Steinaker Reservoir

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Description:

Elevation: 5,520 ft.
Surface Area: 829 acres
Volume Capacity: 40,400 acre-feet
Max. Depth: 129.9 ft.
Avg. Depth: 45.9 ft.

Current Conditions:

Last checked for updates: 6/21/2018

Current Conditions

Updated 6-15-2018

Day-Use: Open.

Surface: Open.

Launch Ramp: Open.

Campground: Open.

Ice Thickness: N/A

Water Level: 43%

Water Temp: 64-67

Fishing Conditions: Rainbow-Good, Brown Trout-Moderate, Bluegill- Good, Bass- Moderate.

##Due to the dropping water level we only have one lane open for launching boats. Please be considerate and have your vessel ready to launch before backing down the ramp.

*Water levels have started dropping daily and will continue until the reservoir is drained by September 2018 for dam repairs. Construction will start July 7, 2018, please abide by the “no boat” water markers near the dam to keep the construction site safe for the workers. Come enjoy the water while we have it!

Boat Smart Wear Your Life Jacket!!

Steinaker Reservoir is a large reservoir immediately north of Vernal in northeastern Utah. It is an off-stream impoundment of Ashley Creek, which drains the eastern High Uinta Mountains. A state park at the reservoir provides year-round recreational opportunities.

Fish Species:

Directions:

Steinaker Reservoir is easily accessible from US-191 about four miles north of Vernal. The highway follows the east shore for about a mile. An access road leads across the north end of the reservoir to the state park, which is on the west side of the lake.

Current Regulations:

Statewide Bluegill/Sunfish limit - 50 fish
Statewide Trout/Salmon/Grayling Limit - 6 fish (in the aggregate)
Bass limit 6; only 1 may be larger than 15 inches.

Fishing Tips:

In the springtime, shallow-water fishing really perks up once the water temperatures get around 55 to 60 degrees for bass and bluegill, and from ice-off to about 60 degrees for rainbow trout. The fall is another 'hot' time for trout, when the water cools down once again.

During the summer, bass, trout and sunfish all seek out cooler waters, so anglers need to fish deeper.

For bass and bluegill, especially in the spring, try fishing in the shallow waters in and around the submerged vegetation. For rainbow trout, fish just outside the weeds, or in roughly 10 to 15 feet of water or more. Rainbows may be in shallower waters, but it's too easy to catch vegetation when trolling. These tips, in fact, apply to many waters in Utah.

Casting into openings in or near areas with submerged vegetation is usually very productive, especially for bass and bluegill.