Fishing Kidney Lake in Duchesne County, Utah

• Overview

  Kidney Lake is one of the Duchesne County listings for Utah. The water sits 10,282 feet up. With some 189 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The whole outline is near 2.8 miles, and most of it is walkable. On our Duchesne County list it sits near the top for size. The nearest town is Duchesne, 32 miles away. Further out sit Francis (35 miles) and Kamas (35 miles). The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Kidney Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Duchesne County records list brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout among the fish reported. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Work Kidney Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 18°F in December up to 54°F in July. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early June. The water is typically free of ice between early June and mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. At Kidney Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Failing this one, try Lily Pad Lake, 0.5 miles away. Check the position on Kidney Lake before loading the car.