Joe Lay Lake fishing
Joe Lay Lake was last stocked on July 13, 2026 with 199 brook trout (2.9 in. average), according to the Utah DWR fish stocking report. It is a lake in Garfield County, Utah. From 2021 to 2026, DWR stocked 1,258 fish here, the 46th most of 65 stocked waters in Garfield County.
Joe Lay Lake stocking report, last 12 months
| July 13, 2026 | Brook trout | 199 | 2.9 in. |
Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report. Stocking data fetched Sept. 25, 2026; newest record dated Sept. 23, 2026. DWR posts stockings after they happen and does not publish schedules.
When is Joe Lay Lake stocked?
Based on DWR stocking records, 2021 to 2025. Stocked in 5 of those 5 years.
2025 stocking: 2 records, first on June 23.
DWR does not publish stocking schedules. Patterns are based on past stocking records and are not a promise of future stocking. Weather, water conditions and hatchery supply change plans. How we read patterns.
Joe Lay Lake stocking profile
- First record in the DWR report: July 8, 2002. Since then DWR has logged 26 stockings here in 24 different years, 6,674 fish in all.
- Species stocked 2021 to 2026, by share of fish: brook trout 96% (1,213 fish) and tiger trout 4% (45 fish).
- Busiest months in the record: July (65% of records) and June (31% of records).
- Stocked fish averaged 2.9 in. from 2021 to 2026 (per-record averages ranged from 2.6 to 3.5 in.).
- Fish stocked 2021 to 2026: 1,258, the 46th most of 65 stocked waters in Garfield County and 737th of 1,068 statewide.
- Nearest other water with a page: Yellow Lake, 0.4 mi away.
Computed from Utah DWR stocking records (fish counts and average lengths as DWR reports them). Past stocking is history, not a schedule.
Joe Lay Lake stocking history by year
| Year | Records | Fish | Avg. length | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 199 | 2.9 in. | Brook trout |
| 2025 | 2 | 245 | 2.9 in. | Tiger trout, Brook trout |
| 2024 | 1 | 194 | 2.6 in. | Brook trout |
| 2023 | 1 | 207 | 2.6 in. | Brook trout |
| 2022 | 1 | 210 | 3.5 in. | Brook trout |
| 2021 | 1 | 203 | 2.8 in. | Brook trout |
| 2020 | 1 | 205 | 2.7 in. | Brook trout |
| 2019 | 1 | 100 | 2.8 in. | Brook trout |
| 2018 | 2 | 246 | 2.9 in. | Tiger trout, Brook trout |
| 2017 | 1 | 201 | 2.4 in. | Brook trout |
| 2016 | 1 | 258 | 2.1 in. | Brook trout |
| 2015 | 1 | 159 | 2.9 in. | Brook trout |
| 2013 | 1 | 363 | 2.5 in. | Brook trout |
| 2012 | 1 | 357 | 2.6 in. | Brook trout |
| 2011 | 1 | 358 | 3.3 in. | Brook trout |
| 2010 | 1 | 360 | 2.6 in. | Brook trout |
| 2009 | 1 | 351 | 3.3 in. | Brook trout |
| 2008 | 1 | 357 | 3.2 in. | Brook trout |
| 2007 | 1 | 353 | 3.2 in. | Brook trout |
| 2006 | 1 | 347 | 2.9 in. | Brook trout |
| 2005 | 1 | 355 | 2.3 in. | Brook trout |
| 2004 | 1 | 351 | 2.3 in. | Brook trout |
| 2003 | 1 | 348 | 2.6 in. | Brook trout |
| 2002 | 1 | 347 | 2.9 in. | Brook trout |
All stocking records 2021 to Sept. 24, 2025 (6)
| June 23, 2025 | Tiger trout | 45 | 2.8 in. |
| June 23, 2025 | Brook trout | 200 | 3.0 in. |
| June 25, 2024 | Brook trout | 194 | 2.6 in. |
| July 11, 2023 | Brook trout | 207 | 2.6 in. |
| Aug. 16, 2022 | Brook trout | 210 | 3.5 in. |
| July 6, 2021 | Brook trout | 203 | 2.8 in. |
Fishing rules
The 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook lists no water-specific rules for Joe Lay Lake under that name, so statewide rules apply unless DWR posts a change. Some waters are covered by a group entry (for example a drainage or its tributaries).
Rules summarized in our own words from the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook. DWR can change rules mid-year: check the current guidebook and its updates at wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks before fishing. See statewide limits.
Email me when Joe Lay Lake is stocked
Email me when Joe Lay Lake shows up in the DWR stocking report. Alerts start once we switch on email; your choices are saved now.
"Was stocked" alerts come from new rows in the DWR stocking report. "Often stocked around now" heads-ups come from past stocking records only. DWR does not publish stocking schedules, so a heads-up is never a promise. We store your email only for these alerts; ask us to delete it at [email protected]. Privacy.
Joe Lay Lake questions
When is Joe Lay Lake stocked?
DWR does not publish stocking schedules. Past records show Joe Lay Lake was stocked in late June to early July (3 of the last 5 years). The most recent stocking in the DWR report is dated July 13, 2026.
What fish are in Joe Lay Lake?
Since 2021 DWR has stocked brook trout and tiger trout.
What are the fishing limits at Joe Lay Lake?
The 2026 guidebook lists no water-specific rules under this name, so statewide limits apply unless DWR posts a change. See our statewide limits page and check the guidebook.
Stocking: Utah DWR fish stocking report, fetched Sept. 25, 2026. Location: Utah DWR, USGS NHD. Rules: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook. Page built Sept. 24, 2026. Found an error? [email protected]. Verify rules with DWR before fishing.