Utica Reservoir in Alpine County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Utica Reservoir is an Alpine County water, California side. It stands 6,824 feet above sea level. It measures about 210 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The outline measures near 4.3 miles, so local knowledge counts. It ranks high for size among our Alpine County listings. Arnold is the closest town at 23 miles. Buckhorn is 28 miles away, with Forest Meadows at 29 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Utica Reservoir

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. County-wide records name brook trout, rainbow trout, great basin cutthroat trout, cutthroat trout and tahoe sucker. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Utica Reservoir gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical August readings run about 60°F; by December the average is down near 28°F. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. At Utica Reservoir the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. You can launch from a ramp around half a mile away. There is camping recorded roughly 100 yards off. Mapping shows a picnic spot within half a mile. Public toilets are recorded roughly half a mile off. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Should this one be busy, Silver Creek is 0.7 miles off. Confirm before you fish Utica Reservoir.