Utah Lake is a large shallow freshwater lake that lies in the heart of Utah Valley and is one of Utah’s most diverse and popular fishing destinations. Utah Lake is an excellent warm water fishery that provides anglers with close access to some great fishing. In this article we cover the best fishing spots, species, baits, lures and everything you need to know about fishing at Utah Lake.
About Utah Lake
Utah Lake is a shallow body of water with the average depth being nine feet and a maximum depth of 14 feet (when the lake is full). The lake is 24 miles long and 12 miles across (over 96,00 acres) and half of Utah Lake evaporates every year. (Source: Utah Lake Commissions) Utah Lake sits in the heart of Utah Valley and is popular fishing destination for many fishermen. It provides anglers with opportunities to catch: white bass, channel catfish, largemouth bass, carp and several different species of pan fish.
Key Species at Utah Lake
• White Bass
• Black Bullhead Catfish
• Channel Catfish
• Common Carp
• Walleye
• Largemouth Bass
• Bluegill
• Northern Pike
• Black Crappie
• Yellow Perch
Utah Lake Fishing Hotspots
With so much water to cover and so many spots to choose from it can be a challenge for anglers to decide where the best place to fish is at Utah Lake. To help you with this, we have gathered a list of some of the most popular and productive fishing spots at Utah Lake. These spots are in no particular order and are all great places to catch a wide variety of species.
Lincoln Beach
Lincoln Beach is a prime fishing spot located on the south east corner of Utah Lake and is a favorite amongst most anglers. This spot has a wide variety of contours, rocks, flats and inlets and is great spot for catching both size and numbers of a variety of species.
Location: South-east corner of Utah Lake (4700 South Lincoln Beach Road, Spanish Fork Utah)
Best way to fish: bank, boat, float tubes
Bird Island
Located about 5 miles south of the Provo Boat Harbor. Bird Island is a fantastic place to catch big catfish, walleye and bass at Utah Lake. It’s called bird island because of all the birds that will hang out at the top of the island.
There is a long point that comes out of the island that is located on the south-east corner that is an excellent fishing spot. This is an area that you are almost guaranteed not to get skunked and a must visit spot if you have a water craft available.
Location: 5 miles south of the Provo Harbor
Best way to fish: Need some type of water craft (boat, float tube, etc.)
The Knolls
The knolls is another solid fishing spot. There are some great spots to launch a small craft and to wade out in the water. The land around the knolls has been recently required for public use so this area should see continuous improvement.
The spot is not as popular as a lot of the areas on this list, which makes it a great place to get away from the boat traffic and catch some healthy fish.
Location: North-east corner of Utah Lake (4400 W. Vineyard Road Orem, Utah 84057.)
Best way to fish: bank, wading, boat, small water craft
Provo Bay (Mud Lake)
Provo bay is a massive flooded marsh that holds a ton of white bass, walleyes, cat fish and largemouth bass. It’s located just south of the Provo boat Harbor and is one of the best fishing spots at Utah Lake. There isn’t a lot of areas to fish from the shore, so this area is best suited for a boat or some type of water craft.
Location: South of the Utah State Park in Provo
Best way to fish: boat, small water craft, wading
Powell Slough
Powell Slough is a kind of a sleeper spot that often get over looked. It best fished with some type of water craft. This can be a great spot for catching largemouth bass if you can find where they are hanging out. The water inflow is what makes this a good spot to target regardless of the species of fish.
Location: Location: North-east corner of Utah Lake (4400 W. Vineyard Road Orem, Utah 84057.)
Best way to fish: boat, float tubes, kayak etc.
Lindon Boat Harbor
The Lindon boat harbor is another great fishing spot that anglers can enjoy from a boat as well as the bank. It offers great fishing both inside and outside the harbor as well as some great fishing within an easy reach.
If you are fishing from the shore the west and north dike are excellent fishing spots. If you are fishing from a float tube or something similar there are some great areas all around the harbor that include flats, the bubble up, reeds, among others.
Location: North-east corner of Utah Lake (4400 W. Vineyard Road Orem, Utah 84057.)
Best way to fish: bank, boat, float tubes
Utah Lake State Park (Provo Boat Harbor)
The Utah Lake State Park in Provo is a popular spot for fishermen targeting catfish, white bass and walleye. It offers a close proximity and easy access to some solid fishing spots. Many anglers have success targeting the point of the north dike and the west dike. As well as in the harbor and the provo inlet.
Location: East side of Utah Lake (4400 W Center St, Provo Utah 84601)
Best way to fish: bank, boat, float tubes
American Fork Boat Harbor
The American Fork Boat Harbor offers anglers with a variety of fishing options and has some great fishing areas. Bank anglers have success fishing from the dikes and docks.
Catfish are also all over the outside of the harbor which offers some great fishing opportunities from a boat, float tube or something similar. The American Fork River Inlet is a popular choice but there are many great spots to be found on the outside of the harbor.
Location: North-east corner of Utah Lake (6398 S 100 W, American Fork, UT 84003)
Best way to fish: bank, boat, float tubes
Pump House
The Pump house by the Jordan River is a popular and solid fishing spot for all anglers. You This is a great spot all year round but when the pumps are turned on this area really heats up. The outflow of water attracts all species of fish and anglers.
Here some great information catfishing information about this area by “Tube Dude” a local catfishing expert:
Location: North-west corner of Utah Lake
Best way to fish: bank, boat, float tubes
White Bass Fishing at Utah Lake
Utah Lake is well known for having an abundance of white bass and is regarded as the best place to fish for them in Utah. White bass are a fun fish to catch for all anglers and are a perfect fish to target for kids and beginners. They can also make some great tacos and make for a great bait other fish.
White bass were first introduced in 1967 and is one of the most common fish in Utah Lake. An averaged size white bass at Utah Lake is around 10-11 inches and the average weight is a little less than half a pound. Most white bass that are caught are often 2-4 years old. These fish can be found at high density here, which can contribute to a stunted population at times.
Below are a few quick spots, tips and tricks that will help you catch white bass at Utah Lake. For more in detailed information on catching white bass check out our White Bass fishing – In Depth Guide
General White Bass Info
- Spawn: April to June
- Best time to fish: Spring
- Utah State Record: 4 lb 1 oz
Best White Bass Fishing Spots at Utah Lake
- The Knolls
- Utah Lake State Park (Provo Harbor)
- Jordan River Outflow and Pump house
- Lincoln Beach
- Benjamin Slough
- American Fork Boat Harbor
- American Fork River
- Lindon Boat Harbor
- Lincoln Point and L- shaped harbor and springs
- Saratoga Springs Marina
- Hobble Creek (On good water years)
- Jordan River through Utah and Salt Lake County
- Bird Island
- Spanish Fork River
- Battle Creek
Best White Bass Lures and Baits
- Curly tailed jigs
- Inline spinners (1/16 to 1/14 ounce)
- Tubes
- Marabou jigs
- Flies
- Bait (night crawlers)
Catfishing at Utah Lake
Utah Lake is a fantastic fishery that provides catfishing anglers with some great fishing opportunities. Utah Lake supports a large and healthy population of both channel catfish and bullhead catfish and is regarded as one of the best places to catch catfish in Utah. Here are
a few spots, tips and tricks that will help you have more success targeting catfish at Utah Lake:
General Catfish Info
- Spawn: May
- Best time to fish: Spring & Summer
- Utah Lake State Record: 32 lb 8 oz
Catfishing Fishing Spots
Utah Lake offers a wide variety of great catfishing spots for anglers that offer both size and quantity. Whether fishing from a boat, float tube or from shore there are plenty of great places to catch catfish Utah Lake.
Here are some of the top places to catch catfish at Utah Lake:
• Lincoln Beach
• Bird Island
• American Fork Boat Harbor
• The Knolls
• Lindon Boat Harbor
• Pelican Bay
• Provo Harbor
For additional details and catfishing spots, check out our “Utah Lake Catfishing Hotspots” article for more information.
Best Catfishing Baits & Rigs
The best and most effective baits for cat fishing at Utah lake is going to be your natural baits. White bass meat, carp meat and minnows are tough to beat and nightcrawlers work great as well. The more natural and fresher your bait is the better. However there are some other effective baits that work as well. Here is a list of baits that have been proven to be big time catfish catchers at Utah Lake:
- Carp meat
- Nightcrawlers
- White bass meat
- Shrimp
- Crawdads
- Minnows
- Hot dogs
- Chicken liver
- Stank baits
Bass Fishing at Utah Lake
For many sport anglers, a largemouth bass is one of the most prized catches and in my opinion at Utah Lake this is no different. Although they may not be as numerous or as easy to catch than a lot of other species at Utah Lake, they are definitely one of the most enjoyable.
Below we have outlined some great information about largemouth bass fishing at Utah Lake including areas to target, best time to fish for them, best lures and baits as well as some helpful tips and tricks that will help you catch more bass at Utah Lake.
General Largemouth Bass Info
• Best time to fish: Spring
• When do they spawn: Spring (May-June)
• Utah State Record: 10 lbs 2 oz
Where to Catch Largemouth Bass at Utah Lake
When looking for productive areas for largemouth bass I think it’s important to go back to the basic things these fish need to survive. In general, largemouth need: food, oxygen, proper water temperatures and they love cover/structure. Finding areas with these basic things will be key in locating good fishing areas regardless of the season.
Here are some of the best places to catch largemouth bass at Utah Lake:
- Provo Bay (Mud Lake)
- Powell Slough
- American Fork Boat Harbor
- Lindon Boat Harbor
- Utah Lake State Park
- Hidden Harbor
- Jordan River
- Pelican Point
- Lincoln Beach
- Saratoga Boat Harbor
Best Largemouth Bass Baits & Lures
There are many lures and techniques that will catch bass at Utah Lake. However, there are certain techniques and colors that seem to outperform others. In my opinion you can’t go wrong with throwing dark colors such as black and blue soft plastics or a white and chartreuse spinnerbait. The darker or brighter colors stand out in the stained waters of Utah Lake.
Here some of my favorite ways to catch bass at Utah Lake:
• Texas Rigged Soft plastics
• Senko
• Square-bill Crankbaits
• Spinnerbaits
• Jigs
• Frogs
• Top water (whopper plopper, poppers, spukes etc.)
Most Productive Colors: Black & Blue, Chartreuse, Red & Black, Green Pumpkin
For more details about the best Utah Lake baits for largemouth bass check out are other post “Top 5 Utah Lake Baits for Largemouth Bass”
Catching largemouth bass at Utah Lake can be a tough disposition at times, but they are well worth the time and effort. For more info on catching largies at Utah Lake go check out this article written by Don Allphin
Walleye Fishing at Utah Lake
Utah Lake is a shallow, silty, mud-bottomed lake with little aquatic vegetation and structure (thanks to a large part to the over population of carp). You might say that most of the lake is one giant mud flat. These conditions aren’t ideal for walleye but they have managed to adapt. Walleye are an opportunistic fish that are always on the go and are known for being most active at night. Walleye typically run in schools and work together in pursuit of their forage.
Below we have outlined some great information about walleye fishing at Utah Lake including areas to target, best time to fish for them, best lures and baits as well as some helpful tips and tricks that will help you catch more walleye at Utah Lake.
General Walleye Information
• Spawn: Early Spring
• Most active: Night
• State Record 15lb 9 oz
Where to Catch Walleye at Utah Lake
Much like other fish, water temperature, oxygen content and food availability al play key factors in dictating where walleye will hang out. Here are some great fishing spots to try for walleye at Utah Lake.
• Provo Bay (Mud Lake)
• Powell Slough
• American Fork Boat Harbor
• Lindon Boat Harbor
• Utah Lake State Park
• Hidden Harbor
• Jordan River
• Pelican Point
• Lincoln Beach
• Saratoga Boat Harbor
Best Walleye Lures
- Cotton Cordell Wally Diver
- Rapala Shad Rap
- Salmo Hornet
- Lindy Fizz-E Grub
- Storm Hot’n’Tot Mad Flash
- Rapala Husky Jerk
- Rapala Jigging Rap
- Strike King Red Eye Shad
- Reef Runner Deep Diver
- Rapala Original Floating
Carp Fishing Utah Lake
Carp aren’t the most beloved fish for anglers at Utah Lake they are an invasive species that is responsible for the lack of habitat because of the way they feed on and destroy bottom vegetation of the lake. There have been big initiatives to remove this invasive species from Utah Lake, but they continue to be a problem. However, there are some anglers and many bow fishermen that enjoy targeting these fish and even some that like the taste. It’s hard not to find carp at Utah Lake, they can really be found pretty much anywhere.
Other Utah Fishing Tips
- Best Trout Destinations in Utah
- Best Bass Fishing Destinations in Utah
- An In Depth Guide to Catching Walleye in Utah
- An In Depth Guide to Catching Tiger Muskie in Utah
Final Thoughts
Utah Lake is not only the largest freshwater lake in Utah but is a popular fishing destination for all anglers that provides diversity, size and quantity. Whether you are targeting, catfish, walleye, bass there are plenty of great fishing spots throughout the lake. We hope that you have found this information to be insightful and most of all we hope that it helps you get out there and catch more fish at Utah Lake.
Tight Lines!