What special fishing regulations apply at Flaming Gorge Reservoir?

Flaming Gorge Reservoir carries 5 special-regulation overlays that override Utah's statewide 2026 rules, covering Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Lake trout (Mackinaw), and Kokanee salmon. One of them reads: "WY/UT joint reciprocal compact on the boundary reservoir; IGFA all-tackle world-record brown trout 33 lb 10 oz Flaming Gorge UT-side 1979 by Robert L. Bringhurst (held IGFA world record 1979-1992); UT state-record lake trout 51 lb 8 oz Flaming Gorge 1988; trout 4 / day combined; lake trout no creel/possession limit on fish 28 in and smaller (reclassified nongame Jan 1 2025 to suppress small-laker overpopulation, protecting kokanee) with only 1 over 28 in in possession; kokanee salmon within the 4 / day combined trout limit (no possession Sept 10 – Nov 30); smallmouth bass 6 / day combined + 12 in min." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Flaming Gorge Reservoir?

Yes. Flaming Gorge Reservoir is in Utah, so a valid Utah fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Flaming Gorge Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Utah rules.

Do Flaming Gorge Reservoir's special rules replace Utah's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Utah's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Flaming Gorge Reservoir by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Flaming Gorge Reservoir?

Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Lake trout (Mackinaw), and Kokanee salmon have a water-body-specific rule on Flaming Gorge Reservoir, each linking to its full Utah regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Utah limits.

2026 regulation year

Flaming Gorge Reservoir 2026 — Utah Fishing Regulations

Utah statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 5, 2026

Flaming Gorge Reservoir carries 5 special-regulation overlays on top of Utah's 2026 fishing rules — covering Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Lake trout (Mackinaw), Kokanee salmon. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

WY/UT joint reciprocal compact on the boundary reservoir; IGFA all-tackle world-record brown trout 33 lb 10 oz Flaming Gorge UT-side 1979 by Robert L. Bringhurst (held IGFA world record 1979-1992); UT state-record lake trout 51 lb 8 oz Flaming Gorge 1988; trout 4 / day combined; lake trout no creel/possession limit on fish 28 in and smaller (reclassified nongame Jan 1 2025 to suppress small-laker overpopulation, protecting kokanee) with only 1 over 28 in in possession; kokanee salmon within the 4 / day combined trout limit (no possession Sept 10 – Nov 30); smallmouth bass 6 / day combined + 12 in min
Source: Utah special-water list

Per-species rules on Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Rainbow trout regulations →
Trout 4 / day combined; WY/UT joint reciprocal compact on the boundary reservoir
Brown trout regulations →
Trout 4 / day combined; IGFA all-tackle world-record brown trout 33 lb 10 oz Flaming Gorge UT-side 1979 (UT state record); WY/UT joint reciprocal compact; 8-12 lb fish routinely with 20+ lb fish landed annually
Lake trout (Mackinaw) regulations →
No limit on lake trout 28 in and smaller (reclassified nongame Jan 2025 to suppress overpopulation, protect kokanee), only 1 over 28 in in possession; UT state-record lake trout 51 lb 8 oz Flaming Gorge 1988; WY/UT joint reciprocal compact; 15-30 lb fish routinely on spring + fall jigging patterns
Kokanee salmon regulations →
4 trout/kokanee combined, no more than 3 kokanee; WY/UT joint reciprocal compact; Sheep Creek fall spawning run; no possession Sept 10 – Nov 30

Official source

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) publishes the authoritative 2026 Utah fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Utah fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Utah Division of Wildlife Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Utah trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Utah

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Flaming Gorge Reservoir?: Flaming Gorge Reservoir carries 5 special-regulation overlays that override Utah's statewide 2026 rules, covering Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Lake trout (Mackinaw), and Kokanee salmon. One of them reads: "WY/UT joint reciprocal compact on the boundary reservoir; IGFA all-tackle world-record brown trout 33 lb 10 oz Flaming Gorge UT-side 1979 by Robert L. Bringhurst (held IGFA world record 1979-1992); UT state-record lake trout 51 lb 8 oz Flaming Gorge 1988; trout 4 / day combined; lake trout no creel/possession limit on fish 28 in and smaller (reclassified nongame Jan 1 2025 to suppress small-laker overpopulation, protecting kokanee) with only 1 over 28 in in possession; kokanee salmon within the 4 / day combined trout limit (no possession Sept 10 – Nov 30); smallmouth bass 6 / day combined + 12 in min." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Flaming Gorge Reservoir?: Yes. Flaming Gorge Reservoir is in Utah, so a valid Utah fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Flaming Gorge Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Utah rules.
Do Flaming Gorge Reservoir's special rules replace Utah's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Utah's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Flaming Gorge Reservoir by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Flaming Gorge Reservoir?: Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Lake trout (Mackinaw), and Kokanee salmon have a water-body-specific rule on Flaming Gorge Reservoir, each linking to its full Utah regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Utah limits.

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