Utah
Fishing License 2026.

License required?

Yes

Where to apply?

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) via the state's hunting and fishing portal, at DWR offices, or through 350+ license agents statewide.

Cost

2026 fees: Resident annual $40; Non-resident annual $85; Non-resident 7-day $40; Non-resident 1-day $16 (+$10 each add'l day); Resident 1-day $12. Youth (12–17) resident $16. Senior (65+) resident $25. Second-pole permit $15 (resident) / $25 (non-resident). No separate trout stamp required.

Validity

365-day rolling license from date of purchase.

Available online?

Yes

Children under 12 fish free and limits count against accompanying adult. Second-pole permit allows 2 rods simultaneously on most waters (not on Strawberry Reservoir special-regs, Green River, and some community ponds). Combination hunt/fish license $42 resident. Utah-Wyoming reciprocal license $31 adds Flaming Gorge Wyoming portion.

Closed seasons

Most still waters open year-round. Strawberry Reservoir tributaries closed Jul 31–second Sat of Aug for cutthroat spawning protection. Green River below Flaming Gorge open year-round, but Section C has seasonal access. Kokanee snagging season Sep 10–Oct 31 on select waters (tagged fish).

Catch limits

Trout (statewide default): 4/day, 8 in possession. Strawberry Reservoir: 4 trout, only 1 cutthroat ≥22"; all cutthroat 15–22" must be released. Flaming Gorge lake trout: 8/day, only 1 over 28". Largemouth bass: 6/day. Walleye: 10/day. Kokanee: 6/day.

Prohibited methods

Snagging (except kokanee-snag season), gaffing gamefish, firearms/explosives, chumming on most waters. Live baitfish prohibited statewide. Use or possession of felt-soled wading boots banned to prevent invasive species.

Catch & Release

Green River blue-ribbon section (dam to Little Hole): artificial flies/lures only, 2 trout over 13", only 1 may exceed 20". All cutthroat in Strawberry slot (15–22") must be released.

Blue-ribbon fisheries have special regs — Green River, Provo River, Strawberry Reservoir, Fish Lake. Mandatory AIS (quagga mussel) decontamination certification before launching on Lake Powell. Trophy lake-trout tags must be validated.

Best season

May–June (ice-off, spring spawn, Green River caddis hatch) and September–October (fall kokanee run, cutthroat pre-spawn, cool-water bass).

Freshwater

Massive tailwaters (Green River) and high-elevation reservoirs (Strawberry 7,600 ft, Fish Lake 8,800 ft) with exceptional water clarity. Uinta Mountains hold 500+ remote alpine lakes with brook trout and grayling.

Saltwater

Landlocked — no saltwater fishery. The Great Salt Lake holds brine shrimp only (commercial harvest, no sport fishery).

Equipment

Sportsman's Warehouse (Salt Lake, Provo, St. George), Fish Tech Outfitters (SLC), Western Rivers Flyfisher (SLC). Dutch John on Green River and Strawberry Bay Marina rent gear and sell regs.

Fishing guides

Green River float trips $450–$600/day (1–2 anglers). Flaming Gorge lake-trout guides $500–$700/day. Strawberry Reservoir guides $400–$550/day.

Transport

Fly into Salt Lake City (SLC). Green River/Flaming Gorge = 3.5 hr drive. Strawberry = 1.5 hr. Fish Lake = 3.5 hr. Rental car essential; much of the best water is in national forest.

Safety

High-altitude sun exposure (most waters 6,000–9,000 ft). Thunderstorms build fast over reservoirs in summer afternoons. Hypothermia risk year-round on tailwaters (water is 45°F below dam). Winter access to many waters requires 4WD + snowshoes.

License fees

$40 resident / $85 non-resident annual

Guide prices

$400–$700/day

Daily budget

Self-guided budget: $60/day. Guided day: $400–$600/day.