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Utah · Fishing
Woodruff, Utah sits in the Bear River Valley at the northern edge of Rich County, and the fishing here is built around still water.
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Woodruff, Utah sits in the Bear River Valley at the northern edge of Rich County, and the fishing here is built around still water. The area's three reservoirs — Woodruff Reservoir, Suttons Reservoir, and Neponset Reservoir — are the main draw for anglers making the drive out, and Birch Creek, accessible from Birch Creek Campground, adds a small-stream option for those who want moving water. This is not a destination with a lot of foot traffic, which works in your favor. The reservoirs tend to fish well for warm-water and cold-water species depending on elevation and time of year, and the crowds you'd find at better-known Utah fisheries simply aren't here. Access is generally straightforward, though road conditions to some of these waters can be rough after spring runoff or early-season snow. If you're coming from outside Rich County, plan to be self-sufficient — services in Woodruff are limited, and the nearest tackle shop is a meaningful drive away. That said, for anglers who want quiet water, a campsite at Birch Creek, and a few days away from the pressure of more popular fisheries, Woodruff delivers without much fuss.
The reservoirs in the area — Woodruff Reservoir, Suttons Reservoir, and Neponset Reservoir — are stocked and managed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, which typically includes trout in these high-valley impoundments. Check the UDWR stocking reports before your trip since timing and species can vary year to year. Birch Creek is a smaller stream fishery and tends to hold smaller fish.
Late spring through early fall is the most productive window, generally May through September. Ice-off on the reservoirs can bring good early-season action, and summer mornings before the wind picks up are typically the most consistent. Avoid planning a trip in early spring without checking road conditions first, as access roads to some of these waters can be muddy or washed out.
Blacksmith Fork Guard Station
~57 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Neponset Reservoir
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Birch Creek Campground
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Suttons Reservoir
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Meeks Cabin
~1h 7m drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Woodruff Reservoir
~19 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Lyman Lake
~1h 11m drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Woodruff Narrows Reservoir
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Little Lyman Lake
~1h 11m drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Barker Reservoir
~29 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Tony Grove Lake
~1h 16m drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
Causey Reservoir
~34 min drive
A worthwhile stop near UT.
A light to medium spinning setup covers most situations on Woodruff Reservoir, Suttons Reservoir, and Neponset Reservoir. Small spinners, PowerBait, and worms are reliable producers on stocked trout water. If you have a small boat, kayak, or float tube, it's worth bringing one — bank access varies by reservoir and getting out on the water opens up more of the fishable area.
Birch Creek Campground is the most established camping option in the area and puts you right next to the creek fishery. For those fishing the reservoirs, dispersed camping may be available depending on the land management in the area, but confirm current rules with the USFS or BLM before assuming you can set up anywhere. Birch Creek Campground is a practical base if you want to fish multiple waters during a stay.
Yes, a valid Utah fishing license is required for anyone 12 and older. Regulations for specific waters — including any slot limits, gear restrictions, or seasonal closures — are set by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and can change annually. Pull up the current Utah Fishing Guidebook on the UDWR website before your trip and look up each water body by name to confirm the rules that apply.
