Santa Clara River below Winsor Dam Fishing Guides
The release below Winsor Dam at Gunlock Reservoir, running red rock canyon country toward Santa Clara, with a gauge reading discharge and stage on a desert tailwater.
Guides on the Santa Clara River below Winsor Dam
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About the Santa Clara River below Winsor Dam
Winsor Dam impounds Gunlock Reservoir on the Santa Clara River in Washington County, and the river below it runs through red rock canyon and desert bench country on its way toward Santa Clara, Ivins and eventually the Virgin River at St. George. This is desert tailwater in the true sense. Flow below the dam is governed by irrigation demand and by storage rather than by the weather, and the river can go from a usable stream to a trickle on a schedule that has nothing to do with the sky.
That makes the gauge below the dam the single most important thing to check before driving out. It reads discharge and stage, and the discharge number tells you directly whether there is water in the river. A release means fishable water through the canyon. A closed gate means a series of disconnected pools. There is no way to guess this from a weather forecast, and a trip planned without looking is a trip likely wasted.
When water is being released the river holds trout below the dam, where the reservoir releases keep temperatures down, grading into warmwater species as the canyon opens out and the water warms downstream. Rainbows are stocked and browns are present, and the transition zone where trout and bass overlap is the interesting water. Gunlock Reservoir above holds largemouth, crappie and catfish and fishes as a destination in its own right.
The setting is the other half of the appeal. This is Snow Canyon country, red Navajo sandstone against black lava, and the canyon below the dam is spectacular on any day of the year. St. George is twenty minutes away with everything a trip needs, and the whole area is a short drive from Zion.
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Access
Santa Clara - the town downstream of the canyon, with basic services and the nearest river access.
Gunlock State Park - on the reservoir immediately above the dam, with a ramp, camping and lake fishing.
St. George - twenty minutes southeast, with tackle, groceries, lodging and the regional airport.
Snow Canyon State Park - the red rock country alongside, with camping, trails and developed facilities.
Ivins - between the canyon and St. George, with services and further access to the lower river.
Gunlock - the small community above the reservoir at the head of the canyon.
Zion National Park - about an hour northeast, the obvious addition to any trip out here.
Seasons
Spring: runoff and early irrigation releases give the most reliable water of the year and the best trout fishing below the dam.
Summer: hot and heavily managed, with flow entirely dependent on irrigation demand and the lower river too warm for trout.
Fall: releases taper off and the river often runs low, so check the gauge before committing to the drive.
Winter: cold, quiet and low, with the reservoir above usually the better bet and the canyon at its most spectacular.
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Questions
What is the current flow on the Santa Clara River below Winsor Dam?
As of Oct 18, 5:30 pm, the USGS gauge SANTA CLARA RIV BLW WINSOR DAM, NR SANTA CLARA, UT reads 1 cfs. Conditions update every 15 minutes.
What species can you catch on the Santa Clara River below Winsor Dam?
Anglers target Black Crappie, Bluegill, Brown Trout, Bullhead, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout on the Santa Clara River below Winsor Dam in Utah.
Where can you access the Santa Clara River below Winsor Dam?
Santa Clara - the town downstream of the canyon, with basic services and the nearest river access. Gunlock State Park - on the reservoir immediately above the dam, with a ramp, camping and lake fishing. St. George - twenty minutes southeast, with tackle, groceries, lodging and the regional airport. Snow Canyon State Park - the red rock country alongside, with camping, trails and developed facilities. Ivins - between the canyon and St. George, with services and further access to the lower river. Gunlock - the small community above the reservoir at the head of the canyon. Zion National Park - ab...
When is the best time to fish the Santa Clara River below Winsor Dam?
Spring: runoff and early irrigation releases give the most reliable water of the year and the best trout fishing below the dam. Summer: hot and heavily managed, with flow entirely dependent on irrigation demand and the lower river too warm for trout. Fall: releases taper off and the river often runs low, so check the gauge before committing to the drive. Winter: cold, quiet and low, with the reservoir above usually the better bet and the canyon at its most spectacular.
Where are the fishing regulations for the Santa Clara River below Winsor Dam?
Regulations change by season and section. Read the current rules on the Utah agency site: https://wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks.html