Catching one of the big trout in Panguitch Lake makes a trip to the high-mountain lake more than worth it. But, starting July 22, you might receive even more.
Starting July 22, and running through Labor Day, Garfield County, the U.S. Forest Service, the Division of Wildlife Resources and businesses in the Panguitch Lake area are holding a fishing tournament at the scenic lake near Panguitch in south-central Utah. You can win a prize one of two ways:
· Catch one of 100 tagged rainbow trout. The trout will be tagged near their dorsal fin with a red “spaghetti” tag.
· Catch any fish that’s over 24 inches long.
If you catch a fish that qualifies, (either a tagged fish or a fish that’s over 24 inches long), bring it to one of the businesses listed at the end of this story.
In addition to receiving a prize, you’ll be placed in a drawing to win a rifle donated by Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife. The drawing happens Sept. 4.
“Fishing at Panguitch Lake is really good right now,” says Richard Hepworth, Southern Region fisheries manager for the DWR. “We have not yet seen any negative impacts from the Brian Head fire.”
Hepworth says Panguitch Lake hosts a healthy population of rainbow trout, Bonneville cutthroat trout and tiger trout.
Special regulations are in place at the lake.
The regulations are available on page 37 of the 2017 Utah Fishing Guidebook.
Fishing tourney at Panguitch
Rainbow Trout