Strawberry Reservoir, a sprawling body of water nestled in Utah’s high Uinta National Forest, is widely recognized as one of the state’s most productive and celebrated cold-water fisheries. Sitting at an elevation of over 7,600 feet, the reservoir’s immense size and pristine water quality create an ideal habitat for large trout populations. Anglers consistently seek out this destination for the reliable action and the chance to catch trophy-sized fish.
Primary Game Fish Species
The reservoir is home to three main game fish species. The most important species is the Bonneville Cutthroat Trout, specifically the Bear Lake strain, which is a native subspecies of the region. These cutthroat trout are managed not only for sport but also as a biological control agent to regulate populations of non-game fish, such as the Utah Chub. They are aggressive predators and regularly grow to lengths exceeding 20 inches, with the potential to reach over 24 inches for true trophy specimens.
Rainbow Trout are heavily stocked by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). These fish are sterile, which helps to maintain the genetic purity of the native cutthroat population. Rainbows are known for their fast growth rate in the nutrient-rich reservoir, frequently reaching sizes between 15 and 22 inches. Anglers often find them near the shorelines and in the shallower water column, particularly during the cooler seasons of spring and fall.
The Tiger Trout is a sterile hybrid created by crossing a male Brown Trout and a female Brook Trout. This fish is also stocked primarily to act as a predator, targeting smaller, unwanted fish species that compete with the trout for food resources. The hybrid is valued in fishery management because it does not naturally reproduce, allowing managers to precisely control its population size and impact on the ecosystem. Tiger Trout typically inhabit the deeper, cooler sections of the reservoir and are identifiable by their distinct, maze-like pattern across their body.
Fishery Management and Stocking Program
Since the reservoir receives over a million angling hours annually, continuous stocking is necessary to maintain the population density and provide consistent fishing opportunities. This effort ensures that the reservoir remains a productive destination despite the heavy harvest rates.
A specific focus of the management program is the control of the Utah Chub, a non-game fish that proliferated in the reservoir and threatened to outcompete the trout species in the 1980s. The DWR implemented a long-term strategy centered on the predatory nature of the Bear Lake Cutthroat Trout. The larger cutthroat are highly effective at preying on the chubs, with estimates suggesting the predatory trout population consumes millions of chubs each year.
The deliberate stocking of sterile Rainbow Trout and Tiger Trout further supports the management goals. The Rainbows provide a robust, fast-growing option for anglers to harvest, taking pressure off the cutthroat population. The Tiger Trout’s predatory nature is another tool in the biological control arsenal, helping to suppress any resurgence of non-game fish and maintain ecological balance.
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations
Fishing at Strawberry Reservoir is governed by site-specific regulations. The most notable rule is the mandatory slot limit applied to the Cutthroat Trout population. All cutthroat caught between 15 and 22 inches in length must be immediately released back into the water, regardless of the fish’s condition.
This regulation is designed to protect the large, mature cutthroat that are the most effective predators of the Utah Chub. Anglers are typically permitted to keep two cutthroat trout under 15 inches and one over 22 inches as part of a four-fish aggregate limit for trout and salmon. Furthermore, several of the tributary streams and surrounding areas have regulations restricting anglers to the use of artificial flies and lures only, prohibiting the use or possession of bait. These rules are in place because bait fishing often results in higher mortality rates for released fish that may have swallowed the hook. Anglers should always consult the current official Utah DWR fishing guidebook, as these specific regulations are frequently updated to best serve the evolving needs of this unique, highly managed fishery.