Fish Lake is one of the most popular and productive fisheries in southern Utah. It supports over 157,000 angler hours annually (2017 DWR Creel Survey) and there are three private resorts with public boat ramps and marinas located at the lake. The Forest Service operates several campgrounds, restrooms and parking areas along the lake shore. All of the Fish Lake basin is a very popular recreation area for local residents, as well as visitors from southern Utah, the Wasatch Front and out of state. In 2014 the Fish Lake Fishery Management Plan was written and approved, which outlined goals and objectives for the future management of the fishery and angling at Fish Lake. Goal # 3 is: "Create additional shoreline fishing areas for anglers." Specifically, the Management Plan recommends "constructing a pier at Fish Lake to increase opportunities for shore angling". Because there are dense weed beds along the shoreline surrounding all of Fish Lake, shore angling opportunities are very limited. Only about 40 yards of shoreline are fished where Twin Creeks runs into the lake and it is often overcrowded with no room for other anglers. Anglers that do not have a boat have very little opportunity to fish at Fish Lake. The DWR Southern Region, Fishlake National Forest, resort owners and many others, all believe the pier would be an excellent addition to facilities at Fish Lake and would be very well used. It is expected that on summer time weekends and holidays there would not be enough room on the pier for everybody that wants to fish there. Several thousand shore angler days annually could be added to Fish Lake. The fishing pier is just one part of a larger overall plan at Fish Lake to improve public facilities, add new facilities and amenities, attract additional anglers and improve the overall recreation experience for the public. Improvements that have been completed so far are: renovation and expansion of all three marinas at Fish Lake, new boardwalk along Twin Creeks for viewing spawning kokanee salmon, one new fish cleaning station; and the resorts have added new cabin rentals, hotel rooms and RV spaces. Other improvements that are occurring or planned for in the near future at Fish Lake include: Adding more docks and boat slips to the marinas, the Forest Service is upgrading and improving all of the campgrounds and amphitheater area, paving parking areas at the marinas, doing improvements and road paving to the Doctor Creek camping overflow and day use area, upgrades to the sewer system, building a hiking/biking trail above cabins along west side of lake, and improved road access around the south end of the lake. The fishing pier would be a permanent elevated structure extending past the weed beds to about 30' water depth, 140 feet long with a 100 feet T on the end and ADA accessible. The parking area would be expanded and another pit toilet installed. In 2020, Jones & DeMille Engineering completed engineering design and drawings for the pier and parking lot expansion and provided an opinion of estimated costs for construction. An underwater assessment of the lake bottom was also completed in order to know how to construct the pier supports. UDWR provided about $93,000.00 in funding for the engineering and other design needs. Costs have risen significantly since the estimated costs was written (e.g., steel prices have increased dramatically). We have revised the estimated cost for construction and it is reflected in the budget.

Construct a permanent fishing pier and expanded parking area. Increase angler use at Fish Lake by 2,000 anglers hours per year.

The pier could be damaged by ice or vandalism. No impact to fisheries, habitat or other ecological factors.

Meets goals and objectives in Fish Lake Fishery Management Plan, 2014, by increasing shore angling opportunities. Satisfies DWR Resource goal of meeting management plan objectives and expand quality fishing and hunting opportunities. Satisfies DWR Constituency goal to achieve broad-based support for division programs and budgets by demonstrating the value of wildlife to all citizens of Utah; and expand programs to recruit and retain young hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers. Meets recreational goals in the Fishlake National Forest Plan for meeting public recreation desires.

Not applicable

No changes to water quality or quantity.

The Fish Lake angling pier was analyzed and included in an EA issued from the Fishlake National Forest that was completed and approved in 2018. Construction can begin at any time. An ACOE 404 permit will be secured before construction begins.

The Utah Department of Facilities, Construction and Maintenance (DFCM) and the engineering company will over see construction of the pier. UDWR personnel will assist DFCM and help supervise construction. The public bid process will be used to hire a construction company. Steel pilings, filled with concrete, will be installed in the lake and steel support beams and concrete walkway will be constructed on the pilings. The walkway deck will be about 30" above high water elevation. Metal safety railings will surround the walkway. Electrical power will be installed to the pier to operate aerators or fans to circulate lake water around the pilings in order to keep the area ice free during winter and not have damage from ice. The total pier length is 140' long with a 100' long T on the end. Width varies from 6' to 10'. The parking area will be expanded by twice the existing size and an additional pit toilet added. A new trail from the parking lot to the pier and the pier design will be ADA compliant. If all funding is secured for FY24, then construction could begin in summer of 2023. If all funding is not secured in FY24 or other issues arise, then additional funding will be requested and secured in FY25 and construction will be in summer 2024.

Several times annually the pier will be inspected by the UDWR and maintenance completed as necessary. Sometime soon after construction, the UDWR will conduct an angler creel survey at Fish Lake that will determine the amount of use the pier receives.

Fishlake National Forest Utah Outdoor Recreation Program Private partners

The pier will be inspected and maintained annually by the UDWR with assistance from the Fishlake National Forest.

The fishery resource is more than adequate to handle additional fishing pressure.