EXPERIENCE JORDAN RIVER

Fishing

QUICK FACTS

Miles of Trails
0
Species of Birds
0
Regional Partners
0
Million Invested
0

The Jordan River winds from Utah Lake through the Salt Lake Valley toward the Great Salt Lake. It serves as a highly accessible, urban-adjacent water corridor for recreation, wildlife habitat, and fishing in many stretches.

Fishing along the Jordan offers a unique opportunity: anglers can access the water from public trails, parks, and multiple access points, without needing long travel. At the same time, the River and its corridor remain a key focus of conservation, habitat restoration, and water-quality improvement efforts led by the Jordan River Commission and its partners.

In a recent presentation by aquatic ecologist and member of the Commission’s Technical Advisory Committee, Dan Potts, over 30 fish species were identified in the Jordan River watershed. This diversity reflects both remnants of native fauna and a variety of introduced and stocked species. You can watch a recording of this presentation on our YouTube channel at the link below. 

June TAC Meeting – Fishes of the Jordan River

Fish Species & Ecology 

  • Native and historically native trout: The official state fish, Bonneville cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki utah), though uncommon, remains part of the River’s ecological legacy, particularly near tributary inlets. 
  • Stocked / introduced trout: The California rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Brown trout (Salmo trutta) are found in certain areas, especially near tributaries or where fishing destinations along the River are stocked for recreational fishing. Occasional presence of Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) has also been documented, typically under special circumstances (e.g., high runoff or external introduction). 
  • Common, widespread species: The Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is pervasive. By weight, carp account for a large portion of the fish biomass in the River. The Utah sucker (Catostomus ardens) also remains common throughout the Jordan River.
  • Other native or less common natives: These include species such as the Utah chub (Gila atraria), redside shiner, speckled dace (in upstream or less-impacted reaches), and occasionally the Mountain sucker, though they are less abundant.
  • June suckers: The once-native June sucker (Chasmistes liorus), historically associated with Utah Lake, is extremely rare in the River and federally protected; any occurrences of catching a June sucker require immediate release.
  • Catfishes and other introduced sport species: Species such as Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and Black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) are common, offering anglers reliable catches, especially in deeper pools and slower-flow areas.
  • Other fish: minnows, livebearers, bass relatives, and exotics. The fish community also includes minnows (e.g., fathead minnow, golden shiner), livebearers (e.g., western mosquitofish), and temperate bass species such as White bass, which are known to form schools in certain areas.

When fishing the Jordan River, anglers should observe practices that promote ecological health, public safety, and respectful use.

Environmental & Habitat Protection

  • Use trash receptacles and dedicated containers (including for spent fishing line). Litter and discarded lines can significantly harm wildlife and degrade water quality. If a trash receptacle is not immediately available, please pack out everything you packed in. 
  • Avoid fishing near densely vegetated areas where it is easy to catch your line and lose your hook. Abandoned hooks hanging from trees pose a significant risk to people recreating on the water. They are difficult for paddlers to see and have been known to cause injuries.
  • Stay on official trails or access routes to avoid trampling riparian vegetation or creating informal trails to the bank. Riparian buffers are essential for stabilizing banks, reducing erosion, filtering runoff, and supporting habitat. Additionally, conditions may be unsafe in unofficial access points. Dense stands of invasive trees, mats of phragmites, steep or eroded slopes, and other conditions can pose hidden dangers.
  • Be mindful of sensitive or restoration zones (especially near tributary inlets or tributary mouths). Avoid fishing or wading in areas actively managed for habitat restoration or species recovery.
  • Avoid disturbing known or potential spawning areas (e.g., near tributary junctions, slow-moving backwaters). Use access points in ways that minimize impact on those zones.

Safety, Access & Respect

  • Use only designated access points, fishing platforms, or properly stabilized banks. Avoid fishing from unstable banks, steep slopes, dense vegetation that can snag your line, or areas with poor footing.
  • Where present, respect safety infrastructure: non-slip surfaces, railings, signage, guardrails, hazard markers, flood markers, and notices about water-quality advisories (e.g., harmful algal blooms, pollution warnings, seasonal hazards).
  • Recognize that the Jordan River is a multi-use corridor. Many areas see walkers, cyclists, kayakers, and wildlife observers. Share the space, keep lines and gear controlled, and respect the rules.
  • If you are fishing for consumption, only do so in accordance with current water-quality advisories and public-health guidance. For many urbanized stretches, catch-and-release is advisable. Fish in the Lower Jordan River are typically not edible. See the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s Jordan River Recreational Monitoring or Jordan River Commission News for updates and advisories.

Which fish species are most common in the Jordan River?

The most abundant species by biomass is the common carp. Other common species include the Utah sucker and channel catfish. Many introduced species and stocked fish also contribute to the fish community. 

Are there native or historically native fish present?

Yes. Native and historically native species still present include the Bonneville cutthroat trout (rare), Utah sucker, Utah chub, redside shiner, and speckled dace (though often uncommon). Mountain sucker may appear in upstream reaches. 

Are there any protected or endangered species anglers should be aware of?

Yes. The June sucker, formerly native to Utah Lake and historically connected waterways, is federally protected; if caught, it must be released immediately. 

What kinds of fish can I realistically catch when I fish the Jordan?

Anglers frequently catch carp, channel catfish, black bullhead, white bass, and occasionally bass or stocked trout (depending on location and stocking schedule). Because of the variety of introduced species and stocking, the Jordan offers diverse, though often unpredictable, fishing opportunities. See the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ Fish Utah map.

Can I eat the fish I catch?

As water quality in many urban stretches of the Jordan River is impaired, many local fisheries biologists and the Jordan River Commission recommend catch-and-release. If consuming fish, consult current water-quality advisories and clean the fish thoroughly. Fish in the Lower Jordan River are typically not edible. See the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s Jordan River Recreational Monitoring or Jordan River Commission News for updates and advisories.

Why does the fish community include so many introduced or non-native species?

Over time, human activities, including intentional stocking, introductions, and escapes from hatcheries or private ponds, have significantly altered the fish community. Introduced species often thrive in altered, warm-water, or urbanized conditions where native species struggle. This is reflected in the high proportion of non-native fish in the River today.

Fishes of the Jordan River: Comprehensive species list and distribution in the River corridor. See our pages:

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR): For current fishing regulations, species protections (e.g., for June sucker), bait and possession rules, see the Utah Wildlife Resources’ Rules.

Utah Department of Environmental Quality: See the Jordan River Recreational Monitoring for updates and advisories related to water quality and fish edibility.

Jordan River Commission website: For updates on restoration zones, habitat projects, corridor improvements, and community-based stewardship efforts, see JordanRiverCommission.gov.

Local fishing reports and angler logs: For real-time catch reports, seasonal patterns, and access-point info, see the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ Fish Utah map.

Locations
This activity takes place at the locations included below. Please click on any of the links to get details and maps.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

VIEW MAPPED ACTIVITY LOCATIONS

Upcoming Fishing Events

Check back for events for this activity or visit the full events calendar.
See all events