SALT LAKE CITY — Blue Ribbon Fisheries are waterbodies that provide some of Utah's most exceptional, high-quality fishing experiences. The program that designates and helps fund these fisheries recently allocated over $446,000 toward 13 projects aimed at enhancing these waterbodies so they remain outstanding places to fish.
There are currently 41 waterbodies, including two mountain areas in Utah — streams, rivers and lakes on the Uinta mountains and on Boulder Mountain — that hold this Blue Ribbon status. The Blue Ribbon Fisheries program was created in 2001 by then-Gov. Mike Leavitt, and was formally established in 2005 through an executive order by then-Gov. Jon Huntsman.
"The program was created because Utah's leaders recognized that fishing is one of the state's most popular and economically valuable recreational activities," Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick said. "There was a need to recognize the best angling opportunities in the state and to provide additional funding for further improvements to keep them at that level. This program helps fulfill those needs."
High-quality fishing waterbodies are only one important part of the Blue Ribbon Fisheries program, however. The program also allocates funds for improvements to help maintain that quality experience and to allow other waterbodies to reach or return to Blue Ribbon status once they are selected for the Blue Ribbon "potential" list. The advisory council selects improvement priorities and projects (such as habitat, access, etc.) for various waterbodies each year, and those projects are then funded by a portion of Utah's annual fishing license sales.
A total of 13 projects were selected by the Blue Ribbon Fisheries Advisory Council this year, and they will be completed throughout the 2026-27 fiscal year. Some of the highest-funded projects include:
- Central Region reservoir habitat enhancement: This project funds a partnership with Utah State Parks, Muskies Inc., and water users to install fish habitat structures into key locations at Jordanelle Reservoir. This work will help protect several fish species and improve the overall condition of the fishery. This project received $22,000 in funding from Blue Ribbon, in addition to funds from the Habitat Council and donations from Muskies, Inc.
- Starvation Reservoir angler access and fish habitat improvements: This project aims to improve fishing access at the reservoir's Freedom Bridge. The project also includes the installation of fish habitat structures in an area near the bridge. This project received $14,000 in funding from Blue Ribbon, in addition to funding from the Habitat Council.
- Panguitch Lake hypolimnetic siphon installation: This project will include the installation of a hypolimnetic drain, which will improve the water quality in Panguitch Lake. (It will also reduce the likelihood of future fish kills at the lake.) This project received $48,775 in funding from Blue Ribbon. It is part of a much larger project with funds also contributed from the Utah Division of Water Quality, the Utah Division of Water Resources, the U.S. Forest Service, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Habitat Council.
- Duchesne River bank restoration: This project includes the DWR partnering with a landowner to repair some of the concrete riprap that currently helps to stabilize the banks of the Duchesne River on his property. Repairing the bank stabilization structures will help improve the overall fish habitat through this Blue Ribbon section of the Duchesne River and will also provide safer access for anglers. This project received $63,522 in funding.
Last fiscal year, nine Blue Ribbon Fisheries projects and initiatives were funded and completed.
In order to be named a Blue Ribbon Fishery, a waterbody has to meet several requirements and provide highly satisfying fishing and recreational experiences for diverse groups of anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. The waterbodies are selected and reviewed by the Blue Ribbon Fisheries Advisory Council, which is a representative committee of 13 anglers appointed by the governor.
"These waters are among the best fishing spots in Utah. They provide not only great fishing, but also ideal habitat for the fish, economic benefits to the local communities, and an overall high-quality experience in the outdoors," Hedrick said. "They offer high fishing success rates — either through high catch rates or bigger fish — and usually have amenities like boat ramps and fishing piers."