Best Lakes in Utah

Whether you are a first timer to Utah or a long time resident, there are many beautiful lakes that you can visit. These lakes are great for family outings, and even some that are good for fishing. Some of the lakes that you can visit include the Bear Lake, the Silver Lake Visitor Center, and the Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Located near Jackson Hole, Flaming Gorge Reservoir is a beautiful lake and is ideal for water sports and other outdoor activities. It offers plenty of opportunities for fishing, mountain biking, and hiking. There are also several campsites along the lake.

In the 1960s, a dam was built to impound the waters of the Green River. The dam was 505 feet high and 1286 feet long. This dam provided excellent habitat for trout. The dam also helped store water for the Colorado River Storage Project.

The dam was constructed in the Uinta mountain range. The dam is famous for its trophy lake trout. Fishing here is possible throughout the year.

The dam is also known for its hydroelectricity. The dam has a capacity of 3,788,900 acre-feet. The reservoir’s foundation is made up of siliceous sandstone and hard quartzites.

The dam has also provided excellent habitat for water skiers. The water is also good for salmon and other fish. There are several hiking trails in the area. One of the most popular is the Moonshine Arch hike. The area is also popular with fly fishers. They love to chase trout with feathered flies.

The Flaming Gorge area is a great place to visit during the summer or winter. The region is great for sleigh rides, fishing, and hiking. It is also a great place to visit with children. It is a wonderful place to go for a family weekend getaway.

Quail Creek Reservoir

Located in Washington County, Quail Creek Reservoir is a popular watersports location. It is located on a scenic body of water and is ideal for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. It is also a great place for camping.

Quail Creek Reservoir has warm water that is perfect for kayaking. It is also home to largemouth bass. They thrive in warmer water in the upper layers of the reservoir. The reservoir is also home to bluegill and bullhead catfish.

The park also has a twelve-mile overlook trail, along with a campground. The campground has 23 single-family sites, along with a swimming beach and picnic areas. The park is also located in an area of stunning red rock country. The park is open year round. The area is also well known for its wildlife viewing and hiking.

The area is also home to many other lakes. Jordanelle Reservoir is close by and offers beautiful scenery and fishing. Lake Powell is also located in the area and is stocked with largemouth bass, bullhead catfish, and rainbow trout.

Boaters enjoy Quail Creek Reservoir year round. Boaters are allowed to bring both motorized and nonmotorized boats. Non-residents have to have a fishing license. It costs $34 for an annual license.

Boaters are allowed to carry out water sports such as paddle boarding. Dig Paddlesports opened within the park in 2014. They carry popular brands of kayaks. The company also provides certified coaching.

Strawberry Reservoir

Located in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, Strawberry Reservoir is one of the top lakes in the state. It is a great place for boating, fishing, and tubing. It is also a popular destination for camping.

The reservoir is also home to Kokanee salmon, which are large and resemble the Pacific salmon. They have a hooked jaw and hump on their back.

Strawberry Reservoir is also home to rainbow trout, which are regularly stocked in the lake. The fish in this reservoir grow rapidly. The rainbows are sterile, meaning that they will not cross with pure-strain cutthroats.

In addition to fishing, Strawberry Reservoir is a great spot for boating, swimming, and tubing. You can also take guided fishing tours on the reservoir.

Strawberry Reservoir is part of the Blue Ribbon Fisheries program, meaning that it receives over 1.5 million angling hours each year. According to the Division of Wildlife Resources, anglers caught 617,000 game fish during that time.

Strawberry Reservoir is also home of kokanee salmon. These salmon have hooked jaws and hump on their back. They feed on damel flies, crawfish, and stillwater mayflies.

Anglers can catch both rainbow trout and salmon on Strawberry Reservoir. The water is very cold, so fishermen should be prepared to fish in the winter. The best time for ice fishing is in January or February.

The water is also popular for water skiing. You can rent a watercraft from the Strawberry Bay Marina or the Soldier Creek Marina.

Red Canyon Lake

Located in Red Canyon, Utah, Red Canyon Lake is one of the best lakes in Utah for both fishing and hiking. The area features a trail system that is perfect for the whole family. You can take a short walk along the Losee Canyon Trail for a rugged view of the Red Canyon area’s “crown jewels”. There are also several hiking trails that you can take to see the surrounding vistas.

You can visit the Red Canyon Visitor Center to learn more about the area and what to do while you’re there. They’ll have information about hiking, sightseeing, camping, and fishing. You can also rent boats and equipment from a few outfitters. They’ll also be able to give you information on local wildlife.

There are five different trails to choose from. You can hike for a short distance, or take a longer, more challenging hike. The Losee Canyon Trail is a three-mile trail. You can also hike on the five lakes loop trail. You can also rent a kayak or paddleboard at the nearby concession.

Fishing is available year round. The lake’s waters are stocked with rainbow trout and brook trout. They range in size from two to five pounds. There are also smallmouth bass and lake trout. The best time to fish for these fish is in the fall.

Fishing on the Red Canyon Lake is free. You can catch and release. You can also buy a variety of bait and fishing supplies from the Red Canyon Lodge.

Bear Lake

Located in northern Utah, Bear Lake is a popular tourist spot. This turquoise-blue natural lake is a great place to go sailing or to take a relaxing dip. It’s also the perfect spot for fishing and boating.

The area around the lake is filled with lush nature. There are plenty of beaches and marinas to choose from. It’s also home to two nine-hole golf courses. One of these is the Bear Lake Golf Course.

Bear Lake also has two state parks and a marina. The marina has 305 boat slips. The marina is located on the Utah side of the lake. It’s also home to a sand beach.

The Limber Pine Trail is a 1.5-mile roundtrip. This trail offers educational signs along the way. The trail also has faraway lake views.

The Pickleville Playhouse is also a fun place to visit. This is a great place to stop for raspberry shakes or a shell collecting adventure. It also hosts local shows.

The Laketown Canyon Trail is also a good way to see the lake and enjoy the scenery. This trail starts at the rodeo arena and passes the reservoir. It then crests out at a spring.

There are also two nine-hole golf courses in the Bear Lake area. One is located in Utah and one is located in Idaho. The Idaho course is 2715 yards long at a par 33.

Silver Lake Visitor Center

Located in Brighton Bowl in Big Cottonwood Canyon, the Silver Lake Visitor Center provides visitors with a variety of educational opportunities. Visitors can learn about the importance of healthy watersheds while enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains. The Silver Lake Visitor Center was designed in Cascade style, and received a design award from President Reagan in 1988.

Interpretive naturalist guides at the Silver Lake Visitor Center work in partnership with the US Forest Service to help visitors learn about the local natural history. They are supported by the Tom and Barbara Lyon Family Foundation, and are trained to educate visitors about the natural world.

The Silver Lake Visitor Center offers a variety of interpretive displays, including a working seismograph and a model volcano. The center is also home to a number of exhibits highlighting the natural history and plants and animals found in the area.

Silver Lake is part of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. It is popular for paddling, ice fishing, and camping. The area also has a popular sandy swimming area.

Visitors can also take a mile-long trail that follows the lake’s shores and enter marshy plains. This trail is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, and provides a glimpse of the lake’s natural habitat. There is also a boardwalk over the wetland, which provides a look at lake plant life.

Silver Lake is also home to many species of birds, including migratory waterfowl. In the summer, visitors can watch moose browsing the trail.