Fishing at Roberts Lake, Duchesne County, Utah

• Overview

  Out in Duchesne County, Utah, sits Roberts Lake. The water sits 11,575 feet up. At 22 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Compared with other Utah water on our list, it sits high. Some 35 miles away sits Roosevelt, the nearest settlement. Further out sit Ballard (37 miles) and Mountain View (37 miles). The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Roberts Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Species logged across Duchesne County include brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and Arctic grayling. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Roberts Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 52°F in July and bottom out at 17°F in December. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid June. The water is typically free of ice between mid June and early November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. That is the shape of the year on Roberts Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Nothing formal is recorded here: no ramp, no car park, no marked path. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Allen Lake at 1 mile is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Roberts Lake before loading the car.