Strawberry Reservoir Fishing Guide: Utah's Premier Trout Fishery

Strawberry Reservoir is the crown jewel of Utah fishing. Located at 7,606 feet in Wasatch County about 23 miles southeast of Heber City, it spans 17,000 acres and holds some of the largest Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout in the state. If you only fish one Utah reservoir this year, make it Strawberry.

What Makes Strawberry Special

Strawberry sits at high elevation, keeping water temperatures cold enough year-round to grow big trout fast. The DWR stocks it heavily — we're talking tens of thousands of fish per year — and the natural habitat is excellent. Deep channels, rocky points, and submerged vegetation give fish places to hold and feed. The result: a reservoir where 18-inch trout are common and 24-inch fish are caught every season.

Best Time to Fish Strawberry Reservoir

Ice-out (April–May) is the single best time of year. Hungry trout that have survived winter move into the shallows and feed aggressively. If you hit Strawberry in the first two weeks after ice-out, you're in for a special experience. Water temps are still cold, but fish are active and catchable.

Fall (September–October) is a close second. Cutthroat Trout in particular become very active as water temps drop, and the crowds thin out after Labor Day.

Summer fishing is slower but still productive, especially early morning and evening. Fish push deeper to find cold water during the heat of the day — trolling deeper water (20–40 feet) works best.

Which Species to Target

Cutthroat Trout are Strawberry's signature fish. The Bonneville Cutthroat has been the primary stocking species since the reservoir was rehabilitated in the 1990s. These fish fight hard and are not line-shy — one of the most satisfying trout to catch.

Rainbow Trout are stocked heavily spring and fall. You'll catch them throughout the season.

Kokanee Salmon were introduced and now have a self-sustaining population. They school in open water and run into the shallows in late summer and fall. Kokanee are fantastic on the table — many anglers specifically target them.

Brown Trout are present in smaller numbers, mostly in the deeper channels. Big browns are caught every year but require patience and the right presentation.

Proven Gear and Techniques

Shore Fishing

PowerBait on a float rig is the classic Strawberry setup and still works. Use pink or chartreuse PowerBait on a #10 hook with a small marshmallow for extra float. Cast near points, inlet areas, and the dam face.

For something more active, a gold Rapala Original Floater or Mepps Aglia spinner retrieved slowly along the bank produces strikes all day.

Boat Fishing

Trolling is the most consistent technique for bigger fish. Run Rapalas, Thomas Buoyant spoons, or Wedding Ring spinners at varying depths until you find where fish are holding. In summer, a downrigger or lead core line helps you get down to 25–40 feet.

For Kokanee specifically, troll a Wedding Ring tipped with corn or a Kokabow spinner behind a dodger. Vary your speed between 1.5 and 2.5 mph until you dial in the bite.

Ice Fishing

Strawberry is one of Utah's best ice fishing destinations. The reservoir typically freezes by late December and stays frozen through February. Jigging small spoons and tube jigs near the bottom in 20–40 feet of water produces Cutthroat and Rainbow all winter. Check ice thickness (4+ inches minimum) before venturing out.

Getting There and Facilities

Take US-40 east from Heber City. After about 20 miles, turn south on US-40 toward the reservoir. The main Soldier Creek Marina has a full-service boat ramp, fuel, tackle, and a fish cleaning station. The Strawberry Bay Marina on the north shore has a second boat ramp and camping.

Entrance fee: Required — Utah State Parks day-use fee applies (currently around $20/vehicle).

Boat ramp: Multiple ramps available at both marinas.

Camping: Strawberry Bay and Soldier Creek campgrounds have hundreds of sites. Reserve early in summer on recreation.gov.

Regulations (Always Verify with DWR)

Strawberry has special regulations — check the Utah DWR fishing regulations before you go. As of 2026:

• Trout + Kokanee combined limit: 4 fish per day total (not separate)
• Cutthroat slot: No more than 2 cutthroat under 15". All cutthroat 15–22" must be immediately released. No more than 1 cutthroat over 22"
• No filleting on the water: Trout and salmon may not be filleted, and heads or tails may not be removed in the field or in transit
• Voluntary release: DWR strongly encourages releasing all cutthroat to protect the wild Bonneville population
• Any trout with cutthroat characteristics — including jaw slashing — is legally considered a cutthroat

Current Conditions

Check the Strawberry Reservoir spot page for live DWR stocking reports, current weather, and recent fish counts — updated daily.