Big Sand Wash Reservoir fishing

Big Sand Wash Reservoir fishing is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Brown Trout, Tiger Trout, and Cutbow on a reservoir. Also recorded: Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Largemouth Bass. It is stocked about 5.7 times a year since 2016, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, Tiger Trout, and Smallmouth Bass, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, and dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and Yellow Perch.

Big Sand Wash Reservoir
Photo: Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality, Public domain
Last stocked
October 28, 2026
· Cutbow
Plants on record
64
Since 2016
Species stocked
5 (+3 also recorded)
Average size
7.8 in
Elevation
5,886 ft

Fish at Big Sand Wash Reservoir

5 stocked · 3 confirmed present

Around the dates Big Sand Wash Reservoir is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 56.3°F in May, 45.2°F in April, 34.5°F in November, 70°F in June. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 47 plants · last May 21, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked May 21, 2026 · avg 9.5 in · 47 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide
Walleye Stocked · 10 plants · last July 16, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked July 16, 2026 · avg 1 in · 10 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Walleye species guide
Tiger Trout Stocked · 3 plants · last October 23, 2020 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked October 23, 2020 · avg 8.8 in · 3 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Tiger Trout species guide
Brown Trout Stocked · 2 plants · last June 28, 2017 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked June 28, 2017 · avg 2.8 in · 2 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brown Trout species guide
Cutbow Stocked · 1 plant · last October 29, 2025

Last stocked October 29, 2025 · avg 4.6 in · 1 plant

Cutbow species guide

Big Sand Wash Reservoir is a popular fishing destination, becoming more well-known locally and regionally. It supports species such as Rainbow Trout and Tiger Trout. A courtesy boat dock was installed on the main launch ramp to reduce the risk of boat damage and assist with loading and unloading due to fluctuating water levels. The reservoir is managed as a family-oriented fishery. (wri.utah.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)(wri.utah.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

How Big Sand Wash Reservoir is stocked

Source: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Starvation Reservoir (14.6 mi), Steinaker Reservoir (39.6 mi), and Hoop Lake (43.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Starvation Reservoir is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Steinaker Reservoir is also stocked with Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Tiger Trout, and Cutbow, and Hoop Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Tiger Trout.

Fish stocked in 2016

6,116,379

Fish stocked in 2017

207,384

Fish stocked in 2018

14,527

Fish stocked in 2019

110,196

Fish stocked in 2020

21,584

Fish stocked in 2021

11,463

Fish stocked in 2022

11,953

Fish stocked in 2023

11,676

Fish stocked in 2024

21,857

Fish stocked in 2025

20,495

Fish stocked in 2026

6,857

Stocking history

Source: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
October 28, 2026Cutbow3,7408.46 inreport
July 16, 2026Walleye4254.58 inreport
May 21, 2026Rainbow Trout40013.1 inreport
May 19, 2026Rainbow Trout94811.75 inreport
May 19, 2026Rainbow Trout94811.75 inreport
May 19, 2026Rainbow Trout94811.75 inreport
May 19, 2026Rainbow Trout94811.75 inreport
May 18, 2026Rainbow Trout1,12011.6 inreport
May 18, 2026Rainbow Trout1,12011.6 inreport
October 29, 2025Cutbow7,4534.55 inreport
June 1, 2025Rainbow Trout4,9139.6 inreport
May 24, 2025Rainbow Trout4,9609.69 inreport
May 17, 2025Rainbow Trout3,1699.54 inreport
November 18, 2024Rainbow Trout3154.15 inreport
November 18, 2024Rainbow Trout3,9774.56 inreport
November 18, 2024Rainbow Trout1,5624.82 inreport
November 14, 2024Rainbow Trout2,0009.79 inreport
May 18, 2024Rainbow Trout1,6819.41 inreport
May 18, 2024Rainbow Trout4,9609.41 inreport
May 10, 2024Rainbow Trout2,2269.4 inreport
May 10, 2024Rainbow Trout5,1369.4 inreport
November 10, 2023Rainbow Trout1,10010.95 inreport
May 9, 2023Rainbow Trout3,48811.18 inreport
May 2, 2023Rainbow Trout3,44010.89 inreport
May 2, 2023Rainbow Trout3,64810.68 inreport
November 1, 2022Rainbow Trout1,49911.76 inreport
May 25, 2022Rainbow Trout30611.71 inreport
April 20, 2022Rainbow Trout10,1488.59 inreport
November 2, 2021Rainbow Trout1,56310.11 inreport
March 23, 2021Rainbow Trout9,9007.89 inreport
October 23, 2020Tiger Trout1,9955.32 inreport
June 11, 2020Walleye3,3622.93 inreport
May 4, 2020Tiger Trout1,02010.72 inreport
May 4, 2020Rainbow Trout5,13610.97 inreport
May 4, 2020Rainbow Trout3,21010.97 inreport
April 26, 2020Rainbow Trout3,77210.71 inreport
April 24, 2020Rainbow Trout1,84010.71 inreport
April 22, 2020Rainbow Trout1,24910.53 inreport
May 15, 2019Tiger Trout1,00010.46 inreport
April 23, 2019Walleye25,0000.32 inreport
April 12, 2019Rainbow Trout3,49610.46 inreport
April 11, 2019Rainbow Trout4,14010.46 inreport
April 11, 2019Rainbow Trout3,68010.46 inreport
April 9, 2019Walleye69,2000.32 inreport
April 6, 2019Rainbow Trout3,68010.46 inreport
May 18, 2018Rainbow Trout5,7008.89 inreport
May 16, 2018Rainbow Trout6,3468.89 inreport
May 15, 2018Rainbow Trout2,4817.97 inreport
June 28, 2017Brown Trout7,9973.31 inreport
May 29, 2017Rainbow Trout3,4987.47 inreport
May 29, 2017Brown Trout2,5002.36 inreport
May 29, 2017Rainbow Trout3,4977 inreport
May 28, 2017Rainbow Trout2,00111.08 inreport
May 1, 2017Rainbow Trout9,1135.9 inreport
May 1, 2017Rainbow Trout4,6785.9 inreport
April 5, 2017Walleye174,1000.28 inreport
May 18, 2016Rainbow Trout4,2278 inreport
May 17, 2016Rainbow Trout4,7207.93 inreport
April 20, 2016Walleye1,517,6960.28 inreport
April 15, 2016Walleye1,247,9270.28 inreport
April 14, 2016Walleye2,428,9700.28 inreport
April 13, 2016Walleye406,4030.28 inreport
April 1, 2016Walleye500,9860.28 inreport
March 22, 2016Rainbow Trout5,4505.89 inreport

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Altonah
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, dock

Paved boat ramp on the reservoir's main launch has a movable steel courtesy dock (added 2016) that follows the water level, plus two vault-toilet angler access points on the east side. No overnight camping allowed. Near Altonah in Duchesne County.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources before you go.

About Big Sand Wash Reservoir

Anglers should be aware of littering and human waste, as the reservoir has been a party location with evidence of excessive drinking and drug use. Water levels fluctuate extensively due to irrigation drawdowns from summer into fall, impacting access. Risk of boat damage exists on the concrete launch ramp and cobble rock. (wri.utah.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)(wri.utah.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Big Sand Wash Reservoir has become very popular and they aim to manage it as a family-oriented fishery. Angler and boater access appears to be steadily increasing as the fishery becomes more well known. (wri.utah.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)(wri.utah.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

Photo of Big Sand Wash Reservoir
Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality, Public domain

Nearest lakes

Browns Draw Reservoir 10.4 mi last stocked May 29, 2026 Starvation Reservoir 14.6 mi last stocked September 20, 2026 Moon Lake 22.9 mi last stocked July 16, 2026 Steinaker Reservoir 39.6 mi last stocked September 30, 2026 Hoop Lake 43.5 mi last stocked September 14, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at Big Sand Wash Reservoir?

Fishing Big Sand Wash Reservoir usually means Rainbow Trout: Rainbow Trout accounts for 47 of 63 plants on record, ahead of Walleye and 3 more. Rainbow Trout was last stocked May 21, 2026, averaging 9.5 in. Walleye was last stocked July 16, 2026, averaging 1 in. Tiger Trout was last stocked October 23, 2020, averaging 8.8 in. Brown Trout was last stocked June 28, 2017, averaging 2.8 in. 1 more species is on the stocking report. Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Largemouth Bass are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Big Sand Wash Reservoir stocked?

Last stocked October 28, 2026. It is stocked about 5.7 times a year since 2016, most often in April and May.

How big are the fish stocked at Big Sand Wash Reservoir?

Stocked fish average 7.8 in. Rainbow Trout average 9.5 in. Walleye average 1 in. Tiger Trout average 8.8 in. Brown Trout average 2.8 in.

How do you get on Big Sand Wash Reservoir?

Shore fishing is available and there is a boat ramp. The nearest town is Altonah. Facilities include restrooms and dock. Paved boat ramp on the reservoir's main launch has a movable steel courtesy dock (added 2016) that follows the water level, plus two vault-toilet angler access points on the east side. No overnight camping allowed. Near Altonah in Duchesne County.

Which lakes near Big Sand Wash Reservoir were stocked more recently?

Starvation Reservoir (14.6 mi), Steinaker Reservoir (39.6 mi), and Hoop Lake (43.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Starvation Reservoir is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Steinaker Reservoir is also stocked with Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Tiger Trout, and Cutbow, and Hoop Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Tiger Trout.

Sources (5) +