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Why Fish Here
The thing to know before you drive up is that this is an irrigation company reservoir, not a recreation lake. The Settlement Canyon Irrigation Company that runs it does not allow swimming, floating or boating, so everything happens from the bank and the water stays quiet in a way most Wasatch Front reservoirs never are. That also means you fish what you can reach, so walk the shoreline instead of parking at the first pullout. Rainbows and browns are the catch.
How To Fish It
Best rigs: Bobber + worm
Bait and lures: Worms, PowerBait
Best time: Evenings. Season: April-October
Local tip: Five minutes up the canyon from Tooele - shady picnic fishing.
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
Nearby adventures: Grantsville Reservoir (Fishing, 11 mi) · Great Salt Lake State Park (State Park, 17 mi) · Camp Floyd / Stagecoach Inn SP (State Park, 21 mi) · Flight Park State Rec Area (State Park, 22 mi)
Quick Answers
- What fish are in Settlement Canyon Reservoir?
- Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout.
- What is the best bait at Settlement Canyon Reservoir?
- Worms, PowerBait
- When is the best time to fish Settlement Canyon Reservoir?
- Evenings. Season: April-October.
- Why fish Settlement Canyon Reservoir?
- Because it is bank fishing without boat wake, a few minutes above town. The irrigation company that owns the reservoir does not permit swimming, floating or boating, so shore access is the only way to fish it. Expect rainbows, with a chance at a brown in low light.