Duchesne River
Fly fishing the Duchesne River in Utah means freestone water on the south slope of the Uintas with cutthroat, brook and tiger trout.
- 181 miRiver length
- 4Game fish
- 49Access points
In the FlyFishFinder appAbout the Duchesne
The Duchesne River drains the south slope of the Uinta Mountains in northeast Utah. It forms from several forks near Duchesne and Tabiona and runs about 181 miles. The river is a freestone with a mix of public easements and private land.
Brook trout, cutthroat trout, Colorado River cutthroat trout and tiger trout live here. The West Fork, North Fork and main Duchesne have public angler easements from the Central Utah Project, and Highway 35 has designated parking areas. Rock Creek, the Strawberry River and the Whiterocks River are nearby.
Summer is the main season. Yellow sallies, green drakes, brown drakes, pale morning duns, caddis and hoppers all matter. Expect company during the big hatches. A Utah fishing license and day use pass may be needed for Forest Service water.
Large sections cross private land and some water is on Ute tribal land that requires a separate permit. Wildfire closures can also affect access. Check the current Utah Division of Wildlife Resources regulations and closures.
Duchesne River near Tabiona, UT
Is the Duchesne fishing today?
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Nearby gages
- Strawberry River near Duchesne, UT14.9 mi away 98 cfs Above normal 5.66 ft USGS 09288180
- Yellowstone River near Altonah, UT15.5 mi away 194 cfs Above normal 1.53 ft USGS 09292500
- Yellowstone River @ Bridge Cmpgrnd near Altonah, UT17.8 mi away 186 cfs Above normal 6.05 ft USGS 09292000
- Rock Creek near Mountain Home, UT19.1 mi away 69 cfs Above normal 2.05 ft USGS 09279000
- Strawberry River at Pinnacles near Fruitland, UT24.3 mi away 28 cfs Below normal 1.83 ft USGS 09285900
- Whiterocks River near Whiterocks, UT29.8 mi away 189 cfs Above normal 2.67 ft USGS 09299500
- Currant Creek near Fruitland, UT30.9 mi away 27 cfs Normal 1.44 ft USGS 09288000
- Green River at Ouray, Utah37.4 mi away 2,640 cfs Above normal 16.56 ft USGS 09272400
No gages that close. Try a wider radius.
See every gage on the map and today's top 10 rivers in the free appData from the U.S. Geological Survey. Recent readings are provisional and may be revised.
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Hatching in November
What's on the water in the Lower Green watershed this month, and the fly to match.
All 11 hatches this year
Light bars show the season and dark bars the peak. The ringed month is this month.
Tips for fishing the Duchesne
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Stay on public easements
Large stretches are private. Look for easement signs and designated parking.
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Check tribal land rules
Some nearby water is on Ute tribal land and needs a permit.
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Check closures
Fire closures can shut down access. Confirm with the ranger district.
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Plan around hatches
The big summer hatches draw crowds. Weekdays are quieter.
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Use the app for access
The FlyFishFinder app maps public access points on the Duchesne and its forks so you know where you can fish.
Every access point on the Duchesne, in your pocket.
- 49 mapped access points, with parking and put-ins
- Today's Fishability score, so you fish the day that lines up
- 7-day flow and water-temp trends for every gauge on the river
Rivers near the Duchesne
Duchesne River FAQ
When is the best time to fish the Duchesne River in Utah?
Summer is the main season, with yellow sallies, drakes and hoppers.
Where can I fish the Duchesne River?
Public easements on the West Fork, North Fork and main Duchesne, plus parking along Highway 35.
Can you wade the Duchesne River?
Yes. It is a freestone river wadeable in many places, but mind private land.
What flies work on the Duchesne River?
Yellow sallies, hoppers, green drakes, brown drakes and pale morning duns are all local favorites. The FlyFishFinder app shows what is hatching and working today.
What fish are in the Duchesne River?
Brook trout, cutthroat trout, Colorado River cutthroat trout and tiger trout.
Are there special rules on the Duchesne River?
Rules and permits vary, especially near tribal land. Check the current Utah Division of Wildlife Resources regulations.
