Lake Fork River Fishing Guides
The tailwater below Moon Lake on the south slope of the Uintas, a cold high-country river running out of wilderness headwaters toward the Duchesne, with trout and very little company.
Guides on the Lake Fork River
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About the Lake Fork River
The Lake Fork River drains the south slope of the Uinta Mountains, gathers in the high lake basins of the High Uintas Wilderness, and emerges below Moon Lake near Mountain Home before running south to join the Duchesne River. The gauge below Moon Lake makes the situation explicit: this reach is a tailwater, its flows shaped by releases from the reservoir that serves irrigation in the Uinta Basin below.
The Uintas are unusual among western ranges in running east to west, and their south slope carries a series of rivers of this kind, each dropping steeply out of glaciated headwaters into reservoir storage and then out onto the basin. What that means for an angler on the Lake Fork is cold water, a short and intense summer, and a river whose flows follow irrigation demand rather than the natural hydrograph. Late summer releases can be substantial, and low winter flows are equally a function of management.
The fishing is high country trout fishing. Rainbow and brown trout hold in the pools and runs below the reservoir, brook trout are widespread in the smaller and colder water, cutthroat trout occur through the drainage including native populations upstream in the wilderness, and mountain whitefish are present in the lower reaches. None of these fish run especially large, but they are numerous and willing, and the setting is superb, with the high peaks of the Uintas standing directly above the water.
Access below Moon Lake is by Forest Service road and campground, and the reservoir itself has developed recreation. Above it, the drainage climbs into designated wilderness where fishing means walking.
Pressure is light by Utah standards, which is much of the point of coming here, and the drainage rewards anglers willing to trade fish size for solitude and scenery.
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Access
Mountain Home - the small community below, with very limited services.
Roosevelt - the nearest town of size, with lodging, fuel and groceries.
Moon Lake - the reservoir at the top, with a campground, ramp and lodge.
Ashley National Forest - public land surrounding the entire drainage.
High Uintas Wilderness - the headwater lake basins above, reached on foot or horseback.
Duchesne River - the river the Lake Fork joins to the south.
Yellowstone and Rock Creek drainages - neighbouring south slope rivers with similar fishing.
Seasons
Spring: high cold water from snowmelt, with limited access until the roads open.
Summer: the main season, with good flows, active trout and access to the high country above.
Fall: cooling water and excellent fishing, though weather can close in early at this elevation.
Winter: deep snow and low releases make access difficult and fishing marginal.
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Questions
What is the current flow on the Lake Fork River?
As of Oct 18, 3:45 pm, the USGS gauge LAKE FORK RIVER BL MOON LAKE NR MOUNTAIN HOME, UT reads 7 cfs. Conditions update every 15 minutes.
What species can you catch on the Lake Fork River?
Anglers target Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout on the Lake Fork River in Utah.
Where can you access the Lake Fork River?
Mountain Home - the small community below, with very limited services. Roosevelt - the nearest town of size, with lodging, fuel and groceries. Moon Lake - the reservoir at the top, with a campground, ramp and lodge. Ashley National Forest - public land surrounding the entire drainage. High Uintas Wilderness - the headwater lake basins above, reached on foot or horseback. Duchesne River - the river the Lake Fork joins to the south. Yellowstone and Rock Creek drainages - neighbouring south slope rivers with similar fishing.
When is the best time to fish the Lake Fork River?
Spring: high cold water from snowmelt, with limited access until the roads open. Summer: the main season, with good flows, active trout and access to the high country above. Fall: cooling water and excellent fishing, though weather can close in early at this elevation. Winter: deep snow and low releases make access difficult and fishing marginal.
Where are the fishing regulations for the Lake Fork River?
Regulations change by season and section. Read the current rules on the Utah agency site: https://wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks.html