Drift Lake in Duchesne County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Within Duchesne County, Utah, you have Drift Lake. The bank gives way to pine and birch. Small at around 15 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is high ground by Utah standards. Duchesne lies 38 miles from the water. The nearest city of size is Provo, 70 miles away. This one is safely inside the county line. Around seven months of sub-zero averages set the rhythm of the year.

• Where to Fish on Drift Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Fish documented in Duchesne County include brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and Arctic grayling. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The shape of Drift Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 53°F; by December the average is down near 16°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Look for the thaw near early June; the fishing lifts straight after. In an average year the thaw lands around early June and the freeze near early November. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Plan around that when you fish Drift Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Bluebell Lake sits 0.5 miles off and takes the overflow. Nothing here settles the position at Drift Lake for certain.