Fish Lake with large white clouds reflecting off the lake

Fish Lake Recreation Area

2 Comments / Central Utah / By
Young boy sitting along rocky shore looking out over Fish Lake

Our new-found favorite Summer spot is Fish Lake Recreation area. At nearly 9,000 feet elevation you will find cooler temperatures, fishing, hiking, peace, serenity, and good food. You will want to call Fish Lake your Summer home. 

You will also find the world’s largest, most dense organism here- the Pando Aspen Grove located just 1 mile south of Fish Lake! 

What to do at Fish Lake

Pontoon boat steering wheel close up with lake blurred in the background.

Canoe, kayak, paddleboard, or rent a pontoon

Fish Lake is the perfect lake for any boat. Non Motorized and Motorized watercrafts are each great to take out on the lake. 

Back of pontoon looking out over lake with green lush mountain in the background.
Young boy wearing red life jacket looking out the back of a pontoon with the lake blurred in the background.
Fish lake and green mountains looking out over a pontoon.
Small child in blue life jacket looking out over the water from a pontoon. The lake is blurred in the background.
Young boy leaning against side of pontoon looking down at the lake below.
Small child in red life jacket perched up on seat of pontoon looking out over Fish Lake.
Large white clouds reflecting in the lake with mountains in the background.
Two children in life jackets sit on their knees on a pontoon looking out over the water.
Father driving a pontoon boat with son in a red life jacket in his lap looking out over the water.

You can rent boats and pontoons at either Fish Lake Resorts or Bowery Haven. We loved renting a 14- person pontoon from Bowery Haven on our most recent trip. Everything was perfect! The boat was in excellent condition. Those at the marina were very helpful pointing us to the part of the lake that had a lot of fish so the kids could be sure and catch some. 

Grandmother holding a fishing pole smiling on a pontoon on Fish Lake.

My mother-in-law has physical limitations. They were patient and helpful getting her on and off the pontoon. We mentioned that if we come back next year she may be in a wheel chair. They informed us they had ways to make it easier to get her on board. 

To rent a boat or pontoon check out the Bowery Haven website here. 

Go Fishing

Young boy in red life jacket on boat grinning at a fish he just caught.
Young boy holding a bunch of fish that were caught while standing on the marina.
Father holding a fish he caught with a proud smile. Fish lake is in the background.
Young boy on boat in red life jacket reeling in his fishing line.
Small girl kneeling on seat of pontoon holding a fishing pole. Mountains blurred in the background.

Fish lake is famous for its fishing. The lake is stocked by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. You will find Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Kokanee Salmon, and Perch. Perch is considered an invasive specie and so there is no limit.  

Take a Hike

A father and children hiking down a trail with Fish lake blurred in the background.

This isn’t Utah’s Trail Country for nothing! There are tons of trails that you and your family will love exploring. 

Lakeshore National Recreation Trail

The Lakeshore National Recreation trail is a beautiful trail that goes around Fish Lake. Section 1 of the trail is an easy 3 mile trail that follows the western shore from Lakeside Resort to Bowery Haven. Learn more here. 

Zedds Meadow

Mother holding 2 children in her lap in a meadow surrounded by yellow dandelions. They are looking out over a river smiling.

Just 10 miles north on FR640 is a hike that our 6 year old said is his favorite hike he has ever been on in his life! We cannot find any information online about the hike. Read our trail guide here.

We are assuming it is called Zedds Meadow Trail since it is marked as Zedds Meadow dispersed camping online. However, we like to call it, “Bob Ross Painting trail” because you feel like you are in a Bob Ross painting. Our 6 year old calls it, “Beaver trail” because of the incredible amounts of evidence of beavers along the trail.

Pelican Point

Sign pointing to a trail that says, Pelican Canyon 1 mile.
Young girl walking along mountainside among aspens and yellow wildflowers
Father carrying small child on his shoulders looking out over Fish Lake below.
Brother and sister sitting among yellow wildflowers looking out over the lake.
Small girl running down a trail with Fish Lake blurred in the background
Small girl looking out and pointing to lake below from trail along mountainside.

For stunning views of Fish Lake take segment 2 of the Lakeshore National Recreation Trail. You don’t even have to go all the way. Just go up however far you want to get sweeping views of the lake below. Learn more here. 

Bum Rock

Bum rock is a fun rock that looks like a bum. Someone vandalized it and painted a thong on it. This is just a fun little spot. You can find this rock just off Mytoge road. 

Go Geocaching

Children picking prizes from a plastic bag found at a Geo cache.
Three children and an adult holding a military box that holds a geo cache smiling at the camera with views of Fish Lake in the background.

There are several geocaches in the area. Our personal favorite was along the trail to Pelican Point because of the phenomenal views of Fish Lake. Learn more about geocaching here . 

Day-use

This is also a beautiful spot if you just want to head up for a picnic for the day. There are many picnic areas around the lake. 

Where to Stay at Fish Lake

Duplex cabin among trees in the mountains.

There are numerous campgrounds in the Fish Lake National Forest. You will find 29 developed campgrounds and 9 undeveloped campgrounds here. Get the full list here . 

While there are numerous dispersed camping spots in the Fish Lake National Forest  you can only camp in designated campgrounds within the Fish Lake Recreation area itself. This area encompasses directly around Fish Lake. You will see marked signs to guide where the recreation area begins & ends. 

If camping isn’t your thing you basically have two options for lodging at Fish Lake. There is Fish Lake Resort which has the Lakeside Resort and Fish lake Lodge. There is also Bowery Haven. Our personal favorite is Bowery Haven. 

We like Bowery Haven for its upkeep and atmosphere. They recently remodeled the Motel so that is is completely brand new inside. Bedding in all cabins are brand new as of the 2021 season too. 

There are several options to choose from. From an RV pad, primitive cabins,  cabins, and large cabins that fit large groups. 

Close up of wheel chair accessible cabin among aspen trees.

On our recent stay we stayed in 9a & 9b duplex because they were slightly bigger to fit our family needs. They were also wheel chair accessible which we needed. We were pleasantly surprised at how large and well kept these units were. 

Learn more and book your stay at Bowery Haven here. 

Where to eat at Fish Lake

Close up of a hamburger with Mack Attack's Burger Shack blurred in the background.

Restaurants are limited. Again you have 2 options: Fish Lake Resort or Bowery Haven. 

Close up of an open faced bacon cheeseburger, fries, and fry sauce.

We cannot say enough good things about Bowery Haven’s Mack Attack Burger Shack! 

The hamburgers are amazingly fresh! The buns are homemade. Many in our group also loved the chicken sandwich. They said the piece of chicken was so large that it reminded them of a chicken fried steak. 

Be sure and grab an ice cream cone while you are there! 

When to visit Fish Lake

Since this is a high alpine lake the season is limited to May-September. May & June can still be a little chilly so pack accordingly. The best time to visit is July-August. 

How to get to Fish Lake

Fish Lake Recreation Area is located in the Fish Lake National Forest in Sevier County.

Happy Trails

Fish lake is everything that is good about Summer. The perfect spot for the family to visit each Summer. This is a must stop on your next visit to Utah’s Trail Country. Happy trails to Fish Lake Recreation Area until we meet again! 

2 thoughts on “Fish Lake Recreation Area”

  1. Pingback: Zedds Meadow - Utah Mountain Mama

  2. Pingback: Sevier County Top 5 - Utah Mountain Mama

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