Big Cottonwood Creek

Big Cottonwood Creek runs through one of the most dramatic canyons above Salt Lake City, dropping out of the Wasatch high country through Big Cottonwood Canyon before reaching the valley floor. The upper canyon holds small but wild brown and rainbow trout in tight, brushy water that rewards stealth and short casts. Water temperatures stay cold thanks to canyon shade and consistent elevation, making it fishable even in midsummer. The best fishing is found above the ski resort traffic, in the stretches near Solitude and Brighton where the stream widens slightly and fish have more room to hold. Regulations vary by section — check Utah DWR annually. The creek is narrow and technical, demanding reach casts and careful approaches, but the canyon scenery and genuine wild trout make it a worthy destination for Salt Lake City anglers looking to escape the crowds on the Provo.