Local Southern Utah Attractions (map)

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources: A better fishery

Panguitch Lake is a very productive fishery. Stocked fish include rainbow, cutthroat & tiger trout...  Three-inch rainbow trout stocked in in the spring will reach 10 inches by fall & 12 inches the following spring. Anglers have good success from shore, boat or on the ice.

Shore anglers: Shore anglers find rainbow trout along the north, east & south shores. Favorite spots include the southeast bay, the north shore near the north boat ramp & the southwest shore near the inlet of Blue Springs Creek. Good baits include Powerbait or a worm with marshmallow. Anglers looking for cutthroat trout use flies behind a bobber & small lures near the north boat ramp or the southeast shore.

Boat anglers: Boat anglers find rainbow trout in most areas of Panguitch Lake. Fish with bait at depths of <30 feet. Popular boat fishing areas include Panguitch Lake's north & east shores. Trolling small lures or pop-gear & a worm at this same depth also catch fish. Cutthroat trout are caught in the spring near the inlets in shallow water. These fish move out into other parts of Panguitch Lake later in the year, but can generally be caught in the upper layers.

Ice fishing: Ice fishing is good from late December until late February. Rainbow trout are generally caught in 20 to 30 feet of water on either Powerbait or small jigs & lures tipped with meal worms. Popular hotspots include the bay near Panguitch Lake's north boat ramp & just off the southeast shore. Look for cutthroat trout near inlets & in the bays.

Utah.gov:

Garfield's county seat, Panguitch is on the south side of the valley... The settlement was first called Fairview, but later changed to Panguitch, after nearby Panguitch Lake, a wonderful fishing lake for both [Native American] Indians and pioneers.  In March 1864, fifty-four pioneer families led by Jens Neilson arrived the area ... A fort was built on the present school square... However, crops planted the first year failed; the settlers gathered & ate frozen wheat... and when supplies ran out, 7 men went to Parowan for grain. They drove teams as far as the base of the mountain, then proceeded on foot. The men sank in the deep snow, & one man accidentally dropped his quilt on the ground & found that it supported him. The men quickly formed a line, laying their quilts on the snow, & then walked across the quilts. Then repeated the procedure ... & the trek became known as the quilt walk. 

On 10 April 1865, three men were killed by Indians in Sanpete County--starting the Black Hawk War ... & Panguitch was abandoned in May 1866.  But four years later Brigham Young decided it was time to resettle, & in early 1871 the following notice appeared in the Deseret News :

              "All those who wish to go with me to resettle Panquitch Valley, will meet me at Red Creek on the 4th day of March, 1871 and we will go over the mountain in company to settle that country."

A company arrived mid-March that year, & found no snow, dwellings & clearings unmolested, & even the crops of earlier settlers still standing.  Progress later brought a gristmill, sawmills, a shingle mill, post office, tannery, shoe shop, lime and brick kilns, a hotel, & a co-op store. The old meetinghouse built in the fort continued to be used as a school & church services. An early organization of the United Order was formed--but lasted only about 2 years before it was dissolved.

With a population of 500, Panguitch incorporated in 1899. Agriculture along with cattle & sheep raising formed the basic economy & a dam built at Panguitch Resivior enabled it to hold more water for irrigation. and jail are available to serve community residents.