Fishing Forum

Great site here, lots of excellent information. Anyhow, I headed up to Little Dell a few days ago to check out the ice condition. There is some open water about 30-40 feet out in some spots near the inlet and a fishable spot on north west side near the dam. Did'nt hook any fish, but i saw a good sized cutthroat cruising the shallows feeding right after answering my phone. [crazy] I have vowed to not answer my phone while fishing.

Thats good news!! Thanks for the report. I live about 15 minutes from it. Ill be hitting that one up this year!
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Great to hear, just remember...Artificial flies and lures and No Keeping any of the Cutts.
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I was up there Thursday afternoon for a while and there was not enough open water at the inlet, so I fished the area along the northwest side towards the dam. I think I saw your footprints along the shore. I didn't get any hits or see any fish. It seams like most the fish are on the inlet end. Sure would like to luck into one of those toad brook trout in there! I've only caught one brookie out of there and lots of cutts, and the brookie was a 10'' model. Someday perhaps.
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There are some serious monster brookies in there. I remember seeing some that were seriously 2 feet long up by the inlet one fall. They didn't even look at my flies though. All I ever caught there were cutts, but they were always nice big healthy ones.
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Do you still have to pay the $5 whenever you fish there? Or is there another place to park where you won't get ticketed? I swear there's a cop that sits up there all day - I don't know what he's lookin' for.
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With it being our drinking water, I am sure it is closely watched. No pets, no bare skin, no bait.
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True. I still think I've seen some people not following the rules there before. They packed up when someone else (me) showed up. So what about the $5? Is that a year round thing?
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The Recreation Area is open to pedestrian access during daylight hours all year long.

Vehicle and Non-Motorized Boat Access:

The recreation area entrance gate is open 8:00 a.m. to dusk each day from Memorial Day Holiday weekend in May to the end of October.

Restricted Areas:

For public safety and security reasons, the dam as well as the water and shoreline area within 300 feet (100 meters) of the dam is restricted from public access. This area is under camera and patrol surveillance.

Boats

Non-motorized boats are allowed on the reservoir under the following restrictions:
Non-motorized boats only
Hand launch only
No docking facilities
Boats must be clean prior to entering the recreation area and launching. Cleaning debris from boats in the reservoir or protected watershed is prohibited.
Wind Surfing

Wind surfing is allowed on the reservoir under the following restrictions:
Wind surfers must wear a full dry suit. All other body contact is prohibited as studies show that human body contact in drinking supply source waters lead to increased incidence of illness. Wet suits, swim suits, and wading are not allowed.
Hand launch only
Bicycles

Bicycles must stay on paved roads or the Pioneer Trail as posted open for bike use, and must yield to all pedestrians.

Speed Limit & Safety

The recreation area speed limit is 15 mph for all motorized and non-motorized travel (including bicycles).

Dogs, Horses and Domestic Animals

Dogs, horses and all other domestic animals are prohibited in the protected watershed area to preserve drinking water quality.
See link for more info on dogs/animals in the watershed.

Fishing

Fishing is allowed on Little Dell Reservoir in accordance with the current fishing proclamation issued by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources . Please clean and dispose of fish waste outside the canyon to protect the water supply and keep the area clean for others.



Anglers must wear clean waders while in the stream or lake. Fishing from a float tube is allowed with a dry suit or rubber waders (wet suits is not allowed).
All Cutthroat Trout must be immediately released
Artificial flies & lures only
Brook Trout limit is 4
NO CLEANING FISH ON SITE or anywhere in the protected watershed canyon
The Little Dell Reservoir site is within the Parley's Canyon protected watershed area and falls under the guidelines and restrictions of the Salt Lake City Chapter 17.04 Watershed Ordinance. A violation of any of these restrictions is a Class B Misdemeanor. Penalties are up to $1,800 and/or jail. Please help us keep the water supply clean by observing the watershed regulations!


I think it is Still $5., but they have an annual pass as well for a fair price.

It does seem to be a target for poaching and illegal fishing. Up to us to stop that crap[]
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I wonder how they clean all the fish s&^% off the bottom of the lake?? []
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I have allways thought it was a fee area in season only, I havent noticed any obvious pay boxes and ive only been up there in the off season. I have talked to the public utility guys and a DNR guy and no one has asked about my fee. I will make sure next time I head up and clarify.
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Heay, I thought it was closed till a certain date, but according to the article I posted, it looks like it is always open.....
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so when is the "off season" you were speaking of?
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The main parking lot and access gate is always open. There is a seperate gate that leads down close to the shore that is only open memorial day to the end of october. My understanding is that the fee is only required when that gate is open, but i could be wrong.
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I know that the reservoir used to be closed to fishing except for the summer and autumn months but that has changed in recent years. I've never done very well up there. It's sometimes enjoyable just to be on the water though. This is from the 2010 proclamation:

Little Dell Reservoir, Salt Lake County
CLOSED to the possession of cutthroat trout • or trout with cutthroat markings.
All cutthroat trout must be immediately • released.
ARTIFICIAL FLIES AND LURES ONLY
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