New Two-Pole Fishing Permit Now Available For Statewide Use

Beginning January 1, 2007, a change in the Utah Fishing Guide allows anglers the opportunity to use two fishing poles throughout the state with a new $15 permit.

Prior to January of 2007, fishing opportunities for those who purchased a “two-pole” permit were limited to a few fishing waters that held mostly warm water species of fish. With the purchase of the new permit, anglers can now legally use two fishing poles throughout the state.

Craig Schaugaard, Northern Region Aquatics Manager explains the change in the two-poling rule. “This year, the Division of Wildlife Resources extended their two-pole fishing license to cover all state waters so anywhere in the state, with this permit, you can fish with two poles and this provides lots of different opportunity,” he said

Schaugaard is particularly excited about the opportunity this permit provides to pursue fish that might be found at various water depths. “What I like to do here at Pineview is fish with one pole right on the bottom for perch…the crappie are suspended about ten feet off the bottom, then I can fish with one pole at the perch level and one at the crappie level,” he said

Schaugaard added that the new permit would also work well at East Canyon where anglers can sample two parts of the water at the same time. He said this two-poling method is especially useful if anglers have electronic fish finders to locate different water levels of fish activity.

Another benefit of the permit is that it provides more opportunity to catch fish, especially when fishing is a little on the slow side. “When fishing is a little bit slow, it gives you twice the chance to catch a fish and it’s easy to watch (your poles),” Schaugaard said. He also added this caution. “When fishing is fast, if you’ve got two poles going you could end up hooking fish deeply and not be able to release them. Then there’s also a problem if you’ve got two fish hooked deeply and you’re just one fish away from your limit, then you’ve got an over-limit…you need to be a little careful when you’re doing it, but it will be well worth it if you try,” said Schaugaard.

Contact: Phil Douglass,
Northern Region Conservation Outreach Manager
Phone: 801-510-1406
Email: phildouglass@utah.gov