Flaming Gorge First Visit

[Hail2dskins]

Just a few suggestions to build on what others have said.

Being Flaming Gorge is a National Recreation Area, and providing you don't have some type of Interagency Pass, you'll need a Recreation Pass to launch.  They can be purchased at local vendors or the US Forest Service office in Manila, or if you're going to just do daily passes ($5), they're also available at the fee tube at the top of the launch ramp.

If you launch or boat in Utah as a non-resident, you'll need to complete the Mussel Awareness Certification and purchase a $20 launch permit.  More information, the test, and the online purchase option, go to the following website.  You may also interact with an AIS specialist at the launch who will record your information, make sure you're displaying your certification and permit, and also adhering to the "removed bilge plug" rule. 

https://stdofthesea.utah.gov/

Finally, if you launch in Wyoming, you'll need to purchase the Wyoming Game and Fish (WGFD) AIS decal ($30) and have a mandatory boat inspection.  Anvil Draw, north of Manila, is the closest inspection location.  If you launch in Utah and boat into Wyoming, you don't need a WGFD mandatory inspection but you'll still need the AIS decal.  You can find out more information and purchase a decal at the following WGFD website.

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating...Prevention

Lastly, there's no longer reciprocity for non residents fishing Flaming Gorge, so you'll need the fishing license for the state you're fishing.  Neither state has a 2-pole permit, so no worries there, you can fish two poles per license in the open water.

In terms of fishing, you've selected some good areas.  A map is helpful, like the Flaming Gorge Reservoir Map by Fish-n-Map Co., but I also recommend Navionics or something of that nature to find lake trout haunts.  May is a good time to target lake trout, and you'll likely find fewer people on the lake, but June is also a good time and catch rates are usually a little higher.

Hope that helps and you have a great trip.  Ryno

Ryno,

Wow, thanks for taking the time to share all this information.  This is very helpful and makes my up coming trip much less stressful.

Thanks!!!