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Steinaker Reservoir

Steinaker Reservoir
Steinaker Reservoir

Description:

Current Conditions:

Last checked for updates: 2/21/2019

Current Conditions

Updated: 2-11-2019
Day-Use: Open.
Surface: Frozen

Ice is Never 100% Safe! — Do not judge ice safety on thickness alone. Ice does not form or maintain a uniform thickness. Snow, wind, slush, temperature, and other factors can cause ice thickness and strength to vary greatly, even within inches. Recreate on ice at your own risk and verify ice thickness as you head out. Click here to learn more ice safety tips.

Launch Ramp: Closed, due to extremely low water level. ATV’s and snowmobiles are not allowed on the ice this year. This is due to not being able to access the ice from the concrete boat ramp.

Campground: Open, but with a lot of snow. The drinking water is turned off for the season, winter camping rates apply.
Ice Thickness: 14″+ use caution any time you venture out on the ice.
Water Level: 0%
Water Temp: 30
Fishing Conditions: DWR attempted to conduct a Bluegill salvage on 2/11/19. It was found many fish were dead and those that were alive were directly under the ice. It looks like the fish are succumbing to low oxygen levels. DWR cut some 4 foot by 4 foot holes in the ice in an attempt to let more fresh water under the ice instead of it flowing over the surface of the ice. Be cautious near these holes which have been marked if you decide you want to venture out on the ice. On January 1, 2019, normal fishing regulations went back into effect. We anticipate fish will survive the low water through the summer.

*As of September 10, 2018, the water level dropped below the boat launch ramp for dam repairs. Due to this, access to the ice is limited to foot traffic only. Construction is scheduled to allow for the water level to begin filling Fall 2019.

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:

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.

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