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Utah · Fishing
Manila sits at the edge of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area in the Uinta Mountains of northeastern Utah, and it punches well above its weight as a fishing base camp.
12 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 12 spots
Manila sits at the edge of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area in the Uinta Mountains of northeastern Utah, and it punches well above its weight as a fishing base camp. The lakes and reservoirs within a short drive cover a real range of water types and access styles: Sheep Creek Lake and its nearby boat launch give you a straightforward put-in for trolling or casting from a kayak, while Lamb Lakes, Weyman Lakes, and Pollen Lake are the kind of smaller, quieter water where you can work a shoreline without fighting for space. Browne Lake Group Sites and Antelope Flat on the Ashley National Forest add more options if you want to spread out across a longer trip. Navajo Cliffs and Moose Pond along the Scenic Byway are worth stopping at even if you only have a few hours. Most of the fishing here is lake and reservoir fishing — still water, not moving water — so your approach and gear should reflect that. The area draws anglers from the Wasatch Front looking to escape the crowds, and the shoulder seasons in particular can be genuinely uncrowded. If you are driving up from Vernal or Rock Springs, Manila is the logical overnight stop before an early morning start.
The lakes and reservoirs in this area of the Ashley National Forest and Flaming Gorge NRA are known for supporting trout species typical of high-elevation Utah water, along with smallmouth bass and kokanee salmon in the larger reservoir sections. Sheep Creek Lake and the smaller alpine lakes like Lamb Lakes and Weyman Lakes tend to hold trout. Check the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources regulations for current stocking information and species-specific limits before your trip, as these can change season to season.
Ice-out on the smaller lakes like Pollen Lake and Lamb Lakes typically happens in late spring, often May into early June depending on the winter snowpack, and that early window before summer pressure builds is one of the better times to fish. Late August through October is another strong period when water temperatures cool and fish feed more actively ahead of winter. Midsummer can be productive early in the morning or in the evening, but midday fishing on smaller, shallower lakes tends to slow down.
Browne Lake Group Sites
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Trout Creek Guard Station
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Summit Springs Guard Station
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Stateline Cove Campground
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Navajo Cliffs
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Burnt Fork
~28 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Hideout Canyon Boat-In Campground
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Carter Military Trail Yurt
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Hoop Lake
~31 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Red Canyon (Ashley National Forest)
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Kabell Lake
~32 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Canyon Rim
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Shore fishing is realistic at most of the listed spots. Sheep Creek Lake, Lamb Lakes, Weyman Lakes, and Browne Lake Group Sites all have accessible shoreline where you can cast without a boat. The Sheep Creek Boat Launch Area is there if you want to bring a kayak, canoe, or small motorized craft for Flaming Gorge access. Hideout Canyon Boat-In Campground is the exception — that one requires a boat to reach, so plan accordingly if that is on your list.
For the smaller alpine lakes like Pollen Lake and Weyman Lakes, a light or ultralight spinning setup with 4 to 6 pound monofilament covers most situations. Small spinners, PowerBait, and small streamer flies under a bobber all work on still water trout. If you are fishing from a boat on larger water near Sheep Creek Boat Launch or Antelope Flat, a medium spinning or baitcasting rod for trolling with spoons or Rapalas gives you more range. Fly fishing is viable on the smaller lakes but is not the dominant approach here the way it would be on a river system.
A valid Utah fishing license is required for anyone 12 and older. Several of the lakes sit within the Ashley National Forest or the Flaming Gorge NRA, and some campground areas like Browne Lake Group Sites may require a reservation or day-use fee separate from your fishing license. Road conditions to the more remote lakes can be rough in early season or after rain, so check current conditions with the Ashley National Forest Vernal Ranger District before heading out to spots like Lamb Lakes or Weyman Lakes.
