Fish Lake Utah

1. General Fish Lake Information 

A View of Fish Lake from the Mytoge Mountain Road

• The Lake
  
  Fish Lake is a mountain lake located in south-central Utah within the Fish Lake National Forest. The lake is approximately 5 miles long by 1 1/2 miles wide. The elevation at Fish Lake is just over 8,840 feet. The average depth of Fish Lake is about 100 feet, with the deepest location measuring about 130 feet.
  
  If you look at the mountain that lines the east side of the lake (opposite of the Fish Lake Lodge), you can see that the lake descends rapidly, quickly reaching its 100+ foot depth on that side. The west side of the lake descends more gradually (pictured above) and is known for its green moss beds. The moss hits full bloom in the late summer and in years with above average temperatures, reaches the surface at the south end of the lake, potentially causing problems for watercraft.
  
  Occasionally, you may hear stories of portions of the lake being so deep as to have never been accurately measured. Take these with a grain of salt...while the lake is deep, no mystery exists. Well, except for finding the right combination of gear and bait for catching the trophy Mackinaw that Fish Lake is known for.
  
• 
  Fish Lake Driving Directions
  
  > From Northern Utah:
  
  Head south on I-15. Take the Scipio exit (188) to US Highway 50. Travel 30 miles on Highway 50 to Salina. Travel from Salina to Sigurd on I-70 (take exit 48, which is the start of Utah Highway 24).
  
  > From Southern Utah:
  
  Head north on I-15. Take exit 95 and travel southeast on Utah Highway 20 for 21 miles. Then take US 89 north to Kingston. At Kingston take US Highway 62 east and then north at Otter Creek Reservoir to its junction with Utah Highway 24. Head south on Highway 24 to the Fish Lake turnoff (Utah Highway 25, the Fish Lake Scenic Byway).
  
• 
  Fish Lake Resorts
  
  There are three resorts at Fish Lake—Fish Lake Lodge, Lakeside and Bowery Haven. Between them they offer fishing licenses, supplies, cabin rentals, boat rentals, dining, a small handful of groceries, fuel, laundromats, showers and phones.
  
  > Lakeside Resort: 435.638.1000
  > Fish Lake Lodge: 435.638.1000
  > Bowery Haven Resort: 435.638.1040
  
  These resorts are open during the primary camping season—Memorial Day through Labor Day each summer.
  
• 
  The Fish Lake Lodge
  
  Construction on the Fish Lake Lodge began in 1928 and was complete by 1933. Constructed of spruce logs, the lodge measures 80 by 320 feet, and is one of the largest log structures in the United States.

2. Camping at Fish Lake 

Camping in the Bowery Campground at Fish Lake

• General Campground Information
  
  The Camping season in the Fish Lake Basin is Memorial Day through Labor Day. About half of the camp sites are reservable in advance, with the others being first-come first-served. Reservations can be made by phone or online.
  
  By Phone: 877.444.6777 (National Forest Recreation Service)
  Online: www.recreation.gov
  Reservation Fee = $10; Cancellation Fee = $10
  
  Fish Lake Campgrounds
  
  There are several camping options available for visitors to Fish Lake. For those with Motorhomes or larger trailers, there are two RV parks (Lakeside and Bowery Haven) with full hookups. There are also five developed campgrounds (listed below) for those with trailers or tents. Camping is only permitted at developed campgrounds within the Fish Lake Basin.
• 
  > Dr. Creek
  Camp Sites: 30 (30 Single)
  Reservable Camp Sites #'s: 5, 11, 16, 17, 18, 24, 25, 26, 27
  Max Stay: 10 days
  Camp Fees: $14 per night/single; $85 per night/Group Pad A or B
  Other Fees: $7 per additional vehicle
  
• > First Mackinaw
  Camp Sites: 14 (14 Single)
  Reservable Camp Sites #'s: 4, 5, 8, 9, 10
  Max Stay: 10 days
  Camp Fees: $14 per night/single
  Other Fees: $7 per additional vehicle
  
• > Second Mackinaw
  Camp Sites: 53 (44 Single, 9 Double)
  Reservable Camp Sites #'s: 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 40, 41, 43, 45, 46, 47, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58
  Max Stay: 10 days
  Camp Fees: $14 per night/single; $28 per night/double
  Other Fees: $7 per additional vehicle
  
• > Bowery Creek
  Camp Sites: 43 (33 Single, 7 Double, 3 Triple)
  Reservable Camp Sites #'s: 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 35, 36, 43
  Max Stay: 10 days
  Camp Fees: $14 per night/single; $28 per night/double; $42 per night/triple
  Other Fees: $7 per additional vehicle
  
• > Frying Pan
  Camp Sites: 11 (11 Single)
  Reservable Camp Sites #'s: 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, Group Area
  Max Stay: 14 days
  Camp Fees: $12 per night/single site; $60 per night/Group Area
  Other Fees: $6 per additional vehicle
  
• > Tasha Equestrian (must have horses to use this campground)
  Camp Sites: 10 (10 Single)
  Camp Fees: $10 per night/single site; $35 per night/Group Area
  Other Fees: $5 per additional vehicle
  
• > Piute
  Camp Sites: 46 (all pull-through sites)
  Max Stay: 60 days
  Camp Fees: $10 per night/single site
  
• > Lakeside Resort RV Park
  RV Spots: 24
  Park Fees: $20 per night
  
• > Bowery Haven Resort RV Park
  RV Spots: 72
  Park Fees: $22 per night; $120 per week; $425 per month
  
  
• Campground Availability
  
  Typically the campgrounds are very crowded on weekends, especially between the 4th and 24th of July. Arriving on Wednesday or Thursday is usually a good idea if you want to find the right spot for the weekend (or any spot). The Bowery campground usually fills first, with the Mackinaw and Doctor Creek Campgrounds not far behind. The Piute and Frying Pan Campgrounds, which are a few miles past the lake to the north, usually are the last to fill. Though on busy weekends, these both get plenty of use as well.

3. Cabins Rentals at Fish Lake 

The Three "Berry" Cabins at Fish Lake

General Cabin Information

There are a variety of cabins available for rent at Fish Lake. Prices vary from about $50 per night for more "rustic" sleeping accommodations to over $700 per night for multi-bedroom cabins.

• Lakeside Cabin Information (call 435.638.1000 to reserve)
• > Pinewood, Sagewood, Cedar, Fir
  Occupancy: 4
  Pricing/Night: $110 Regular; $130 Prime
  Security Deposit: $100
• > Columbine and Larkspur
  Occupancy: 5
  Pricing/Night: $115 Regular; $135 Prime
  Security Deposit: $100
• > Cottonwood and Maple
  Occupancy: 6
  Pricing/Night: $160 Regular; $210 Prime
  Security Deposit: $100
• > Sunflower
  Occupancy: 10
  Pricing/Night: $230 Regular; $270 Prime
  Security Deposit: $200
  
• 
  Fish Lake Lodge Cabin Information (call 435.638.1000 to reserve)
• > Robin, Eagle and Mallard
  Occupancy: 3
  Pricing/Night: $70 Regular; $90 Prime
  Security Deposit: $100
• > Muskrat and Beaver
  Occupancy: 6
  Pricing/Night: $150 Regular; $195 Prime
  Security Deposit: $100
• > Buckskin
  Occupancy: 6
  Pricing/Night: $120 Regular; $150 Prime
  Security Deposit: $100
• > Spruce and Elkhorn
  Occupancy: 8
  Pricing/Night: $180 Regular; $220 Prime
  Security Deposit: $200
• > Ponderosa
  Occupancy: 8
  Pricing/Night: $185 Regular; $235 Prime
  Security Deposit: $200
• > Aspen
  Occupancy: 8
  Pricing/Night: $175 Regular; $215 Prime
  Security Deposit: $200
• > Willow
  Occupancy: 8
  Pricing/Night: $150 Regular; $175 Prime
  Security Deposit: $100
• > Bearberry, Hollyberry, Elderberry
  Occupancy: 10
  Pricing/Night: $315 Regular; $385 Prime
  Security Deposit: $300
• > Moose Hollow
  Occupancy: 18
  Pricing/Night: $650 Regular; $775 Prime
  Security Deposit: $500
• > Mackinaw
  Occupancy: 22
  Pricing/Night: $450 Regular; $545 Prime
  Security Deposit: $300
  
• 
  Bowery Haven Resort Cabin Information (call 435.638.1040 to reserve)
• > Rustic
  Occupancy: N/A
  Pricing/Night: $49
  Security Deposit: N/A
• > 2-Bedroom
  Occupancy: N/A
  Pricing/Night: $75
  Security Deposit: N/A
• > Motel Rooms
  Occupancy: N/A
  Pricing/Night: $80
  Security Deposit: N/A
• > Duplex
  Occupancy: N/A
  Pricing/Night: $125
  Security Deposit: N/A
  

4. Types of Fish in Fish Lake 

On the Lake

Fish Lake Fish

There are several types of fish within the waters of Fish Lake, though not all are desirable. The lake is stocked annually with 200,000 Rainbow Trout and 80,000 Splake. Stocking of Lake Trout (Mackinaw) in Fish Lake has temporarily been discontinued as the forage to support more than the number of naturally produced Mackinaw is no longer available. This is due to the introduction (illegal) of Yellow Perch in the 1960s. The issue being that the Perch eat the main forage of Mackinaw—Utah Chubs.

• > Rainbow Trout
  
  
• > Mackinaw (Lake Trout)
  
  
• > Brown Trout
  
  
• > Splake (cross of Lake Trout and Brook Trout)
  
  
• > Tiger Muskie
  
  
• > Yellow Perch
  
  
• > Utah Chub
  
  
• > Utah Sucker
  
  

5. Fishing at Fish Lake 

A View of Seven Mile Creek North of Fish Lake

• Fishing
  
  Fish Lake is famous for its trout fishing, especially for the 25lb+ Mackinaw (Lake Trout) that are taken from the lake each year (available only for the most patient of fishermen). For the less patient and average-skilled anglers, there are plenty of nice sized Rainbow Trout and Splake available. These can most readily be caught still fishing from a boat or trolling. There is also great fishing at several nearby lakes, reservoirs and creeks including:
• Johnson Valley Reservoir
• Fremont River
• Forsyth Reservoir
• Mill Meadow Reservoir
• Koosharem Reservoir
• UM Creek
• Seven Mile Creek
• Box Creek
• Otter Creek

6. Hiking at Fish Lake 

1. Fish Lake Hightop Trail
   
   Length: 11 miles total
   Elevation: 11, 600 ft (peak)

7. Wildlife at Fish Lake 

Getting Close to the Wildlife at Fish Lake

There are many opportunities to view wildlfe at Fish Lake. Here are just a few of the animals you might encounter in the area. You are sure to see many Pot Guts...cougars and bears not as likely.

• Pot Gut (Uinta Ground Squirrel), Chipmunk, Deer,
• Moose, Elk, Porcupine, Beaver, Osprey, Golden and
• Bald Eagles, Various Birds, Bobcat, Cougar and Bears

8. Bird Watching at Fish Lake 

Not Too Difficult to Spot These Birds Over Fish Lake

• More Information Coming Soon!

9. Great Places to Visit Near Fish Lake 

Looking Down on the Trail Leading to Lower Calf Creek Falls

What Other Places Can I Visit Near Fish Lake?

There are a lot of great places to visit within a few hours or less of Fish Lake. All of the places below include driving directions from Fish Lake (drive time as listed is one way, so double it if you plan to make it back to Fish Lake). While your original plans may have only called for activities at Fish Lake, these places are definitely worth the extra drive time.

• NATIONAL PARKS
• > Capitol Reef National Park
  Drive Time: about 2 Hours 20 minutes
  
  
  
  
• > Bryce Canyon National Park (DIRECTIONS)
  Drive Time: about 2 Hours 20 minutes
  
  
  
• 
  UTAH STATE PARKS
• > Goblin Valley State Park (DIRECTIONS)
  Drive Time: about 2 hours 15 minutes
  
  
  
  
• > Anasazi Village State Park (DIRECTIONS)
  Drive Time: about 1 hour 45 minutes
  
  
  
• 
  SCENIC DRIVES
• > Boulder Mountain (DIRECTIONS)
  Drive Time: about 1 hour 40 minutes
  
  
  
• 
  OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
• > Lower Calf Creek Falls (DIRECTIONS)
  Drive Time: about 1 hour 45 minutes
  
  
  
  
• > Sunglow Cafe in Bicknell (Great Pie!) (DIRECTIONS)
  Drive Time: about 35 minutes