Dirty Devil River

Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 7

The Dirty Devil River is an 80-mile tributary of the Colorado River located in south-central Utah, primarily in Garfield and Wayne Counties. The river earned its name when John Wesley Powell, during his historic exploration of the Colorado River, passed by the mouth of this stream. When asked if it was a trout stream, a boatman replied, "No she is a dirty devil," and the name stuck. With high salt content and rushing rapids, this remote waterway offers a unique fishing experience in a dramatic desert landscape characterized by towering canyon walls, side canyons, and stunning red rock formations. The Dirty Devil flows through some of Utah's most scenic and isolated terrain, including the Dirty Devil Canyon and River Basin, making it both a challenging and rewarding destination for adventurous anglers.

Utah licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Dirty Devil River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Burbot

Lota lota

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Dirty Devil River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Dirty Devil River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Utah licenses and regulations

Utah Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Utah Fishing License

If you’re 12 years of age or older, you must purchase a fishing license or a combination license to fish in Utah.

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Utah Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Utah Stream Access Laws

The law does not allow recreational water users (including anglers, kayakers, tubers, hunters and others) to walk on the private bed of a public waterbody. This means that if you are fishing or recreating in public water that flows over private property closed to trespass, you may not walk on the land beneath the water without obtaining landowner permission.

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Take Dirty Devil River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Dirty Devil River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Dirty Devil River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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