DWR lifts fishing limits at Palisade Reservoir ahead of drainage

STERLING—Anglers at Palisade Reservoir will be allowed to keep an unlimited number of fish through Oct. 1 as the reservoir will be drained this summer for dam maintenance and repairs.

Drainage of the reservoir was already on the Utah Division of Natural Resource (DNR) schedule. But the agency said the drought, which has lowered the level of the lake, makes it advantageous to do the maintenance work as soon as possible.

Less water makes it easier, safer and cheaper to drain the reservoir completely, the agency said. Repairing the dam to prevent leaks ensures that all water in the reservoir, in drought and plentiful water years, can be saved for use.

The emergency fishing regulation, issued July 2 by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWS), increases the daily fishing limit to no limit for all fish species at the Sanpete County reservoir.

The emergency change was authorized by DWR Director Riley Peck as part of a broader effort affecting seven Utah waterbodies experiencing low water levels because of drought or construction projects.

“With the drought-related low water levels and construction causing other water level decreases, we want anglers to be able to harvest additional fish at these seven waterbodies, so they can be used and not wasted,” Peck said.

“We hope anglers can prioritize fishing at these waterbodies because increased harvest has proven successful for increasing the survival of the remaining fish in many of these fisheries in the past.”

The emergency fishing regulation for Palisade Reservoir will remain in effect through Oct. 1. All other regulations in the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook remain unchanged.