About Otter Creek Reservoir
Otter Creek Reservoir is located in south-central Utah near the small town of Antimony, in Piute County. Surrounded by sagebrush-covered hills and the mountains of the Sevier Plateau, it offers a mix of fishing, boating, camping, and outdoor recreation.
The reservoir is known for its trout fishing, but rainbow trout aren't the only fish worth pursuing. Brown trout, cutthroat trout, smallmouth bass, and wipers provide anglers with several different options. Whether you're casting from shore, trolling from a boat, or working rocky points for bass, there are plenty of ways to spend a day on the water.
At full capacity, Otter Creek covers approximately 3,120 acres. However, water levels can fluctuate considerably, especially during drought years. When the reservoir drops, familiar shorelines can become broad stretches of exposed lakebed, boat launches can become difficult to use, and underwater obstacles may become navigation hazards.
Otter Creek is also a destination for camping, wildlife watching, and off-highway vehicle riding. The Paiute ATV Trail system is nearby, and the reservoir's location makes it a useful base for exploring this part of southern Utah.
History of Otter Creek Reservoir
Otter Creek Reservoir has a history that goes back to the late 1800s. In the fall of 1897, local farmers began building a dam to create a dependable source of irrigation water for the surrounding agricultural communities.
The project was not an easy undertaking. The local farmers had experience constructing irrigation canals but little knowledge of building a large dam. They initially lacked the financial assistance needed to complete the project, so construction began with local volunteers and homemade equipment.
Robert Dixon Young was appointed to supervise the work despite having no previous dam-building experience. Financial assistance and proper equipment eventually became available, and the original dam was completed. The dam was about 40 feet high and was considered an impressive engineering achievement for its time.
The reservoir eventually became known for its fishing as well as its agricultural importance. Otter Creek State Park opened in 1965, adding developed recreation facilities to the southern end of the reservoir.
Today, the reservoir serves several purposes. It provides irrigation storage, supports a popular fishery, and offers opportunities for boating, camping, and other outdoor activities.
Fish Species
Otter Creek Reservoir supports several sportfish species, making it a good destination for anglers who like to change tactics throughout the day.
Rainbow Trout
Rainbow trout are one of the reservoir's primary attractions. They can be caught from shore or by boat, and anglers use a variety of methods, including trolling, casting lures, and fishing bait near the bottom.
Stocking has helped support the trout fishery, although the reservoir's changing water levels can affect fish survival and overall fishing conditions.
Cutthroat Trout
Cutthroat trout provide another option for anglers looking for a trout with a little different appearance and behavior. They can be caught using techniques similar to those used for rainbow trout, including trolling, casting small lures, and fishing flies.
If you catch a cutthroat, take a moment to identify it correctly before deciding whether to keep it. Trout identification and special size restrictions can matter under Utah regulations.
Brown Trout
Brown trout are another species found in Otter Creek Reservoir. They can be more challenging to catch than recently stocked rainbow trout, particularly when targeting larger fish.
Try working rocky shorelines, points, and drop-offs with small fish-imitating lures or other presentations suited to the conditions. Browns may also respond to bait or flies, depending on where they are feeding.
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass provide a change of pace from trout fishing. They are often associated with rocky structure, points, and submerged features where they can ambush crayfish and small fish.
Try small jigs, soft plastic crawfish imitations, tubes, and other lures that can be worked close to the bottom. A rocky shoreline or point is a good place to begin searching.
Wipers
Wipers, a hybrid between striped bass and white bass, are also found in Otter Creek Reservoir. They are powerful fish that can provide a memorable fight when they are feeding actively.
Look for signs of baitfish near the surface, including small fish scattering or birds concentrating over a particular area. Spoons, crankbaits, and other lures that imitate baitfish can be productive when wipers are chasing schools of prey.
The mix of trout, bass, and wipers gives Otter Creek a broader appeal than a fishery focused on just one species.
Facilities and Amenities
Otter Creek has both developed recreation facilities and more primitive camping areas.
Otter Creek State Park
The state park at the southern end of the reservoir provides the most developed facilities. Depending on the season and current operating conditions, amenities include:
Boat launch
Campground with tent and RV sites
Sites with electrical and water hookups
Cabins
Restrooms and hot showers
Drinking water
Picnic tables and fire rings
Fish-cleaning facilities
Day-use and beach areas
Dump station
The campground is a convenient option for anglers who want to spend more than one day fishing. Staying overnight also gives you the opportunity to fish early in the morning and again in the evening without having to drive home between sessions.
Bureau of Land Management Recreation Sites
The BLM manages additional access and recreation sites along the western side of the reservoir, including Tamarisk Point and South Point. These areas provide fishing access and opportunities for more primitive camping.
Facilities vary by site, but may include picnic tables and pit toilets. Potable water is not available at the primitive BLM sites, so bring what you need.
The surrounding area also offers access to the Paiute ATV Trail system, making Otter Creek a useful destination for people who want to combine fishing with exploring the surrounding country.
Check the Utah State Parks website and BLM recreation information before your trip for current access, facilities, and operating conditions.
How to Fish Otter Creek Reservoir
Otter Creek offers several fishing opportunities, and the best approach depends on the species you're targeting, the season, and the current water level.
Shore Fishing
Shore fishing is a good option if you don't have a boat. Look for points, rocky banks, and areas where the bottom drops into deeper water. These features can attract trout and bass, especially when fish are moving along the shoreline in search of food.
For trout, try fishing a worm or prepared trout bait near the bottom. Small spinners and spoons are also worth trying when fish are actively feeding.
The reservoir's changing water level can make a big difference in shoreline access. A spot that was productive in a previous year may be far from the water during a drought, so be prepared to explore.
Trolling for Trout
Trolling is a popular way to search for trout across a large reservoir. Small spoons, spinners, and other trout lures can be effective when pulled behind a boat at a controlled speed.
Start by working different depths and watching your electronics if you have them. Trout may be shallow during cooler periods or move deeper as the water warms.
If you're catching fish consistently at a particular depth, repeat that pattern before changing everything. When the bite slows, try a different speed, lure, or depth.
Fishing with Bait
Worms and prepared trout baits are useful options for anglers fishing from shore or a stationary boat. Use a simple rig and allow the bait to sit where trout are likely to find it.
Bait fishing is particularly approachable for beginners, although it can be less effective when fish are actively chasing baitfish away from the bottom.
Always check the current regulations for permitted bait and fishing methods before heading out.
Fishing for Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass fishing is a good reason to bring a few lures beyond your usual trout tackle. Rocky points and submerged structure are worth exploring with soft plastic tubes, jigs, and crawfish imitations.
Cast close to the structure and allow your lure to sink. Work it slowly along the bottom, pausing occasionally. Smallmouth bass often strike as a lure falls or moves away from a rock or ledge.
If you're fishing from a boat, use your electronics to identify underwater structure and changes in depth. If you're on shore, concentrate on rocky points and banks that give you access to deeper water.
Fishing for Wipers
When wipers are feeding on schools of baitfish, they can offer fast action. Look for surface activity or birds working over the water, then cast spoons or baitfish-imitating lures into the area.
Wipers can move quickly, so don't be surprised if the action disappears almost as soon as it begins. If you find a school, be ready to make repeated casts while the fish are feeding.
Best Time to Fish
Otter Creek can offer fishing opportunities throughout the year, but seasonal conditions influence both fish behavior and access.
Spring: Cooler water and active trout can make spring a productive time to fish. Shore anglers may find fish moving into accessible areas, while boat anglers can search a variety of depths.
Summer: Early mornings and evenings are often good times to fish. During hot weather, trout may move deeper or become less active during the middle of the day. Bass and wipers can provide additional opportunities.
Fall: Cooler temperatures can improve trout activity, and fall can be an excellent time to spend a few days at the reservoir. Check the rules for any species-specific restrictions before keeping fish.
Winter: Fishing may continue through the colder months when conditions allow, but weather, ice, access, and boat-launch availability can limit your options. Never assume the reservoir is safe for ice fishing just because temperatures have dropped.
Before planning a trip, check current conditions. Water levels at Otter Creek can change dramatically, and a low reservoir can expose new hazards and affect boat access.
Fishing and Water Conditions
Water level is one of the most important things to consider when planning a trip to Otter Creek Reservoir. During drought conditions, the reservoir can shrink considerably, changing the location of the shoreline and concentrating fish in the remaining water.
Low water can also expose rocks and other underwater obstacles that are normally submerged. If you're boating, reduce your speed in unfamiliar areas and pay attention to navigation hazards.
You can find updates on the Otter Creek Reservoir water-quality monitoring page.
Regulations
Otter Creek Reservoir is subject to Utah fishing regulations, and special rules or emergency changes may be issued when conditions require them.
Daily limits, size restrictions, and permitted fishing methods can change, so check the current Utah Fishing Guidebook before your trip. Do not rely on an older article or a previous year's limits, especially when the reservoir is experiencing drought-related changes.
If you plan to fish for multiple species, make sure you understand the rules for trout, bass, and wipers before keeping your catch.
Final Thoughts
Otter Creek Reservoir is one of southern Utah's versatile outdoor destinations. Its history as an irrigation project, reputation for trout fishing, opportunities for bass and wipers, and combination of developed and primitive camping areas give it plenty to offer.
It can be a place to spend a morning trolling for trout, work rocky shorelines for smallmouth bass, or set up camp and enjoy several days exploring the area. The nearby mountains and ATV trails provide plenty to do when you're ready to put the fishing rods away.
Just remember that Otter Creek can change dramatically with water levels. Check the latest conditions, plan your access accordingly, and be cautious around newly exposed hazards. With a little preparation, it can be a rewarding destination for a southern Utah fishing trip.
Location and Directions
Otter Creek Reservoir is located near Antimony, Utah, in Piute County. It is roughly 20 miles southeast of Richfield, depending on your route and destination around the reservoir.
From Richfield, travel south on US-89 toward Junction. Follow the signs toward Antimony and Otter Creek State Park. The state park is located at the southern end of the reservoir, while additional fishing and camping access is available along the western and eastern shorelines.
View Otter Creek Reservoir on Google Maps
There are several places to access the water, including the developed state park and more primitive recreation sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management. If you're planning to launch a boat, check the current water level and ramp conditions before making the trip.
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