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Tackle + Bait Slots
Why Fish Here
The slot limit is the whole story here. You may keep two trout, but only fish under 15 inches or over 22, and everything from 15 to 22 has to go straight back. That one rule is what lets the reservoir carry the thick, deep-bodied trout it is known for. From January 1 until 6 a.m. on the third Saturday in May it is artificial flies and lures only, so leave the bait at home if you come up early in the year.
How To Fish It
Best rigs: Float tube + leech patterns; bobber + worm from shore
Bait and lures: Worms, leeches, spoons
Best time: Morning & evening. Season: May-October
Local tip: Above Zion at 8,100 ft - fat trout and aspen views.
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.
Cutthroat Trout
Rig: Strawberry: white tube jig 15-30 ft; Bear Lake: troll minnow-profile lures
Bait: Tube jigs, dead minnows (where legal), dry flies in creeks
When: Morning bite is king; ice-off is legendary
The Bonneville cutthroat is Utah's state fish. Strawberry slot: release cutts 15-22 in.
Brook Trout
Rig: Ultralight spinner or bubble-and-fly rig
Bait: Small spinners, worms, ants/attractor dry flies
When: All day at altitude; evenings best in summer
Aggressive and gorgeous. Boulder Mountain grows Utah's biggest brookies.
Getting There + Nearby
Nearby adventures: Lava Point Campground (Camping, 4 mi) · Kanarra Falls (Hike, 10 mi) · Riverside Walk (Hike, 12 mi) · The Narrows (Bottom-Up) (Hike, 12 mi)
Quick Answers
- What fish are in Kolob Reservoir?
- Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout.
- What is the best bait at Kolob Reservoir?
- Worms, leeches, spoons
- When is the best time to fish Kolob Reservoir?
- Morning & evening. Season: May-October.
- Why fish Kolob Reservoir?
- Kolob sits high above Zion's canyons, so a short drive trades desert heat for aspens and a float tube. The fishing rewards patience more than gear here. Remember the two-trout limit and the protected 15 to 22 inch slot before you plan on eating what you catch.