Why Target Them
Smallmouth are the most consistent warmwater fish in Utah, and also the one the state most wants you to keep. The statewide limit is 6 bass combined with largemouth, but Lake Powell allows 20 smallmouth a day, and at Gunlock and Grantsville reservoirs every smallmouth you catch has to be killed rather than released. They hold tight to rocky structure, so you will be working boulder banks and points instead of covering open water. The state record, 7 pounds 6 ounces, came out of Midview Reservoir in 1996.
How To Catch Them
Where: Flaming Gorge, Jordanelle, Lake Powell, Sand Hollow, Starvation
Go-to rig: Ned rig, drop shot, tube jig on rocky structure
Best bait and lures: 3 in green-pumpkin plastics, crawfish crankbaits, topwater early
Best time: Morning & evening in summer; all day spring/fall
Count to the bottom, drag it slow over rocks. Fights way above its weight class.
Your Loadout 🎣 Stock Up on Gear
Tackle + Bait Slots
Also works: crawfish crankbaits · topwater early
The all-round reservoir kit: enough backbone for wind and depth.
Where To Catch Them (12 waters)
Flaming Gorge Reservoir · Lake Powell · Jordanelle Reservoir · Deer Creek Reservoir · Pineview Reservoir · Starvation Reservoir · Rockport Reservoir · East Canyon Reservoir · Otter Creek Reservoir · Minersville Reservoir · Enterprise Reservoirs · Piute Reservoir
Quick Answers
- How do you catch Smallmouth Bass in Utah?
- Go-to rig: Ned rig, drop shot, tube jig on rocky structure Best bait: 3 in green-pumpkin plastics, crawfish crankbaits, topwater early
- Where can I catch Smallmouth Bass in Utah?
- Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Lake Powell, Jordanelle Reservoir, Deer Creek Reservoir, Pineview Reservoir, Starvation Reservoir, Rockport Reservoir, East Canyon Reservoir.
- When do Smallmouth Bass bite best?
- Morning & evening in summer; all day spring/fall
- Why fish for Smallmouth Bass in Utah?
- Because they are everywhere the water is rocky and they keep eating all summer, long after trout have gone deep and sulky. Flaming Gorge, Jordanelle, Starvation and Lake Powell all hold good numbers. One rule catches people out: in the Green and Colorado rivers, bass may not be released and must be killed.