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Salt Lake Chatter
Salt Lake outdoors · Salt Lake and Tooele counties

Hunting & Fishing

Fish plantings, water reports and hunting seasons for Salt Lake and Tooele counties, straight from Utah DWR and DEQ. Every card shows its source and when we checked it.

Checked Fri Oct 30, 2026, 5:30–6:00 PM MT. These waters are in DWR’s Central Region. DWR posts word ratings for few of them, so we don’t add any ourselves.

Status key

Open nowComing soonClosedAlgae bloomMercury advisoryFall forecastNo current report

Hunting status is figured against Fri Oct 30, 2026 (MT) from the published season dates. Fishing cards use DWR’s own words. Where DWR has no recent report we say so.

Fresh fish planted

The 15 newest DWR plantings in Salt Lake and Tooele counties (last 60 days). Names, sizes and counts are exactly as DWR lists them; average size is in inches.

WaterCountySpeciesFishAvg sizePlanted
WILLOW PARK PNDSalt LakeRainbow30017.1Oct 21, 2026
SANDY COMMUNITY FISHERYSalt LakeRainbow7009.47Oct 13, 2026
GRANTSVILLE RESTooeleRainbow2,72011.6Oct 7, 2026
GRANTSVILLE RESTooeleRainbow1,36011.6Oct 7, 2026
MILLRACE PARK PONDSalt LakeChannel Catfish9964.25Oct 7, 2026
RIVERTON PONDSalt LakeChannel Catfish1,4984.25Oct 7, 2026
SUNSET PONDSalt LakeChannel Catfish4014.25Oct 7, 2026
WEST JORDAN BIG BENDSalt LakeChannel Catfish8014.25Oct 7, 2026
WILLOW PARK PNDSalt LakeTiger Trout1,47011.08Oct 7, 2026
KIDNEY PONDSalt LakeRainbow3019.55Oct 5, 2026
MIDAS PONDSalt LakeRainbow3019.55Oct 5, 2026
SETTLEMENT CYN RESTooeleRainbow3,0009.66Oct 2, 2026
GRANTSVILLE RESTooeleRainbow3,0009.66Oct 1, 2026
RIVERTON PONDSalt LakeRainbow5689.55Sep 30, 2026
WILLOW PARK PNDSalt LakeRainbow2509.55Sep 30, 2026

Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report · 193 Salt Lake + Tooele rows in 2026

Fishing · local waters

Jordan River

Salt Lake Co. · Utah Lake outlet to North Temple

Algae bloom · WarningNo current DWR report

DEQ warning advisory (Sep 28, 2026), river-wide. Monitoring sites: Utah Lake outlet, 12300 S Rotary Park footbridge (Draper), 5400 S Millrace Park (Taylorsville) and the Gadsby plant outfall (North Temple, SLC). DEQ says: don’t swim, keep animals away, clean fish well. Kayaking is OK.

Latest DWR fishing report for the river is from Jun 2, 2025, so there’s no current DWR report. Not yet posted.

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking · DEQ algae advisory

Little Dell Reservoir

Parleys Canyon · Salt Lake Co.

No current fall report

DWR’s newest report here is from Jun 18, 2026. No fall report is posted yet.

Last DWR planting: Brook Trout, 6,960 fish, Jun 25, 2026 (LITTLE DELL RES).

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking

Sugar House Pond (Fairmont Park Pond)

1040 E Sugarmont Dr · Salt Lake City · community fishery

Fall forecast · Sep 16

DWR’s fall community-fishery forecast (Sep 16, 2026): trout stocking runs late September through late November. Fishing is expected to be good to great. Try inline spinners, spoons, minnow imitations and jigs.

Last DWR planting: Rainbow, 250 fish, Sep 29, 2026 (FAIRMONT PARK SLC).

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking

Silver Lake (Brighton)

Big Cottonwood Canyon · Salt Lake Co.

No current DWR report

DWR’s latest fishing report here is from Aug 12, 2021. Not yet posted for 2026.

Last DWR planting: Rainbow, 500 fish, Jul 28, 2026 (SILVER L-BRIGHTON).

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking

Settlement Canyon Reservoir

South of Tooele · Tooele Co.

Check accessNo current DWR report

Mixed signals, so check before you go. DWR’s last written note (Jan 20, 2025) says the irrigation company closed the reservoir to the public. DWR still planted it this fall.

Last DWR planting: Rainbow, 3,000 fish, Oct 2, 2026 (SETTLEMENT CYN RES).

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking

Grantsville Reservoir

West of Grantsville · Tooele Co.

No current DWR report

DWR’s latest fishing report is from 2024, so there’s no current report.

Last DWR planting: Rainbow, 2,720 fish, Oct 7, 2026 (GRANTSVILLE RES).

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking

Vernon Reservoir

South of Vernon · Tooele Co.

No current DWR report

DWR’s Jul 2, 2026 emergency rule (limit raised to 8) ran through Oct 1 and has expired. No fall report is posted.

Last DWR planting: Rainbow, 994 fish, Jun 10, 2026 (VERNON CR RES).

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking

Sandy Community Fishery (Grandpa’s Pond)

Sandy · community fishery

Fall forecast · Sep 16

DWR’s fall community-fishery forecast (Sep 16, 2026): trout stocking runs late September through late November. Fishing is expected to be good to great. Try inline spinners, spoons, minnow imitations and jigs.

Last DWR planting: Rainbow, 700 fish, Oct 13, 2026 (SANDY COMMUNITY FISHERY).

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking

River Front Park ponds

South Jordan · Kidney, Midas and Riverfront ponds

Fall forecast · Sep 16

DWR’s fall community-fishery forecast (Sep 16, 2026): trout stocking runs late September through late November. Fishing is expected to be good to great. Try inline spinners, spoons, minnow imitations and jigs.

Last DWR planting: Rainbow, 301 fish, Oct 5, 2026 (MIDAS POND).

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking

Sunset Pond

Draper · community fishery

Fall forecast · Sep 16

DWR’s fall community-fishery forecast (Sep 16, 2026): trout stocking runs late September through late November. Fishing is expected to be good to great. Try inline spinners, spoons, minnow imitations and jigs.

Last DWR planting: Channel Catfish, 401 fish, Oct 7, 2026 (SUNSET POND).

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking

Willow Pond

Murray · community fishery

Fall forecast · Sep 16

DWR’s fall community-fishery forecast (Sep 16, 2026): trout stocking runs late September through late November. Fishing is expected to be good to great. Try inline spinners, spoons, minnow imitations and jigs.

Last DWR planting: Rainbow, 300 fish, Oct 21, 2026 (WILLOW PARK PND).

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking

Cove Pond

Herriman · community fishery

Fall forecast · Sep 16

DWR’s fall community-fishery forecast (Sep 16, 2026): trout stocking runs late September through late November. Fishing is expected to be good to great. Try inline spinners, spoons, minnow imitations and jigs.

Last DWR planting: Rainbow, 504 fish, Aug 17, 2026 (COVE POND).

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking

Riverton City Pond

Riverton

Closed Oct 1 – Apr 30

DWR notes the pond is closed Oct 1 through Apr 30 under Riverton City ordinance, even though it was stocked in early October.

Last DWR planting: Channel Catfish, 1,498 fish, Oct 7, 2026 (RIVERTON POND).

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking

Millrace Park Pond

Taylorsville

No current fall report

DWR’s newest report here is from Apr 28, 2026. No fall report is posted yet.

Last DWR planting: Channel Catfish, 996 fish, Oct 7, 2026 (MILLRACE PARK POND).

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking

Deseret (Rainbow) Reservoir

Tooele Army Depot · Tooele Co.

Fall forecast · Sep 16

DWR’s fall community-fishery forecast (Sep 16, 2026): trout stocking runs late September through late November. Fishing is expected to be good to great. Try inline spinners, spoons, minnow imitations and jigs.

Last DWR planting: Rainbow, 806 fish, Jun 29, 2026 (RAINBOW RES).

Source: Utah DWR fishing report · DWR stocking

DEQ fish consumption advisories: none listed for Salt Lake or Tooele county waters. DEQ fish advisories.

Hunting seasons

19 open now8 coming soon5 closed

Dates are from DWR’s 2026 guidebooks. Permit hunts need the permit for that unit. Not sure which waterfowl zone you’re in? We list both; check the line on hunt.utah.gov.

Big game

StatusHuntSeason
Open nowExtended archery elk
Wasatch Front extended area		Aug 15 – Dec 15, 2026
Open nowMountain goat
Lone Peak / Box Elder Peak		Sep 5 – Nov 25, 2026
Open nowExtended archery deer
Wasatch Front and Herriman (South Valley) extended areas		Sep 12 – Nov 30, 2026
Open nowMoose
Wasatch units		Sep 12 – Oct 31, 2026
Open nowGeneral-season bull elk · muzzleloader
Statewide general units		Oct 28 – Nov 5, 2026
Open nowLE buck deer · muzzleloader
DB1114 Cedar/Stansbury · DB1113 Oquirrh/Tintic · DB1041 Wasatch East · DB1087 Wasatch West		Oct 28 – Nov 5, 2026
Coming soonBighorn sheep
RS6721 · RS6724		Oct 31 – Nov 30, 2026
Coming soonLE bull elk · late rifle
EB3073 Wasatch		Nov 7 – Nov 15, 2026
Coming soonLE bull elk · late archery
EB3199 Wasatch		Nov 28 – Dec 13, 2026
ClosedLE bull elk · muzzleloader
Wasatch		Sep 21 – Oct 2, 2026
ClosedLE bull elk · midseason rifle
Wasatch		Oct 3 – Oct 15, 2026
ClosedGeneral buck deer · rifle
General units		Oct 17 – Oct 25, 2026
ClosedLE buck deer · rifle
Vernon		Oct 17 – Oct 25, 2026

Source: Utah DWR 2026 Big Game Application Guidebook (PDF)

Waterfowl

StatusHuntSeason
Open nowDucks, coots, mergansers · Northern Zone
Check your zone line on the DWR map		Oct 3 – Jan 16, 2027
Open nowScaup · Northern ZoneOct 3 – Dec 27, 2026
Open nowTundra swan (permit)Oct 3 – Dec 13, 2026
Open nowDucks, coots, mergansers · Southern Zone
Check your zone line on the DWR map		Oct 10 – Jan 23, 2027
Open nowDark geese · Southern ZoneOct 10 – Jan 23, 2027
Open nowLight geeseOct 15 – Dec 22, 2026
Open nowDark geese · Northern ZoneOct 26 – Jan 31, 2027
Open nowScaup · Southern ZoneOct 30 – Jan 23, 2027
Coming soonDark geese · Wasatch Front ZoneNov 10 – Feb 15, 2027

Source: Utah DWR 2026–27 Waterfowl, Upland Game & Turkey Guidebook (PDF)

Upland & turkey

StatusHuntSeason
Last day todayMourning doveSep 1 – Oct 30, 2026
Open nowDusky & ruffed grouseSep 1 – Dec 31, 2026
Open nowCottontail rabbitSep 1 – Feb 28, 2027
Open nowChukar & Hungarian partridgeSep 26 – Feb 15, 2027
Open nowFall turkeyOct 1 – Feb 28, 2027
Coming soonYouth pheasantOct 31 – Nov 5, 2026
Coming soonYouth quailOct 31 – Nov 2, 2026
Coming soonPheasantNov 7 – Dec 6, 2026
Coming soonQuailNov 7 – Dec 31, 2026
ClosedSage & sharp-tailed grouseSep 26 – Oct 18, 2026

Source: Utah DWR 2026–27 Waterfowl, Upland Game & Turkey Guidebook (PDF)

Salt Lake County hunting rules

  • No big game hunting within ½ mile of Silver Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
  • Emigration Township: archery only.
  • The closed part of Alta is off limits.
  • No rifle or muzzleloader hunting for buck deer or bull elk south of I-80 and east of I-15 in Salt Lake County.
  • Camp Williams and other military land are closed to hunting.

Source: Utah DWR 2026 Big Game Field Regulations (PDF)

WMA access & CWD

  • Since Jul 1, 2026, visiting a WMA in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah or Weber counties needs a qualifying license or a free WMA access permit.
  • Nearby WMAs: Blackhawk, Timpie Springs, Blue Lake (Tooele Co.).
  • Oquirrh/Tintic is a chronic wasting disease surveillance unit. Follow DWR’s carcass rules.

Source: Utah DWR 2026 Big Game Field Regulations (PDF) · hunt.utah.gov

Great Salt Lake ducks: eat-limits

Utah DEQ / DWR waterfowl consumption advisory · Great Salt Lake marshes

SpeciesContaminantAdultsKids 7–17Kids ≤6, pregnant
Northern shovelerMercury41Do not eat
GadwallPFOS442
MallardPFOS552

Meals per month, 8 oz servings. The common goldeneye advisory has been removed.

Source: Utah DEQ fish & waterfowl advisories

Local anglers & award winners

Not yet posted. State-record and big-fish entries will come from Utah DWR fishing records.

Sources

Chatter, not cement. Seasons and closures change, so check the official page before you go.