In the next few weeks I have some free time weekends that I would like to waste away in the Uintas. I have never fished to much up that way other then the lake off of Hwy 150 (Mirror, Lily, Whitney). I would like to get into some Brookies and Arctic Grayling if at all possible while I am up that way. So what lakes have good number of these species and where are they located, and what kind of access do they have. I have a canoe, and a small float tube. I will have my kids(9 and 5) with me so hiking will be limited to 1 or 2 mile max before I get the; Are we there yet[unimpressed], me feet hurt[unsure], I am hungry[:(], I’ve got to go #2[pirate]. All that fun stuff you dads understand.
Any help would be greatly appreciated…
Also does the North Slope (Marsh or Stateline) have Brookies of Greyling?
Most of the lakes along the highway have Brookies in them, but they are not real big. I have caught grayling out of Washington Lake and you can drive right to it. You take the same turnoff as you do for trial lake. Also, if you have a 4 wheel drive rig you could try the murdock basin. There are a couple of lakes but I have only fished Pyramid lake, again you can drive to it if you have a 4 wheel drive. There are bigger brookies in there, but I have never caught any grayling in that lake, but that doesn’t mean they are not in there. Go to Sportmans or Fish Tek and they have maps. On the back of the map there is a legend that will tell you what kind of fish are in the lake and if the fishing is considered good, fair, poor, excellent, etc. Hope that helps let me know if you have any other questions. I have fished all through that area. Some of the best fishing you can find is on the small streams with a fly rod.
Marsh, Stateline or even Bridger Lake will provide you plenty of nice Brookies, Cutts and even a Bow or two. All Three are pretty friendly for canoe or float tube, with Marsh actually being my favorite. It has two campgrounds on on the east and one on the west side of the lake. The Smiths Fork River wich runs between these lakes also offers real good fishing for smaller brooks and cutts. For Grayling the only place in this part of the Uintas that I have caught them is at the Red Castle Lakes but that is a 4 or 5 mile hike one way.
I hope this helps.
The best fishing that I have found for grayling is Marjorie. It is a 2.5 mile hike from the Crystal lake trailhead which is near Trial lake. It is a fairly easy hike (not very steep). Your boys should be able to make it if you take it easy. Lunkerhunter2 and I went in there last fall and caught quite a few grayling and a couple of nice brookies.
Thank you all for the information, I will see about getting a good map, put the truck in 4wd and break out the hiking boots. Fish beware I am coming for ya’[;)]…
By Highway 150 try Butterfly Lake or Lost Lake with the kids or tube.
If it’s grayling you want, hike into Round, Sand and Fish Lakes on the Weber drainage out of Holiday park. The kids won’t make this 5 mile steep hike.
I would try Alexander lake on Spring canyon road. You will definately need a float tube or other craft to get out in the fish zone but the brook trout are as big as any drive to Uinta lake. {Up to 2.5 pounds) Jig it! P.M. me.
I agree with Marjorie Lake but if you really want to get into some grayling you need to go to the Weber River drainage above Oakley into the Fish Lake loop. Those lakes are as full of grayling as it gets and the fishing is fast. Brook trout can be caught just about anywhere in the uintas. Near Marjorie Duck, Long, Island, all have nice brook trout and less than three miles in.