What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Powell?

Lake Powell carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Utah's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye. One of them reads: "UT/AZ joint reciprocal compact on the boundary reservoir (anglers fishing the main stem may use UT or AZ license); striped bass 0 / day catch-and-release-only encouraged removal (UDWR-distinctive — striped bass managed as encouraged-removal invasive species — no daily bag minimum below 20 in, harvest encouraged); smallmouth + largemouth bass 6 / day combined no minimum (UDWR-distinctive); no limit on walleye (UDWR-distinctive — managed as encouraged-removal non-native species, harvested fish may not be released; follow the regulations of whichever state's license you fish under); channel + blue catfish 8 / day combined; black crappie 25 / day no min; mandatory boat inspection at all AIS-positive entry points (quagga mussel detection 2012)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Powell?

Yes. Lake Powell 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 Lake Powell; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Utah rules.

Do Lake Powell's special rules replace Utah's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Utah's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Powell 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 Lake Powell?

Walleye has a water-body-specific rule on Lake Powell, each linking to its full Utah regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Utah limits.

2026 regulation year

Lake Powell 2026 — Utah Fishing Regulations

Utah statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 5, 2026

Lake Powell carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Utah's 2026 fishing rules — covering Walleye. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

UT/AZ joint reciprocal compact on the boundary reservoir (anglers fishing the main stem may use UT or AZ license); striped bass 0 / day catch-and-release-only encouraged removal (UDWR-distinctive — striped bass managed as encouraged-removal invasive species — no daily bag minimum below 20 in, harvest encouraged); smallmouth + largemouth bass 6 / day combined no minimum (UDWR-distinctive); no limit on walleye (UDWR-distinctive — managed as encouraged-removal non-native species, harvested fish may not be released; follow the regulations of whichever state's license you fish under); channel + blue catfish 8 / day combined; black crappie 25 / day no min; mandatory boat inspection at all AIS-positive entry points (quagga mussel detection 2012)
Source: Utah special-water list

Per-species rules on Lake Powell

Walleye regulations →
No limit on walleye (encouraged-removal non-native — harvested fish may not be released); UT/AZ joint reciprocal compact — follow the regulations of whichever state's license you fish under

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

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Powell?: Lake Powell carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Utah's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye. One of them reads: "UT/AZ joint reciprocal compact on the boundary reservoir (anglers fishing the main stem may use UT or AZ license); striped bass 0 / day catch-and-release-only encouraged removal (UDWR-distinctive — striped bass managed as encouraged-removal invasive species — no daily bag minimum below 20 in, harvest encouraged); smallmouth + largemouth bass 6 / day combined no minimum (UDWR-distinctive); no limit on walleye (UDWR-distinctive — managed as encouraged-removal non-native species, harvested fish may not be released; follow the regulations of whichever state's license you fish under); channel + blue catfish 8 / day combined; black crappie 25 / day no min; mandatory boat inspection at all AIS-positive entry points (quagga mussel detection 2012)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Powell?: Yes. Lake Powell 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 Lake Powell; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Utah rules.
Do Lake Powell's special rules replace Utah's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Utah's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Powell 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 Lake Powell?: Walleye has a water-body-specific rule on Lake Powell, each linking to its full Utah regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Utah limits.

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