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SALT LAKE CITY — Catching a variety of fish species is generally of great interest to many anglers. One such fish that could or should be on your bucket list is the unique and beautiful Arctic grayling.
Their colors range from silver to purple in the sides and top of the fish and a dorsal fin with light coloration spots of a variety of colors. Spotting on the sides of the grayling are mostly toward the front end of the fish and diminish as you move to the tail.
What to use
This fish is caught in High Uinta lakes and streams and is probably best known for its high dorsal fin. Their mouths are relatively small compared to trout species, but will readily take a variety of small lures and artificial flies. Inline spinning lures, tiny Kastmaster spoons, and flies will readily capture grayling. Rooster Tails, Panther Martins, Mepps and other small spinners are a good bet for fish-taking action. But grayling will also sip dry flies from the surface and crustaceans and small fresh-water shrimp below the surface, as well for those fly rod enthusiasts.
History in Utah
Grayling were stocked in some Uinta lakes many years ago, according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and have withheld their population without further stocking by way of natural reproduction. This is quite the success story for fish adaptation.
Where to go
Access to grayling in slightly used waters will take some hiking to accomplish. According to DWR, such Uinta lakes as Weir, Blue, Marjorie, Trial and Wall in the Provo River Drainage are good bets for success. The Weber Drainage has grayling in Fish, Round, and Sand lakes as well as Smith & Morehouse Reservoir. In the Bear Lake Drainage, try Whiskey Island Lake. Carolyn Lake in the Duchesne Drainage also contains grayling. Good maps for such trips into these often remote lakes and reservoirs are available from the U.S. Forest Service and DWR offices.
Fishing regulations
You’ll need to check the 2018 Utah Fishing Guidebook for fish limits in specific waters, although frequently you may keep four trout and grayling in combination. Brook trout are often found in the same waters with grayling and there’s a more liberal limit in some waters for keeping brookies. For some, brook trout may also be on your bucket list.
If you have some grayling tales to tell, please include them in the comment section for all of us to enjoy.
