Dugout Reservoir in San Juan County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Dugout Reservoir lies within the bounds of San Juan County, Utah. Height above sea level is 5,299 feet. The water covers some 31 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. It is among the larger waters listed here for San Juan County. Monticello lies 19 miles from the water. For a city, Provo is 186 miles off. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Dugout Reservoir

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. San Juan County records list rainbow trout, brook trout, green sunfish, black bullhead and brown trout among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Dugout Reservoir fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 27°F in January up to 73°F in July. The year turns gently, without extremes at either end. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Plan around that when you fish Dugout Reservoir. Early and late in the day beat the middle for most of the year.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Should this one be busy, Race Track Reservoir is 13 miles off. Confirm access to Dugout Reservoir locally before you travel.