Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Utah has expanded fish stocking since 1871, now operating 13 hatcheries statewide.
- A study highlights the importance of preserving access to fishing areas amid population growth.
- Adapting stocking practices helps manage fish populations and address climate change impacts.
SALT LAKE CITY — Stocking fish in Utah waterbodies dates back to 1871 when fish were transported from other states by train and were dropped into lakes along the route. In 1897, Utah opened its first hatcheries and started raising trout locally.
"These original hatcheries were really impounded streams where we put fry that we got from the federal government," said Craig Schaugaard, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources aquatic section assistant chief. "We opened our first traditional fish hatchery — where we produced our own eggs and used raceways like we have today — in Murray in 1899."
Since then, the division has expanded its operations to 13 hatcheries across the state, with construction on the new Loa site in central Utah on target to finish in 2027.
In 2024, DWR stocked 12.8 million fish in 722 Utah waterbodies — 11.1 million from state hatcheries. The others were transported from disease-free certified hatcheries across the U.S. That was an increase from the 10.6 million that the DWR stocked in 2023.
Keeping fishing accessible
Fishing is a billion-dollar recreational activity in Utah. According to a new study by the Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism at Utah State University, supported by DWR funding, preserving access to lakes, rivers and streams is critical to keeping Utah's fishing industry thriving.
The research looked at thousands of fishing trips made across Utah and found that factors like population growth and weather conditions significantly impact where people choose to fish and how much enjoyment they get from the experience.
Key findings in the study show that anglers prefer fishing in less populated areas and tend to avoid sites that feel overcrowded. For Utah's fishery managers, that means protecting access to waterways, especially in developing areas, could help prevent angler dissatisfaction and keep the experience enjoyable, per the study.
"By understanding how factors like population growth and climate changes affect angler choices, we can make strategic decisions to protect these recreational areas for future generations. This isn't just about conservation; it's about making sure fishing remains a valuable and accessible part of Utah's lifestyle," according to Jordan W. Smith, a lead researcher on the study.
As temperatures continue to rise due to climate change, fishing spots may also become less attractive for certain species, impacting angler satisfaction and participation, the study says.
Why Utah stocks lakes, rivers
The state hatcheries produce multiple strains of some species, and some of the fish are sterile (meaning they can't reproduce). Producing sterile fish is an important management tool that helps control fish populations in various waterbodies, according to the division.
The state stocks fish in waterbodies to enhance angling and boost native populations. The species of fish include several kinds of trout, largemouth bass, kokanee salmon, walleye and June sucker.
"Stocking is a crucial management tool that we use to provide Utahns with the numbers and species of fish they desire. Stocking fish helps create a better fishing experience and additional opportunities," Schaugaard said.
"Without stocking, fishing would be very limited. It also helps in the recovery of threatened or endangered fish. June suckers were downlisted from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2021 because of recovery efforts, which included stocking."
Adapting to weather, drought
Over the past few years, the DWR has made several changes to stocking in order to adapt to continually changing weather and drought conditions, including:
- Stocking fewer (but larger) fish, where needed, to increase their survival rate.
- Stocking more small fish in locations with higher growth rates.
- Stocking fewer fish in waterbodies with low water levels or that are projected to have low water levels during drought conditions.
- Evaluating the fish species stocked at drought-impacted waterbodies, including stocking more warm water fish species at certain sites.
- Changing the timing of when certain fish species are stocked to help minimize the potential impacts of warmer water.
