealworm/minnow piece, Kastmasters
When: Winter (ice) and just after ice-off
Brook × lake trout hybrid. Joes Valley has a trophy slot - check regs.
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.
Yellow Perch
Rig: Drop-shot two small jigs tipped with worm near bottom
Bait: Mealworms, perch meat (where legal), tiny tube jigs
When: Midday is fine - ice fishing staple
School fish. Through the ice, they save the day when trout sulk.
Tiger Muskie
Rig: Heavy rod, steel leader, big bucktails & glide baits, figure-8 at the boat
Bait: 10 in swimbaits, bucktails, big spoons
When: Dawn/dusk; overcast summer days
The 'fish of 10,000 casts.' Pineview is famous for 50-inchers. Handle with care & release.
Getting There + Nearby
Nearby adventures: Bowery Creek Campground (Fish Lake) (Camping, 1 mi) · Doctor Creek Campground (Fish Lake) (Camping, 2 mi) · Piute Reservoir (Fishing, 30 mi) · Otter Creek Reservoir (Fishing, 30 mi)
Quick Answers
- What fish are in Fish Lake?
- Lake Trout (Mackinaw), Splake, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch, Tiger Muskie.
- What is the best bait at Fish Lake?
- Tubes, jigging spoons, mealworms for perch
- When is the best time to fish Fish Lake?
- Early morning for big fish; perch all day. Season: All year - legendary ice fishing.
- Why fish Fish Lake?
- Because you can fish it twelve months a year and the drive stays open. Utah Highway 25 is maintained through the winter, though heavy snowstorms can limit it temporarily, so the ice season here is genuinely accessible. Perch have no limit, and only one trout or salmon over 24 inches may be kept.