Fishing at Henningson Reservoir, Sanpete County, Utah

• Overview

  Out in Sanpete County, Utah, sits Henningson Reservoir. The water sits 10,023 feet up. Around 26 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Manti lies 17 miles from the water. Centerfield follows at 18 miles, then Gunnison at 19 miles. Alternatives close at hand: 0.6 miles out stands Blue Lake, Island Lake about 1.2 miles, 1.2 miles out stands Emerald Lake, Julius Flat Reservoir about 2.2 miles and 2.6 miles out stands Slide Lake. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Henningson Reservoir

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Open biodiversity records for Sanpete County list rainbow trout, brown trout and Atlantic salmon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Henningson Reservoir repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 58°F at the top of summer and 20°F at the bottom of winter. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Once it clears, about early May, the fishing comes on quickly. Averages place the thaw at early May and the freeze at mid November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Henningson Reservoir fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Blue Lake at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Signs at Henningson Reservoir carry more weight than any list.