Little Dell Reservoir

Overview

Little Dell Reservoir is about 13 miles east of Salt Lake City on State Route 65, roughly a mile northeast of Interstate 80, at about 5,800 feet. The 249-acre impoundment of Dell Creek also stores water diverted from Parleys Creek and is run for flood control and drinking water. It averages about 82 feet deep and reaches just over 200 feet. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources uses it as a brood source for Bonneville cutthroat trout, and special rules protect that population. Brook trout are also present. To protect the watershed, Salt Lake City Public Utilities prohibits swimming, wading, dogs and other domestic animals, and motorized boats. Water levels drop through summer as the city draws on the supply, but DWR reports fishing stays good for shore anglers and non-motorized boats early and late in the day. Fly anglers use bead-head nymphs, midges and balanced leeches under an indicator, plus streamers near the inlet or the cove by the dam. Spin anglers use spoons, marabou jigs and baitfish lures. Do not park along Highway 65.

Regulations

Little Dell is artificial flies and lures only, and all cutthroat trout must be released immediately. Nearby cutthroat streams have a spring spawning closure. See the Little Dell entry in the current Utah Fishing Guidebook: https://wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks/fishing_guidebook.pdf

Stocking history

Likely species (watershed)

Brown Trout, Fathead Minnow, Longnose Dace, Mosquitofish, Mottled Sculpin, Mountain Sucker, Redside Shiner, Speckled Dace

Likely species come from USGS Aquatic GAP ranges for the whole watershed (HUC8). They show what may be here, not a count of this water.

Nearby waters

• Parleys Creek8.8 miles · UT
• East Canyon Reservoir10.6 miles · UT
• Rockport Lake15.7 miles · UT
• Red Pine Lake15.9 miles · UT
• White Pine Lake16 miles · UT
• Upper Bells Canyon Reservoir16.3 miles · UT

More in Salt Lake

• Parleys CreekUT
• Red Pine LakeUT
• Upper Bells Canyon ReservoirUT
• White Pine LakeUT