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 (for anglers aged 12 and older) 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 these three lakes socked in 2024 with tagged fish:
- Moon Lake (duch*esne County)
- Paradise Park Reservoir (Uintah County)
- Long Park Reservoir (Daggett County)
What to do if you catch a tagged fish
This year, the trout are tagged with a yellow tag that says '2024 DWR WIN' with a corresponding number from 001-550.
- Tags can be registered and turned in starting at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 27 through Aug. 6, 11:59 p.m.
- You must have possession of the physical yellow 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.*
*If you do not have a printer, call the Vernal DWR office at 435-781-9453 (or visit during office hours), and staff will assist you with getting your tag(s) registered. Once tags and registration tickets are received, a confirmation email will be sent from the DWR to the registered party's email address confirming your entry for the grand prize finale.
How to register your tag
All tags registered by midnight on Aug. 6 are automatically entered for the 'Alive After Five' grand finale prize drawing! The prize drawing will occur on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 6-8 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.
- 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.*
- Submit your tagged fish registration ticket and physically turn in the yellow 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.
- There are several ways you can turn in your tag and registration:
- Option 1 – Mail in your tagged fish registration ticket and attached yellow 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 yellow 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 yellow 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 yellow tag.
- Screenshot or download your completed fish registration ticket and email it to: tonyakieffer@utah.gov or achristianson@utah.gov, then
- mail the numbered yellow tag (along with your name, phone number 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 yellow 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 6, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
*If you do not have a printer, call the Vernal DWR office at 435-781-9453 (or visit during office hours), and staff will assist you with getting your tag(s) registered. Once tags and registration tickets are received, a confirmation email will be sent from the DWR to the registered party's email address confirming your entry for the grand prize finale.
Prizes and awards
Join us Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 from 6–8 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 8, 2024, from 6-8 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 two designated locations will get you a stamp in the 2024 Uintah County Dinosaurland Passport to Summer!
All state fishing rules and regulations apply
Reminder: 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
- Esquire RV
- Mort's Car Wash
- Red Mountain Cycle
- Stewart's Marketplace/Ace Hardware
- Strategic Diesel
- The Fox 98.5 radio station
- Wildlife Conservation Foundation
Please watch your email and follow the DWR on social media for the latest updates.
Directions to participating waterbodies:
Moon Lake Reservoir: From duch*esne, take State Hwy 87 north for 19 miles. Turn north onto to 20780 W towards Mountain Home, then continue north 13 miles to the Forest Boundary and Forest Road 131. Follow road 131 for 5 miles to the lake. The lake is about 37 miles from duch*esne on paved roads - although some spots have potholes.
Long Park Reservoir: From Manila, at the intersection UT 43 and UT 44; turn south on UT 44. Drive 13 miles to the upper (second) road to Sheep Creek Geological Loop. Turn right onto the Loop, drive 2 miles to FS 221 and drive to FS 014. Turn north for .6 miles to boat launch area.
From Vernal, turn north on US 191. Drive 34.8 miles to Greendale Junction. Continue onto UT 44. Drive 14.7 miles to the upper (first) road to Sheep Creek Geological Loop. Turn left onto the Loop, drive 2 miles to FS 221 and drive to FS014. Turn north for .6 miles to boat launch area.
Paradise Park Reservoir: From Vernal, travel 16.5 miles west on UT 121. Go 15.25 miles north on county road, then 8.75 miles north on Forest Road 104.
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
