Utah’s annual Free Fishing Day will take place Saturday, June 6, allowing anyone to fish at public waterbodies across the state without needing a fishing license for the day. The event, organized by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, is designed to introduce more people to fishing and encourage families to spend time together outdoors.

With warm temperatures arriving and fish becoming increasingly active, early June is considered one of the best times of the year to fish in Utah.

“Because you don’t need a license to fish on Free Fishing Day, it’s the perfect time to take someone with you and introduce them to fishing,” said DWR Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick in a recent release. “All of the fish in the state, both warmwater and coldwater species, are active and willing to bite this time of year.”

Hedrick also noted that ongoing drought concerns make early summer an especially important time to get outdoors before lower water levels later in the season could impact fishing conditions.

Great local options for families

For beginning anglers and families with young children, Utah’s community ponds remain one of the easiest and most accessible places to fish. The DWR maintains 57 community ponds around the state, regularly stocking many of them with trout and catfish throughout the summer months.

These ponds are ideal for short evening fishing trips and offer an easy way for children to experience the excitement of catching their first fish.

In central Utah, several nearby reservoirs and lakes also provide excellent summer fishing opportunities.

Strawberry Reservoir Remains a Summer Favorite

One of Utah’s most popular fishing destinations continues to be Strawberry Reservoir. Located a short drive from the Wasatch Front, Strawberry offers outstanding fishing for kokanee salmon, rainbow trout and cutthroat trout throughout the summer season.

The reservoir is especially popular among boaters, though shoreline anglers can also find success early in the morning and during evening hours.

Utah Lake producing white bass and catfish

Closer to home for many Utah County residents, Utah Lake provides convenient summer fishing opportunities with numerous access points around the shoreline.

The lake is well known for white bass runs during late spring and early summer, while catfish fishing remains productive through the warmer months. Evening fishing can be especially successful as temperatures rise.

Deer Creek and Provo River offer scenic fishing

For anglers seeking cooler mountain air and scenic surroundings, Deer Creek Reservoir continues to rank as one of Utah’s premier fisheries. The reservoir is known for strong rainbow trout fishing and also offers opportunities to catch both largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Nearby, the Middle Provo River provides some of the state’s best fly fishing during June and early July thanks to the annual green drake hatch. Brown trout and mountain whitefish are especially active during this period.

Anglers should remember that portions of the river have special regulations, including artificial flies and lures only in certain stretches.

Fish Lake and Joes Valley worth the drive

For those planning weekend getaways or camping trips later this summer, Fish Lake and Joes Valley Reservoir remain excellent destinations.

Fish Lake offers productive fishing for rainbow trout, perch, lake trout and splake in a cool mountain setting, while Joes Valley is known for trophy tiger muskie fishing along with healthy trout populations.

Northeastern Utah waters heating up

Further east, anglers continue to report strong fishing at Starvation Reservoir, where large rainbow trout and walleye are commonly caught during early summer.

Meanwhile, Pelican Lake has become increasingly popular among bass anglers, particularly fly fishermen using frog and minnow patterns near shoreline vegetation.

Bear Lake and Lake Powell draw summer crowds

Two of Utah’s most scenic fishing destinations — Bear Lake and Lake Powell — are also expected to attract heavy summer crowds.

Bear Lake offers opportunities for lake trout and cutthroat trout fishing, while Lake Powell continues to provide excellent action for striped bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and catfish.

Officials remind boaters at Lake Powell to follow aquatic invasive species inspection and decontamination requirements due to the continued threat of quagga mussels.

Remember the rules

While no fishing license is required on Free Fishing Day, all other Utah fishing regulations remain in effect, including daily fish limits and equipment restrictions.

Anyone age 12 or older normally needs a valid Utah fishing license to fish in the state during the rest of the year. Fishing licenses help fund conservation efforts and fish stocking programs throughout Utah.

The DWR also encourages anglers to recreate responsibly by packing out trash and helping keep Utah’s waterways clean for future generations.

For many Utah families, Free Fishing Day provides more than just a chance to catch fish — it offers an opportunity to slow down, spend time together and enjoy some of the state’s most beautiful outdoor settings as summer begins.