Known as the “roof of Utah,” the High Uintas are the tallest mountain range in the state and are known for rugged peaks and countless lakes—most of which contain either brook trout, cutthroat trout, tiger trout, grayling, or rainbow trout. Fishing opportunities in the Uintas are abundant and diverse, ranging from hike-in lakes above treeline to float tube and shoreline fishing at drive-in access lakes. The lakes near Mirror lake Highway are by far the most popular and are managed accordingly with hatchery-bred trout being the norm. Alternatively, more remote lakes in the Uintas provide a more rugged wilderness experience, along with the opportunity to catch more wild, opportunistic trout that see minimal fishing pressure.
With the vast majority of the Uintas being split between the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache and Ashley National Forests, public access points are abundant across the range. From Kamas, the Mirror Lake Highway (SR 150) grants entry to the western half of the Uintas and is a great jumping off point to explore the near-limitless fishing opportunities within this unique mountain range. Crystal, Trial, and Mirror Lake Trailheads are all great introductions to the area and are located about 26 miles east of Kamas on SR 150. If you’re headed to the Uintas and want more information on the many stillwater fly fishing opportunities in the area, be sure to stop by the Fishwest Fly Shop in Kamas to learn more.
Due to its high elevation and lingering snowpack, the High Uintas typically aren’t accessible until June or even July during big snow years. As ice recedes from these high mountain lakes, fish are generally eager to feed before winter sets in again. This makes summer and early fall a great time to catch aggressive, opportunistic trout at high elevations.
Updated by Nate Harrison - 10.13.26
Lakes have been producing quality fishing opportunities. They’re starting to school up around the edges and looking for a protein packed meal. We’ve had great success using Wooly buggers, balanced leeches, chironomids, Sow bugs and egg patters under an indicator around 4 to 9 ft.
Look for deeper water and structure where the fish are holding. You’ll see them swimming around the edges of most of the lakes.
There’s been some decent size fish taking out of some of the lakes as of late.
Smaller Parachute Adams sizes 18 to 22 and elk hair caddis sizes 14 to 18 have produced good takes for dry fly opportunities, don’t hesitate to put a nymph underneath your dry fly around 18 to 24” Sow bugs, Chironomids, egg patterns, rainbow warriors and caddis pupa have been the ticket.
Go get it while you can, we’ve only got about 6 more weeks until the canyon is shut down for the winter!!!
