Fishing Near Kanab Utah, Information & More…

There are tons of fishing spots near Kanab Utah. We have listed for you a ton of spots that we think you will find more than suitable to go sit back on the lakes edge or bring your boat out and go fishing. Living in Kanab Utah is a great place that has access to some great recreational things to do like fishing. Take a look below and check out the links for more information on great fishing in these areas.

Navajo Lake

This beautiful lake lies in a unique location within an interesting geologic formation. It is fed by snow melt and ground water through numerous springs and lava tubes. Covering over 600 acres when full at an elevation of over 9,000 feet, it drains into both the Sevier River drainage (via Duck Creek) and the Virgin River Drainage (via Cascade Falls). The lake drains through numerous lava tubes in the lake basin, making it a very nicer places for fishing near Kanab Utah.

In an effort to maintain a more consistent water level, a dike was constructed in the east end of the lake to isolate the major portion of the lake from some of the major lava-tube drains on the east side. On good water years, the area of the lake nearly doubles in size in the spring and the dike can be five feet or more under water. Maximum depth of the lake when it is up to the level of the dike is about 15 feet.

The shallow nature of the lake presents some challenges for managing a sport fishery. With its large littoral area producing a significant amount of vegetation and the long period of ice cover at this elevation, winter conditions are often marginal for trout. During the long winter, vegetation decomposes under the ice, using up oxygen and producing toxic gases.

In the past, trout survival has typically been poor over the winter. Spring-stocked rainbow trout grow to over 14 inches in the fall and, during good water years, can reach 16 to 18 inches the next summer, if they survive the winter. Fingerling brook trout are stocked later in the summer and usually better-survive the winter than rainbows.

The latest addition to Navajo Lake is the splake, a cross between brook trout and lake trout. These sterile fish are aggressive predators that help keep the Utah chub population in check. Splake have shown the best observed winter survival rates at Navajo Lake. For example, in winter 2007-2008, while the entire rainbow trout population was lost because of the low water levels, the number of splake actually increased. In 2008, anglers caught splake up to 19 inches and, with the abundance of chubs, you can expect to continue seeing the quality-sized splake.

Navajo Lake’s shallow nature means that anglers can catch splake year-round. Splake head to deep water during warm summer months, so you can usually only catch splake from October until April or May. Anglers have the unique opportunity to catch splake on a fly rod during the summer at Navajo Lake. Try stripping wooly buggers over holes in the weeds, or using flashy lures like Kastmasters and Jake’s. During heavy feeding times in early spring and late fall, or through the ice in the wintertime, jigs tipped with pieces of chub or sucker meat are very effective.

The lake is generally inaccessible during the winter except by snowmobile. Fishing can be good from shore from ice-out to when the lake freezes again in early December. Trolling spinners or popgear and a worm will work for boat anglers. During the late summer or fall there can be some good flyfishing in the west end. Boat launching can be difficult on low water years.

Navajo Lake is a pretty 1,500 acre natural lake (3 miles long) surrounded by forested hills.

Otter Creek Reservoir

Otter Creek Reservoir has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best trout producers in southern Utah. When conditions are right, the reservoir is one of the most popular fisheries in the state and literally pumps out thousands of pounds of rainbow trout a year. Located about 50 miles south of Richfield, it is one of the oldest dam projects in Utah. At full pool it covers over 2,500 acres and is one of the primary irrigation storage reservoirs in the Sevier River basin. Although there is no conservation pool, water users generally leave enough water in the reservoir to maintain the fishery except in years of extreme drought. It is one of the most productive lakes in Utah and spots for fishing near Kanab Utah, with stocked rainbow trout gaining over an inch a month at times. A State Park and private marina are located at the south end of the lake, providing camping, food, launch ramps, boat rentals and gas. Fishing regulations include state-wide limits of four trout and six bass without any special restrictions.

Water conditions and reservoir levels have been good since spring 2005. The stocked trout, primarily rainbow trout with a limited number of Bear Lake cutthroat, have grown rapidly. Otter Creek is a good spot for both shore and boat anglers, depending on the time of year.

Shore fishing is good in spring and fall when trout move into shallow water to feed. Try fishing off any of the points on the west side or near the dam and campground. Popular baits like PowerBait and worm and marshmallow combinations produce well. Hardware anglers will find success with flashy lures, spinners, crankbaits and Rapalas.

Shore fly anglers should try streamer patterns or nymphs and midge patterns drifted below a strike indicator. When the water warms in the summer, trout move deeper and into the middle of the lake, so fishing from a boat your best bet. Trolling popgear and a worm or any popular lure or spinner is effective. Some folks do well trolling any of the larger wet flies also. Spring winds can make fishing tough so plan on fishing early before the winds start.

Otter Creek is a popular ice fishing spot and produces some of the best action in the state. Try any standard ice fishing technique.

Smallmouth bass are a recent Otter Creek addition. Bass were introduced in 2005 as a biological Utah chub population control. Although the smallmouth habitat is somewhat limited, a few good water years have helped the population. Anglers should look for rocky shorelines that provide cover and shouldn’t pass up the riprap on the face of the dam.

Otter Creek State Park offers a boat ramp, tent and RV camping, day-use area, restrooms, showers, fish cleaning station, and sewage disposal. Reservations may be made online at stateparks.utah.gov or by calling (801) 322-3770 within the Salt Lake City area or toll-free at (800) 322-3770.

Otter Creek Reservoir offers year-round fishing and boating on 3,120-acres of water. Camping and picnicking units, modern rest rooms with hot showers, fish cleaning and sewage disposal stations, boat launching ramp and courtesy docks are

Panguitch Lake

Panguitch Lake is situated at an elevation of 8,212 feet approximately 18 miles southwest of Panguitch, Utah. It covers 1,234 surface acres, holds 40,100 acre-feet of water, and has a maximum depth of 66 feet. The lake is the source of Panguitch Creek and is fed by three small inlet streams: Blue Springs Creek, Clear Creek, and Ipson Creek. Panguitch Lake is one of southern Utah’s most popular and productive fisheries.

Panguitch Lake has historically been one of the most important sport fisheries in southern Utah. It has long maintained a reputation as one of the best trout producers in the state. The fishery has not been without problems, however. Competition between Utah chubs and stocked trout has been a chronic problem at the lake, with the trout fishery suffering when chub numbers are high. To address the chub problem, a new management plan was developed during 2005. The intent of the new plan was to maintain the family-type fishery that Pangutich Lake was famous for, yet implement actions that would address the problem of chubs in the future.

Goals of the new management plan included:

1. Maintaining an average catch rate of 50 trout per net-night in annual trend nets.
2. Maintaining at least 10 percent of the rainbow trout captured in annual trend nets as 2-year old or older fish (at least 15 inches in length).
3. Increasing predator trout (Bear Lake Bonneville cutthroat trout and tiger trout) to 25 percent of total annual trend netting catch.
4. Producing mean angler catch rates of at least 0.5 trout per hour.

The first step of the plan was to remove the chubs (trout were removed as well) by a chemical treatment in the spring of 2006. Following the spring treatment, over 60,000 10-inch rainbow trout were stocked, as well as an additional 150,000 smaller rainbow trout. Cutthroat trout and tiger trout rounded out the 2006 stocking.

Although biologists were hopeful that chubs were completely removed by the treatment, history has shown that they will eventually return to the lake. Consequently, additional measures were included in the new management plan to mitigate any impacts that chubs will have when they return. Species stocked will be different than in the past. The trout stocked in the lake include fish (Bear Lake cutthroat trout and tiger trout) that are better predators than rainbow trout and will feed on chubs and help keep their numbers in check. In order for this part of the plan to work, new regulations to maintain a population of the larger-sized predator trout will be necessary.

The new management plan implemented special regulations intended to protect predator fish population. The goal is to have a enough predator fish to control the chub population, when chubs return. The original 2007 regulations introduced a slot that required trout between 15 and 22 inches to be released.

The newly restored population of trout grew fast, which unfortunately meant that the majority of fish caught by anglers in 2008 were in the slot and could not be harvested. Since one of the management goals at Panguitch Lake is to provide anglers with fish that they can take home, the Utah Wildlife Board decided in fall 2008 to remove rainbow trout from the slot, while still protecting cutthroat and tiger trout.

Effective beginning in 2009, the new regulations allow Panguitch anglers to keep four trout, only two can be cutthroat or tiger trout under 15 inches and only one can be a cutthroat or tiger trout over 22 inches. All cutthroat and tiger trout between 15 and 22 inches must be released. There is no restriction on the size of rainbow trout that may be kept. Because rainbow and cutthroat trout can appear similar, it is important for anglers to learn how to tell them apart to avoid keeping fish that need protection. For help learning how to identify the trout in Panguitch Lake, refer to page 40 in the Utah Fishing Guide or download an identification guide.

TIPS FOR RELEASING FISH IN THE SLOT (15 to 22 inches): If a fish swallows the hook, please cut the line to avoid mortality. A fish can pass a swallowed hook and survive, while digging the hook out will almost certainly kill the fish. Also try fishing with single hooks instead of treble hooks.

Panguitch Lake is a natural 1,250 acre lake surrounded mostly by lava flows and some forest. Appropriately named by the Paiute Indians, Panguitch means “BIG FISH.”

Quail Creek Reservoir

Quail Creek Reservoir (also called Quail Lake) is one of the best known bass fisheries in Utah. Impounded in 1985, this reservoir produces trophy largemouth bass. Due to its close proximity to the St. George area, Quail Creek Reservoir receives a high amount of recreational pressure. It is also one of the closer more accessible ares for fishing near Kanab Utah. Anglers seeking to avoid conflicts with other water sports activities are encouraged to fish during the early morning or toward evening. Two State Park boat ramps and a campground are available. The Park entrance fee is $10.00 per vehicle.

Limit 6 bass, only 1 bass may be over 12 inches. Black crappie limit is 50. The limit of bluegill and green sunfish (a combined total) is 50. Black bullhead limit is 24. Trout limit is 4. Consult your fishing guidebook for more information.

The use or possession of live baitfish and tiger salamanders while fishing is unlawful. Use or possession of corn or hominy while fishing is unlawful. Use of live crayfish for bait is legal only on the water where the crayfish is captured. It is unlawful to transport live crayfish away from the water where they were captured. Use or possession of artificial baits which are commercially imbedded or covered with fish or fish parts while fishing is unlawful. For additional information consult Section R657-13-12 of the Administrative Rules.

Quail Creek Reservoir is attractively situated beneath red rock cliff walls. It is popular with boaters and offers some decent fishing. Quail Creek State Park along its southwestern shore offers a paved boat ramp, picnic area, swimming beach and a modern campground.

Sand Hollow Reservoir