Flaming Gorge Reservoir
lake in Utah
Fed by the Green River and straddling the UT/WY border; offers both bank and boat access with strong populations of large rainbows and browns.
River flow last 30 days
Burbot are active in cooler fall water
- 01Burbot are active in cooler fall water.
- 02Focus on deeper sections of the reservoir.
- 03Kokanee salmon spawning provides an excellent food source (eggs).
- 04Mysis shrimp and leech patterns are consistent producers.
Past reports week by week
12 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Mysis Shrimp
Mysis shrimp are a consistent and abundant food source in large reservoirs like Flaming Gorge, effective year-round for subsurface feeding.
Buy at AmazonChironomid Pupa (Black)
Chironomids are a consistent, year-round food source in lakes, and Burbot will readily feed on these subsurface pupae.
Blood Dot Egg
Burbot are known to feed on salmon eggs, and Kokanee salmon typically spawn in fall, making egg patterns highly effective.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Black/Olive)
A versatile streamer imitating leeches and baitfish, excellent for enticing aggressive strikes from predatory fish like Burbot in colder fall waters.
Scud (Pink/Orange)
Freshwater shrimp (scuds) are a consistent food source in reservoirs with aquatic vegetation, making this a reliable subsurface pattern for Burbot.
Buy at AmazonPine Squirrel Leech (Black/Olive)
Small leech patterns effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cold water, triggering strikes from larger, lethargic Burbot.
Crayfish (Fly) (Olive/Rust)
Crayfish are a primary food source for many bottom-dwelling predatory fish, and Burbot will actively feed on them in rocky areas during fall.
Balanced Leech (Black)
Leeches are a staple forage for predatory fish, including Burbot, in stillwaters year-round, best fished slowly near the bottom.
Where to fish and who to ask
Dutch John Marina
Main launching point and service hub for boat-based fly fishing; good access to both eastern and western arms.
Red Canyon / Manila Bay
Less pressured coves with structure that hold larger trout—best approached by boat or by longer bank hikes.
Sheep Creek Bay
Popular bank and boat fishing area for both subsurface tactics and streamer fishing along rocky points.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Flaming Gorge Resort Fly & Tackle Shop
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Utah season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Quick answers
Common questions about Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
What flies work best on Flaming Gorge Reservoir?
Our top scored fly patterns for Flaming Gorge Reservoir right now are Mysis Shrimp (80% confidence), Chironomid Pupa (Black) (80% confidence), Blood Dot Egg (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Flaming Gorge Reservoir?
Flaming Gorge Reservoir holds Burbot. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Flaming Gorge Reservoir fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Flaming Gorge Reservoir each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.