Lake Powell
Lake Powell, Garfield, Kane, San Juan counties. Utah DWR's rules for this water from the 2026 Utah fishing guidebook, page 35, with the statewide limits and any emergency change in force, as of noon, October 28, 2026.
Lake Powell
Garfield, Kane, San Juan counties · Blue Ribbon fishery
Statewide: kokanee salmon may not be kept. Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30 to protect kokanee during the spawning season. September 10 to November 30, 2026 · guidebook p. 5
Lake Powell · guidebook p. 35
See Fishing across state lines and reciprocal fishing permits on page 8 for license and permit requirements. See Bait on page 33 for the use of dead shad as bait in Lake Powell.
LimitLimit 20 smallmouth bass.
LimitLimit 5 largemouth bass.
LimitLimit 10 crappie.
LimitLimit 25 channel catfish.
LimitNo limit on striped bass.
LimitNo limit on walleye.
Keeping fishFish may be filleted at any time.
Keeping fishAnglers may possess filleted fish.
TackleAnglers may use dead striped bass as bait.
TackleChumming is allowed, but you may chum only with legal baits or dead striped bass, as specified in Utah Admin. Rule R657-13-12.
MethodGaffs may be used to land striped bass only.
MethodArchery (and underwater spearfishing) are prohibited within all of the following areas:
- One-quarter mile of all existing developed areas, including shoreline campgrounds, docks, launch ramps, breakwaters and trailheads
- One-quarter mile of any structure, including any building, shed, pump-out, boat dock, breakwater, permanent harbor fixture, camper, motor home, trailer, tent or vehicle
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument
- One-quarter mile of Dangling Rope Marina, including any land- or harbor-based structures
- One hundred yards (300 feet) of any boats (unless the person owns, rents, leases or lawfully occupies the boat), or another boat moves into the 100-yard perimeter after the bow or spearfishing activity has commenced
General rules that name this water
Lake Powell: one licence, two statesIf you have a valid Utah or Arizona fishing or combination license—whether you are a resident or nonresident—you may fish both the Utah and Arizona portions of the lake, as long as you follow the angling regulations that apply to the state where you are fishing. It is your responsibility to know and follow each state’s laws and rules for Lake Powell. Reminder: Even if you are licensed in both states, you may only take one daily limit each day.guidebook p. 8
Statewide limits
Changed at this water. A rule above speaks to these fish, and UDWR's order is that "that rule takes precedence over the general rules." The statewide figure is printed beside each so you can see what the rule starts from. It is not the limit here unless the rule above leaves it alone.
| Crappiesee the rule above, which names crappie | statewide: 50 |
| Channel catfishsee the rule above, which names channel catfish | statewide: 8 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth basssee the rule above, which names smallmouth bass, largemouth bass | statewide: 6 |
| Striped basssee the rule above, which names striped bass | statewide: No limit |
| Walleyesee the rule above, which names walleye | statewide: 10, only 1 over 24 inches |
Unchanged here. No rule above names these fish, so the statewide limit applies.
| Bluegill and green sunfish | 50 |
| Bonneville cisco | 30 |
| Bullhead | 24 |
| Burbot | No limit |
| Crayfish | No limit |
| Nongame species | No limit |
| Northern pike | 20, only 1 over 36 inches |
| Roundtail chub | 2 |
| Sacramento perch | 10 |
| Tiger muskellunge | 1 over 40 inches |
| Trout, kokanee salmon and Arctic grayling | 4 |
| Whitefish | 10 |
| White bass | No limit |
| Wiper | 3 |
| Yellow perch | 50 |
Group rules that may also cover this water · 1
The guidebook sets some rules for a group of waters without naming each one. This group is in the same county. Read the description: if it fits the water you are on, the rule applies to you.
Boulder Mountain lakes and reservoirs Garfield, Wayne · p. 29
NoteSee specific water restrictions for individual waters. Statewide regulations apply to those waters not specifically identified.
BoatsFishing from a boat with a motor is unlawful, except at Wide Hollow Reservoir, Pine Lake and Lower Bowns Reservoir.
Underwater spearfishing · guidebook pp. 19-21
Only if you spearfish. The guidebook names this water in its spearfishing section, as below. Its general rules for spearfishing follow.
Seasonal bass closures. The following waters are closed to the possession of largemouth and smallmouth bass from April 1 through June 27, 2026 (the fourth Saturday in June) while underwater spearfishing. When you are spearfishing for bass at these waterbodies, all daily limits and length limits apply.
Named asLake Powell, Garfield, Kane, San Juan countiesp. 20
SpearfishingAdditional restrictions apply. See exceptions below.
Exceptions. The following waters have exceptions while underwater spearfishing.
Named asLake Powell, Garfield, Kane, San Juan countiesp. 20
SpearfishingArchery and underwater spearfishing are prohibited within all of the following areas:
- One-quarter mile of all existing developed areas, including shoreline campgrounds, docks, launch ramps, breakwaters and trailheads.
- One-quarter mile of any structure, including any building, shed, pump-out, boat dock, breakwater, permanent harbor fixture, camper, motor home, trailer, tent or vehicle
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
- One-quarter mile of Dangling Rope Marina, including any land- or harbor-based structures.
- One hundred yards (300 feet) of any boats (unless the person owns, rents, leases or lawfully occupies the boat), or another boat moves into the 100-yard perimeter after the bow or spearfishing activity has commenced.
General rules for spearfishing guidebook pp. 19-21
All fishing rules applyWhen spearfishing, you are subject to all of Utah’s fishing rules, regulations, daily limits and licensing requirements. In addition to the following information, carefully review Rules for specific waters beginning on page 28.p. 19
HoursUnderwater spearfishing may take place 24 hours a day where allowed.p. 19
Free shaftingFree shafting is prohibited.p. 19
Artificial lightImportant: It is illegal to use artificial light while underwater spearfishing with the following two exceptions:
- If you’re underwater spearfishing for burbot or lake trout at Flaming Gorge.
- If you’re underwater spearfishing for common carp or Utah chub anywhere in the state where spearfishing is allowed.
Carp and Utah chubAt all waters open to fishing—during their open seasons—you can underwater spearfish for common carp and Utah chub, except for the Provo River and Provo River Delta.p. 19
Limits and closuresRemember: All possession limits and seasonal closures apply, regardless of the fishing technique you use. (This includes the statewide seasonal closure on kokanee salmon from Sept. 10 to Nov. 30.) Refer to the statewide Daily limits table on page 7.p. 19
Diver flagSCUBA divers are required to deploy the diver flag from the highest point of their boat, or from a buoy if not diving from a boat.
- For safety purposes, it is highly recommended that anyone snorkeling, spearfishing or swimming in deeper waters should deploy a diver flag and use caution to stay within 150 feet of the flag.
- Boaters are required to stay 150 feet away from this flag when it is deployed. It also signals to boaters that they should slow down and steer clear of the area to avoid people in the water.
Places on this water
Lake PowellKane Co.
Rules are UDWR's own words from the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook and its posted emergency changes. They are in force Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026. Species and stocking are UDWR's and are not rules. Not legal advice. The guidebook, the signed notices and signs posted at the water are the authority. Guidebook · Posted changes