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Why Fish Here
The Lower Provo is the 5.9 miles between Deer Creek Dam and the Olmstead Diversion, and every foot of it is closed to bait. Artificial flies and lures only, limit two trout under fifteen inches. It drops from about 5,360 feet to 4,900 feet through Provo Canyon, a steeper fall over far less distance than the Middle Provo covers. Six pull-offs and parking areas serve it, including Vivian Park, which has fishing piers if you have someone along who cannot wade.
How To Fish It
Best rigs: Euro-nymph or indicator rig; streamers on cloudy days
Bait and lures: Midges year-round, caddis in summer evenings
Best time: Evenings in summer. Season: All year
Local tip: Minutes from Provo, fishes like a private river on weekday mornings.
Species Playbook
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.
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.
Mountain Whitefish
Rig: Small beadhead nymph or tiny jig near bottom
Bait: Zebra midges, wax worms, small nymphs
When: Winter! They bite all day when trout won't
Native, underrated, and they'll rescue any winter river trip.
Getting There + Nearby
Nearby adventures: Bridal Veil Falls (Hike, 2 mi) · Vivian Park Pond (Fishing, 2 mi) · Hope Campground (Camping, 4 mi) · Stewart Falls (Hike, 5 mi)
Quick Answers
- What fish are in Provo River (Lower)?
- Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Mountain Whitefish.
- What is the best bait at Provo River (Lower)?
- Midges year-round, caddis in summer evenings
- When is the best time to fish Provo River (Lower)?
- Evenings in summer. Season: All year.
- Why fish Provo River (Lower)?
- Because DWR calls this stretch arguably one of the best trout fisheries in the western United States, and it carries the Blue Ribbon designation. Browns, rainbows and whitefish are here year round, along with native leatherside chub and sculpin. Bait is not allowed anywhere between Deer Creek Dam and the Olmstead Diversion.