A Guide to Fishing and Exploring Wayne County

Vol. 4, #9; May 15, 1990

By Randy Garn, for the Capitol Reef Inn & Cafe - the perfect base camp for a trip into the lakes mentioned here. For reservations or current fishing conditions give them a call at (801) 425-3271.

Randy Garn is a songwriter, guide and fishing junkie who lives in the area he's written about.

Editor's Note: (This information is dated. Always check current conditions.)

Quick Find:   Cars, Motorhomes    4X4, Hiking

Wayne County and the adjoining areas contain some of the finest mountain trout fishing lakes in the West. If you include Lake Powell and its trophy bass fishing, this area is a fisherman's paradise. Boulder Mountain, Thousand Lake Mountain and Fish Lake Mountain offer excellent stream and lake fishing for brown, rainbow, cutthroat, brook, lake and splake trout. The current state record brook trout (7 Ibs. 8 oz.) and splake (2 Ibs. 4 oz.) were caught in the Boulder Mountains.

The following fishing areas are listed according to their accessibility. This is just a brief summary of a few local hotspots. There are hundreds of good fishing locations to choose from. Check with local Forest Service stations in Teasdale and Loa for more information. Distances noted are only approximate. For convenience sake, the starting point is Torrey for all the information on how to get to these spots.

The mosquitoes and biting flies are terrible on the mountains during the summer, so always carry a strong repellent. Be aware that we've had some drought years in southern Utah and we can't guarantee the amount of water in the streams, lakes and reservoirs discussed below. Check with the DWR or Forest Service before you head in.

Cars, Motorhomes and 2-Wheel-Drive Trucks

Lower Bowns Reservoir: This is a large lake, 37 surface acres, 45 feet deep. It is located on the east side of Boulder Mountain along Highway 12, the Torrey-Escalante Road, about 20 miles from Capitol Reef Inn. The fish commonly caught are rainbows and cutthroat trout, running from 1-4 pounds. The lake is large enough to accommodate small boats. The best shore fishing is on the sandy beach on the southeast end of the lake, and near the dam on the northeast end. Shore fishermen have the most consistent success using a night crawler and marshmallow fished right on the bottom. From a boat, silver spinners and black 1/8 oz. jigs work well. Flies fished on top of the moss beds near shore can be successful. Match your fly to the local hatch.

HOW TO GET THERE: Follow Highway 12, south from Torrey toward Boulder for 10-12 miles. Watch on your left for Pleasant Creek Forest Service Campground. Just past the campground, watch for a brown sign that reads Lower Bowns Reservoir. Turn left at the sign, off the pavement, and follow the road four miles to the lake. The road is generally in good shape, but can get muddy after a storm.

CAMPING: The scenery here is breathtaking with incredible views of the Waterpocket Fold. There are plenty of unimproved, no-fee campgrounds on the road into the lake and near the lake. There are three fee-required, full-service Forest Service campgrounds along Highway 12. It is close enough to Torrey so you can stay at Capitol Reef Inn and drive to the lake for a day of fishing.

Coleman Reservoir: Coleman is a small lake, 4.5 surface acres, 16 feet deep. It is located on the north side of Boulder Mountain, above Teasdale. The fish are mostly 1 pound or smaller rainbows. The scenery is spectacular. Fishing pressure is heavy in the summer. Shore fishermen do best right on the bottom with a nightcrawler, floating salmon eggs, or bouncing a black 1/16 oz. jig on the bottom. Fly fish a renegade or similar fly around the shore in the evenings and early mornings.

HOW TO GET THERE: This road is rough and becomes almost impassable in wet weather. It's best suited for pickup trucks and high clearance autos. It is possible to get a small motor home in during dry weather. From Torrey, go west on Highway 24 toward Bicknell. Two miles out of Torrey you will see a sign that says Teasdale Ranger District. Go past this sign and watch for a green highway sign that reads Teasdale. Turn south at the sign and follow the paved road through the quiet town of Teasdale. Continue on this road as it bends southeast out of town. About 1 mile out of town watch for a sign on your right that reads Coleman Reservoir, Blueberry Reservoir and Donkey Lake. Turn south here onto a dirt road and follow the signs to the lake.

CAMPING: Plenty of unimproved, free camping near the lake. It can get crowded on weekends during the summer.

Cook Lake and Raft Lake: These are two beautiful, high elevation lakes on the west side of Boulder Mountain. Cook Lake is 7 surface acres, and 15 feet deep. Raft Lake is 23 acres and 15 feet deep. Both lakes are subject to winter kill, but are stocked annually. Cook Lake holds brooks and rainbows, while Raft Lake holds mainly brooks. These lakes won't yield large fish; most are pan sized, but the scenery alone makes the trip worthwhile. The best bait is a nightcrawler fished right on the bottom, or a black jig bounced on the bottom from anywhere on shore. Small Superduper lures and mosquito-imitation flies work well.

HOW TO GET THERE: This is a rough road, muddy and slick in bad weather. During dry weather, autos and small motorhomes can get in. Go west on Highway 24 from Torrey toward Bicknell. About 5 miles from Torrey, watch for a sign that reads Fish Hatchery. Turn south onto this paved road and follow it on past the fish hatchery. This road connects to the southbound gravel road which goes on to Escalante. Follow this gravel road for two or three miles and watch for a sign that reads Pine Creek Reservoir, Bluebell Knoll and Raft Lake. Turn southeast onto this road and follow it about five miles up the mountain. Watch for another sign that says Bluebell Lake and Raft Lake. Turn east onto this road. After about 2 miles watch for Cook Lake through the trees on your left. Keep going past Cook Lake and follow the signs to Raft Lake, about 4 miles further. As you approach Raft Lake, you can see Bluebell Knoll, the highest point on Boulder Mountain.

CAMPING: Beautiful, undeveloped camping areas near each lake. Could be crowded on weekends in the summer.

Mill Meadow and Forsythe Reservoirs: These lakes are easily accessible, and are located just north of Fremont. They are both large lakes suitable for boats. They contain primarily rainbow trout, in the 1-4 pound range, with some even larger. Fish can be caught from almost anywhere around the shore. The best places tend to be where streams run in, and on the rocks near the dams. Soft cheese floated a foot or two below the surface works well. Try a nightcrawler fished on the bottom with a marshmallow on. If you have no luck, try a nightcrawler fished two feet under the surface on a float or bubble. A large Mepps spinner off the shore in the evenings can be productive. From a boat, troll pop gear or fish a spinner or black jig near the rocks and moss close to shore.

HOW TO GET THERE: Go west on Highway 24 out of Torrey. Follow 24 through the towns of Bicknell and Lyman toward Loa. Two miles west of Lyman, watch for a sign that says Fremont. Turn north on the paved road here and follow the road into and through Fremont. About two miles northeast of Fremont watch for a sign that reads Mill Meadow Reservoir. Turn left here onto a gravel road and follow it to the lake. For Forsythe, keep going on the paved road north past the Mill Meadow sign. Follow the pavement until you see the Forsythe Reservoir sign. Turn left there onto a gravel road which will take you into the lake area.

CAMPING: There are plenty of places to camp around both lakes but firewood is scarce. All camping areas are unimproved with pit toilets.

Fish Lake and Johnson Reservoir: These lakes are located very close to each other. They are two of Utah's most spectacular lakes. Fish Lake is a fisherman's paradise, containing trophy-size lake trout (20 lbs and up), huge rainbows 10 lbs and up) and nice sized brook, splake and yellow perch. The heavy moss on the northern shore and hard access to the southern shore can make it tough on the shore fisherman. The best bet off shore is the area just east of the lodge where Twin Creeks run into the lake. Float salmon eggs just below the surface or put a nightcrawler right on the bottom. For the determined shore fisherman, the south rocky side is a good bet. Access is tough, though. Just west of Doctor's Creek campground, right near the Forest Service boundary sign, is a rough dirt road running south. Drive as far as you can and walk the rest of the way. Follow the lakeshore dirt road around the shallow west shore until it ends. Then follow the footpath around on the south side until you reach the steep rocky shoreline. Float a nightcrawler just below the surface about 10 feet out from shore for some nice-sized fish.

Boat fishing is the most productive. Small boats can be rented at the lodge for a half-day or full-day at a reasonable price. The best bet for boat fishermen is to check at the tackle shops near the lake to find out what tackle is the most productive at the time.

Johnson Reservoir is located just a few miles east of Fish Lake and is the best bet for shore fishing. Fish off the dam with a nightcrawler on the bottom or floated just below the surface. Fish caught are primarily rainbows and run 2-pounds or larger. Early spring and late fall are the best times for hot fishing action just off the shore. With a boat, troll a Rapala or pop gear, or just go out and float a nightcrawler below the surface two or three feet.

How to get there: Follow Highway 24 west from Torrey about 30 miles. Watch for a sign on your right that says Fish Lake. Turn northeast on this paved road. Follow this 7 miles to Fish Lake. Johnson Reservoir is on up the road.

Camping: There are plenty of Forest Service, developed campgrounds in the area. There are also cabins and lodge rooms available to rent. Be aware it gets crowded in the summer and reservations can be required.

U.M. Creek: This is a pretty trout stream located north of Fremont. The stream runs from Forsythe Reservoir to Mill Meadow Reservoir. If offers excellent fishing for pan-sized wild brookies and cutthroats. The water is very clear and can require a lot of stealth and quiet to get your fish. It is probably my favorite stream to fish. Use a small hook and small split shot sinker, if any weight at all. Put on a small nightcrawler and let the worm bounce along the bottom of the holes. I don't know of anyone having luck with flies here, but a very small silver spinner can be effective.

How To Get There: Follow Highway 24 west from Torrey through Bicknell and Lyman. Two miles west of Lyman watch for a sign that reads Fremont. Turn north here on the paved road and follow it through Fremont. Keep going north on the pavement toward Forsythe Reservoir and Fremont Junction. About 5 miles out of Fremont watch for a sign on your right that reads Elkhorn Campground. Turn left, opposite the sign, onto a dirt road, and follow this down to the dam of Forsythe Reservoir. U.M. Creek runs out at the dam. There is a rough road to the base of the dam so you might prefer to walk that last quarter mile in.

CAMPING: There is a beautiful spot right at the base of the dam to camp, but you need a good truck or 4-wheel drive to get right to it. If you prefer you can drive as far as you dare and then carry your gear in or camp up near the lake. Firewood is scarce.

Fremont River: The Fremont starts as a small, clear stream at Johnson's Reservoir, then runs through most of Wayne County, terminating at Lake Powell, as the Dirty Devil River. It is like two separate rivers. The upper end is swift and clear, running through pines and quaking aspen, while the lower end is wide and muddy, flowing through dark, desolate canyons. Trout fishing is possible from the headwaters to about the west boundary of Capitol Reef National Park, just east of Torrey.

UPPER FREMONT: This portion runs from Johnson's Reservoir to Fremont. This is one of the finest, most beautiful trout streams in the West. It is also one of the least known. If you are willing to get away from the easy access points, and hike into the more rugged canyons, the fishing is superb! You can walk from hole to hole, pulling out hefty rainbows, cutthroat, brookies and that always-elusive brown. Park near the dam at Johnson Reservoir and follow the river into the canyons. Fish the holes with a bit of a nightcrawler. Put on just enough split shot to keep your worm on the bottom yet moving through the holes. Stay back from the water as best you can as these fish are spooked easily. In the evening, try a small renegade, or perhaps a muddler. Watch the hatches to determine what fly to use. There are a few holes suitable for lures: a super-duper or Mepps black fury will work well.

A dirt road follows the river from Johnson Reservoir to Mill Meadow and on to Fremont. The further you hike from the road, the bigger the fish get.

Below Mill Meadow Reservoir there are a few fast holes, but fishing here takes a lot of skill. About a mile below Mill Meadow, the river enters private posted land and pretty much stays that way until Bicknell. Ask locally and find out who owns the land. If you ask permission, you can generally enter the land. Do not fish private land without permission or you can ruin it for other fishermen.

HOW TO GET THERE: From Torrey, follow Highway 24 west through Bicknell and Lyman. About 2 miles east of Loa, you'll see the Fremont sign. Turn north here on the paved road. Follow this road on north through Fremont, until you see a sign that reads Mill Meadow Reservoir. Turn northwest onto this dirt road. The road follows the river to Mill Meadow. Drive around the reservoir and continue to follow the road up the river to Johnson's Reservoir. It's a rough dirt road and can get muddy in bad weather.

CAMPING: From Mill Meadow north, you can camp almost anywhere. There are plenty of shady spots with plenty of firewood.

LOWER FREMONT: Because of the private land bordering the river, fishing access is limited. Please respect the posted areas and always ask permission to enter someone's property. Be sure to always close gates and respect property rights. It is because of irresponsible and careless fishermen that more private access is being cut off to the public.

The water in the lower Fremont tends to be cloudy and more slow-moving. Most of the big browns that this stretch of the river is famous for are gone. However, if you can get to some of the more remote holes, you can still find big fish. Rainbow trout are now caught more than browns. I have recently taken a 4-pound brown near Bicknell. Your general catch will be rainbows, 1/2 pound and up. I have the best success with a nightcrawler rolled through the holes along the bottom. Always try fishing early mornings and evenings. A small, yellow, red-spotted Panther Martin lure 1/32 oz. works well in deep holes. Fish the cutback banks and wide, deep curves in the river.

HOW TO GET THERE: I'll list the current areas of public access. These could change at any time, so watch for no-trespassing signs. 1) From Capitol Reef Inn & Cafe, go east on Highway 24, through Torrey. On your right, just past the Torrey Post Office, is a dirt road running south. Follow this road about 1 mile down to the river. Fish on either side of the bridge. 2) Go west from Torrey on Highway 24 toward Bicknell. About 4 miles east of Torrey, you will see a sign that reads Fish Hatchery. Go south on that road to the river. The river can be fished here up to the hatchery fence. 3) Go west from Torrey on Highway 24 into Bicknell. As the highway bends north, at the west end of Bicknell, look for a paved road going south off the bend. Follow this road straight south. When the pavement swings west, keep going south onto a dirt road. Follow this road to the river. Fish on the west side of the road.

CAMPING: The only spot to camp is by the bridge, down the road from the Torrey Post Office. Your best bet is to stay at the Capitol Reef Inn & Cafe and fish during the morning and evening hours.

Donkey Lake: This is a beautiful alpine lake, 32 surface acres, and 28 feet deep. It produces large brookies, rainbow and cutthroat trout. Some can run 4 pounds and larger. Be sure you use a sturdy rod and good line. I use 10 lb. pro-line. A net is almost a must to land the big ones. Flies work well in the evening over the moss beds. It's good to match your fly to the hatch, but again the best seems to be a small renegade. Bait fishermen do well with a nightcrawler fished on the bottom. You can also work the boulders with an 1/8 oz. black or yellow jig. Be prepared for snags. The lake gets heavy pressure during the summer months.

HOW TO GET THERE: This is a rough, boulder-filled road. It can be driven by a 2-wheel-drive high-clearance pickup in dry weather but when muddy a 4-wheel-drive is a must. You can also follow the road as far as you feel safe in your vehicle and hike the rest of the way in. Follow Highway 24 west from Torrey. Pass the Teasdale Ranger District sign and continue west about one more mile. Watch for the sign that reads Teasdale. Turn south onto this paved road as it curves southeast out of town. About one mile out of town, watch for a brown sign on the south side of the road that reads Donkey Lake. Turn south onto the dirt road here an follow the signs up the mountain to Donkey Lake.

CAMPING: Plenty of unimproved campsites at the lake and on the road into the lake. Could be crowded during summer months.

Lost Lake: This is one of my favorite lakes. It is seldom used and is in a pristine setting. The fish here are big and smart. Don't expect a limit, but when you've got a fish on the line, it can be a heart stopper. The next state record brookie could easily come out of here. Be sure to use heavy tackle, a net, and tie strong knots. The only tackle I have ever had success with is a heavy black jig bounced off the bottom in the evening. Fish near the boulders and deadfall on the south side. Experiment with different lures and flies and you might have some luck. These fish are hard to catch.

HOW TO GET THERE: Follow Highway 24 west out of Torrey. Pass by the Teasdale Ranger District sign, continuing west about one mile past the Teasdale sign. Turn south here onto the paved road. Follow this through the town of Teasdale as it winds southeast. About 1 mile out of Teasdale, watch for a sign on the south side of the road that reads Donkey Lake, Coleman Reservoir and Blueberry. Turn south here onto the dirt road. Follow this road up the mountain. Bear right and take the road to Coleman Reservoir. About 100 yards from Coleman, you'll see a sign that reads Lost Lake. Pull over here and hike in. It's a steep 4-5 mile hike to the lake.

CAMPING: There are beautiful spots right next to the lake with plenty of firewood.

Fish Creek Reservoir: This is a remote, spectacular lake which holds the state record for brook trout, 7 Ibs., 8 oz. I have also seen some large rainbows taken out of here. These big fish are very wary and hard to catch. Try different jigs bounced off the bottom. If you're fly fishing, try to see what's hatching and match the hatch. A nightcrawler on the bottom can be effective at times. Use your own judgment. These fish are hard to catch and their feeding habits vary. As with Lost Lake, use heavy tackle, a good net, and tie good knots. These fish will really test your tackle.

HOW TO GET THERE: From Torrey, go east on Highway 24. Right outside of town, turn south where the sign reads Boulder and Escalante, Highway 12. Follow Highway 12 about 5 miles. You'll pass the road to Teasdale, then watch on the west side of the road for a sign that reads North Slope Road. Turn west onto this gravel road and follow it up the mountain. Turn south at the Fish Creek sign. The road gets ugly here. It is possible to drive into Fish Creek, but not recommended. I prefer to park where the road intersects the Boulder Top Trail, then hike the 2-3 miles to the lake.

CAMPING: Plenty of pristine spots on the lake. Plenty of firewood.

Blind Lake: This is another beautiful, high country lake. It is bigger than Fish Creek, and deeper. A lot of big fish have come out of here, primarily brookies, cutthroat and some nice catches of splake in the spring. Fish the rocky shore with black jigs, bounced off the bottom. Flies can be productive. Try to match the hatch. As with Fish Creek, these fish are wary and it's hard to recommend one particular type of lure or bait. Be inventive and try a variety of things and hopefully you'll hit the right combination.

HOW TO GET THERE: From Torrey, go east on Highway 24. Right outside of town, turn south on Highway 12, the road to Escalante. About 5 miles out of Torrey, you'll pass the turnoff to Teasdale. Keep going, and watch the west side of the road for a sign that says North Slope Road. Turn west onto this dirt road and follow the signs to Blind Lake. You can get close to the lake in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, then hike the last mile in. It's a fairly easy hike.

CAMPING: Plenty of undeveloped camping on the road into the lake and around the lake. Plenty of firewood.

This is just a brief taste of the fishing available. There are many more lakes in the Bolder Mountain area. Please remember to pack out what you pack in and leave a clean camp. Properly dispose of any garbage, waste and especially fishing line. Respect the environment and leave it so we can all enjoy it. Over the years, I have seen lakes almost destroyed by garbage. Don't let it happen here. Have fun and good luck!