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There are numerous lakes within close proximity to the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway in the Uinta Mountains. The legendary route originates near Kamas, and eventually tops out at 10,687 feet in elevation at the Bald Mountain Pass.
One of the most popular destinations on the highway is Trial Lake. Located near other bodies of water such as Mirror Lake, Wall Lake, and Washington Lake, it boasts some of the best fishing in the area.
No matter what kind of angling you prefer, you’ll probably find it at Trial Lake. If you have a fly rod, you can enjoy the chance to catch brook trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and tiger trout. The tiger trout in particular can get quite beefy in the lake. Tie on a dainty dry fly and you also have a chance to catch an arctic grayling, which are known for their oversized dorsal fins and beautiful coloration.
For spin anglers, there are lots of chances to troll from watercraft or cast from shore. A Mepps or Rooster Tail spinner is a great way to entice a strike. Other popular lures include Kastmasters, or Jakes Spin-a-Lures. The brook trout can be particularly aggressive, while the grayling can sometimes be caught on the smallest lures in your tacklebox.
Bait fishing is also productive on the lake. You can dangle a nightcrawler below a bobber or float bait up from the bottom. Plan on catching a lot of rainbows using these techniques, though you might also encounter the other trout species. The biggest grayling I’ve ever seen was actually caught at Trial Lake by a friend of mine using a nightcrawler. Given the small size of grayling’s mouths, I was shocked that it took struck such a large piece of bait.
Even if the fish aren’t biting, there’s a lot more to do in the area. The Trial Lake Campground offers many amenities and there are hiking trails traversing the terrain. As you explore the forest of white fir and spruce trees, you’ll likely encounter wildlife and wildflowers.
Trial Lake sits at about 9,500 feet elevation, meaning it has pleasant weather during the day and gets cold at night. For a map and directions to the lake, click here.
Other Articles of Interest:
Mirror Lake and the Mirror Lake Highway
Provo River Falls - Mirror Lake Highway
Hike to Long Lake - Utah's Uinta Mountains
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