The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, in partnership with Vernal's The Fox 98.5 FM radio station, holds this annual family-friendly fishing contest to encourage anglers — local and far — to fish at designated Uintah Basin waterbodies. Grab your fishing tackle, make sure to bring along your valid Utah fishing or combination license and get outside for a fun day on the water. You could catch one of the hundreds of tagged rainbow trout stocked in the Uintah Basin!

Where to catch tagged contest fish

Fish at any of the three lakes stocked in 2022 with tagged fish:

• Big Sand Wash Reservoir (Duchesne County)
• Browne Lake (Daggett County)
• East Park Reservoir (Uintah County)

What to do if you catch a fish

This year, the trout are tagged with a blue tag that says '2022 DWR WIN' with a corresponding number from 001-550.

• Tags can be registered and turned in beginning at noon on Monday, May 23 through August 7, 11:59 p.m.
• You must have possession of the physical blue tag to win. You can catch-and-keep trout with the tag or catch-and-release tagged trout. If you choose catch-and-release fishing, please swiftly pull or clip the tag from the trout, then release it.
• Register for the contest. Register here on this Eventbrite page to enter your contest registration information; once registered for the contest, you'll be prompted to print out or download the "tagged fish registration ticket," which must accompany all tags submitted.*

How to register your tag

All tags registered by midnight on Aug. 7 are automatically entered for the 'Alive After Five' grand finale prize drawing! The prize drawing will occur on Thursday, August 11, 2022, from 5-8 p.m. at the Uintah County Library park (204 E. 100 North, Vernal).

You must be present to win OR register an alternative person to represent you at the grand prize drawing. 

1. If you haven't already, register here on this Eventbrite page to enter your contest registration information; once registered for the contest, you'll be prompted to print out or download the "tagged fish registration ticket" which must accompany all tags submitted.*
2. Submit your tagged fish registration ticket and physically turn in the blue tag for verification. Important: Make sure your tag is secured to the registration ticket somehow — use staples, tape or place them in a ziplock bag.
3. There are several ways you can turn in your tag and registration:

• Option 1 – Mail in your tagged fish registration ticket and attached blue tag (both must be included). Attn: Fishing with the Fox contest, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 318 N. Vernal Ave., Vernal, UT 84078
• Option 2 – Drop off your tagged fish registration ticket and attached blue tag (both must be included). Stop by the Vernal DWR office lobby during office hours (M-F, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) or Stewart’s Ace (245 US-40, Roosevelt) gun counter and drop off your tagged fish registration ticket and attached blue tag in a designated "Fishing with the Fox" dropbox. Remember to make sure your tag is firmly secured somehow — by staples, tape or sealed in a ziplock bag.
• Option 3 – Email your fish registration ticket and then mail or bring in your blue tag.
• Screenshot or download your completed fish registration ticket and email it to: tonyakieffer@utah.gov or achristianson@utah.gov, then
• mail the numbered blue tag (along with your name and email address) to the Vernal DWR office — Attn: Fishing with the Fox contest, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 318 N. Vernal Ave., Vernal, UT 84078
• or turn in your blue tag (along with your name and email address) at the Vernal DWR office lobby during office hours (M-F, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)

The deadline to register your tag is August 7, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.

Prizes and awards

Join us Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 from 5–8 p.m. for the prize drawing!

All tags registered are automatically entered for the 'Alive After Five' grand finale prize drawing! The prize drawing will occur on Thursday, August 11, 2022, from 5-8 p.m. at the Uintah County Library park (204 E. 100 North, Vernal).

You must be present to win OR register an alternative person to represent you at the grand prize drawing. 

Even if you don't catch a tagged fish, going fishing at one of the three designated locations will get you a stamp in the 2022 Uintah County Dinosaurland Passport to Summer!

All state fishing rules and regulations apply

Reminder: All Utah fishing rules and regulations apply throughout the contest.

• You must possess a valid Utah fishing or combination license if you are aged 12 or older. Children ages 12-17 get a discounted rate on their license. You may purchase or renew your Utah fishing license at any DWR office, online or at a licensed vendor.
• All bag and possession limits apply; please see the current Utah Fishing Guidebook for details.
• See the DWR website for more information on fishing regulations, and download the Utah Hunting and Fishing app to store your license on your mobile device.
• Check on conditions, regulations, fishing reports and emergency closures specific to any Utah waterbody by visiting the Fish Utah interactive map.

Thank you to participating sponsors

• Basin Sports
• B & D RV
• Heritage Ford
• Patriot Marine & Diesel
• Stewart's Marketplace/Ace Hardware
• The Fox 98.5 radio station

Please watch your email and follow the DWR on social media for the latest updates.

Directions to participating waterbodies: 

Big Sand Wash Reservoir: From Duchesne, take U.S. Highway 40 east for 12 miles. Turn north onto to UT-87 towards Upalco, then continue north to the east side of the reservoir. You may access the lake via the boat ramp or the sportsman's access. Note: The west side of the reservoir is mostly private access. Please respect private property.

Browne Lake: From Vernal, go north on U.S. Highway 191 (Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway) for 34 miles. Continue straight (north) onto UT-44 for 14 miles. Turn left onto W. 3240 South/W. Sheep Creek Geological Loop for 3 miles (FR 218). Follow the U.S. Forest Service signs to Hickerson Road(FR 221), take a quick left-then-right jog, and follow Hickerson Road/FR 221 for 4 miles. At the Browne Lake sign, turn left onto FR 096. Follow FR 096 for 2 miles until you reach your destination. There is a forest service campground located at this reservoir.

East Park Reservoir: From Vernal, take U.S. Highway 191 north for 16 miles. Turn left onto the Red Cloud Loop and follow FR 018/FR 020 for 5 miles. There is a U.S. Forest Service campground located at this reservoir.

Contact us

For more information about this event, please contact the DWR event organizers:

Anthony Christianson at 435-828-0008 or achristianson@utah.gov

Tonya Kieffer-Selby at 801-995-2972 or tonyakieffer@utah.gov