Fish, Fun and Prizes
We want you to get out and enjoy yourself fishing at Utah Lake. This isn’t your typical fishing tournament; we like to think of it as a fishing challenge. It doesn’t matter if it’s on the ice or from the shore, a boat, or a dock or jetty. Catch a fish, take a photo, repeat. You’ll have some fun, stay safe, learn a little about Utah Lake, and maybe win a prize!
Click the links below to jump to the section you want to read:
The Quick Version
Who
Anglers! Anyone interested in fishing and Utah Lake.
What
A fishing challenge. You catch fish at Utah Lake, take photos, and submit for a chance to win prizes. All while having fun, learning about Utah Lake and spending time outside.
Where
This challenge is only for Utah Lake (and the mouths of its tributaries). You can fish anywhere at the lake (fees may apply if you go to one of the marinas); any of the 27 public access points offer great fishing access.
When
The event runs January 21–29. Any time or day you want to go fishing during that period, as many times as you want.
Why
We want you to get out and enjoy yourself fishing at Utah Lake and learn a little more about the lake as you do.
What’s in It for Me?
Prizes! We know that’s what you’re interested in. 😉 You also get to spend time outside, maybe learn a new skill, learn more about Utah Lake, and challenge yourself with new angling goals (how many different species can you catch at the lake during the challenge?)
STAY SAFE
No ice is safe ice. For this challenge, you can fish from the ice or from land (shore, dock, jetty), or if the water is open, you can even fish from a boat. Make sure you check ice conditions before you go out.
HAVE FUN
There’s great fishing year-round at Utah Lake, with a variety of species too. This Fish Fest is not a competition, even if there are prizes. The point is to learn about the lake, have some fun, and make some good memories….and maybe win prize. 🙂
OBEY THE RULES
As you go fishing, make sure to follow ice safety recommendations, obey state fishing regulations and the Fish Fest rules. The Fish Fest rules are CRUCIAL to understanding how to participate in the challenge.
Registration
Steps to get started:
- Read the Fish Fest rules.
- Click the “Register Now” button to sign up.
- On January 21, each angler registered will receive an Angler Identifier Card, per the challenge rules, as well as the link for submitting photos to the drawing.
There will be additional emails sent out during the duration of the contest with relevant and helpful information.
Prizes
Prizes are the best, right?! Thanks to Al’s Sporting Goods for partnering with us on these prizes. Winners from the raffle and additional categories will get to choose from the prize packages below.
Choices available while supplies last.
- Eskimo 6′ hand auger
- Ugly Stick Elite ice rod/reel
- V-ice rod holder
- Jigging JawJacker Base
- 13 Fishing Descent ice reel
- Loon Outdoors rectractor
- Eskimo ice chair
- JawJacker
- Rapala filet knife with sheath and sharpener
Workshops
NEW THIS YEAR! Exclusively for Fish Fest participants, the Utah Lake Commission will be offering a series of four educational workshops during the challenge. All the workshops will be hosted on Zoom, with livestream to our Utah Lake Commission YouTube channel as well, with the recording of the workshop posted to the ULC YouTube channel afterwards. We are still working out a few details, so stay tuned for updates.
Here is the Zoom info:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81173135611?pwd=RXd3L00wbnhSd2JHTk1XeGNRQ1d0Zz09
Meeting ID: 811 7313 5611
Passcode: 489009
One tap mobile
+17207072699,,81173135611#,,,,489009# US (Denver) +12532158782,,81173135611#,,,,489009# US (Tacoma)
All workshops will use the same Zoom link.
Tentative Workshop Schedule
January 21 @ 7pm — Welcome and Introductions – Sam Braegger (Utah Lake Commission) and Michael Packer (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
In this presentation, we will go over how the Fish Fest challenge works, rules, tips on where to find fish, etc. We will also have a Q&A for any questions about the event.
January 22 @ 9am — Basics of Ice Fishing – Payton Skidmore (Skiddy Fishing)
An introduction to ice fishing. Equipment, bait, locations, etc. will all be covered for ice fishing beginners and anyone else who is interested.
January 25 @ 7pm — Utah Lake: Past, Present and Future – Utah Lake Commission Staff
Curious about Utah Lake? Heard a rumor recently or grew up hearing bad things about it? ULC staff will be sharing about the history of the lake, what’s going on today (**spoiler** new amenities and improved access coming!) and where Utah Lake is headed in the future. Listen in and ask those burning questions.
January 27 @ 7pm — June Sucker: History of Recovery and Current Efforts – Russ Franklin (June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program)
The June sucker is native to only Utah Lake, and it has played a crucial role in helping the lake recover. Listen in to learn about the history of the recovery efforts, successes, and where the program is headed currently.
Partners and Sponsors
Thank you to our partners and sponsors! This event would not be possible without their help.
FAQs
How much does it cost?
The Winter Fish Fest is FREE to participate in the challenge. However, if you choose to visit paid access points at Utah Lake, entrance fees are still required. For a map of all 27 public access points at the lake, visit our Access Points page. Just these access points charge an entrance fee: American Fork Marina, Lindon Marina, and Utah Lake State Park.
Where can I fish to qualify?
Generally speaking, anywhere on the lake proper as well as the mouths of the major tributaries. For more specific details, check out the Winter Fish Fest boundaries map.
How do I submit my photos of the fish I caught?
The submission form will be sent out to all registered anglers on January 21st. The form includes instructions on where you submit your photos for the various prize categories.
How do I register for the challenge?
Visit the Registration section on this page for more details.
Wow
I registered myself and son Nathan and Daughter Katie Barr…, but when I use the link I can’t find a spot to differentiate who caught the fish… they are 5 and 7 so they don’t have email addresses so I was trying to do it under mine… but I’m not doing it right in certain.
Brandon,
Thanks for reaching out. We updated the submissions form so you can put the name of which child caught the fish. Thanks for giving us the idea!
I signed up yesterday but don’t know where to get my angler identification card. Where can I find that?
Elisha,
Thanks for reaching out. Not sure what glitch happened, so sorry to hear you hadn’t received your AIC yet. We just sent you the AIC and all the welcome information you need to get started. Best of luck!