Lake Mary in Salt Lake County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Salt Lake County end of Utah holds Lake Mary. Country round the bank runs to pine and birch. At 18 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. On our Salt Lake County list it sits near the top for size. For a base, Park City sits 6.2 miles out. The big place round here is West Jordan, 19 miles distant. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Lake Mary

  Our records hold no depth for this water. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Across Salt Lake County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, black-spotted cutthroat trout, brown trout and common carp. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Work Lake Mary in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 58°F for July and 21°F for December. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early May. Average temperatures cross freezing around early May in spring and again near mid November in autumn. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. It holds true on Lake Mary more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. You can camp about half a mile away, going by the mapping. A toilet block sits half a mile away. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Lake Martha sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Lake Mary are worth checking on the day.