Panguitch Lake

About Panguitch Lake

Panguitch Lake is located in the Dixie National Forest in southwest Utah and is one of the most beautiful lakes in Utah that visitors to this beautiful state do not want to miss. With a name like "sandwich" (which rhymes with sandwich), it is a reservoir enlarged by a dam and formed by natural water.

At an altitude of 8,200 feet, Panguitch Lake is a popular recreational area offering year-round activities. Flanked by aspen, spruce, ponderosa and pine trees, the lake is estimated to be more than 1,000 years old.

Panguitch Lake is fed by spring water flowing from the edge of the Markagunt Plateau and then flowing from south to east to Panguitches Lake. Pangeris Lake flows into the Sevier River, from where it flows through the small community of Paguitch and then into Pancake Creek.

The construction of the dam, which took place in phases from 1885 to 1975, changed the original depth of Panguitch Lake from 35 feet to 40 feet, then to 50 feet and finally to 60 feet.

The dam was built to hold more water for irrigation, and the water level was controlled by the West Panguitch Irrigation Company.
Panguitch Lake is mainly known as a fishing destination, and indeed the Paiute Indians used it as fishing grounds early on. The name Panguitches means "big fish" in the Paiute language, hence the name of the lake derives from the name of the tribe.

The lake is known for its trout, and fishermen find neck here - breaking trout and other large fish that thrive in the cool waters.

In winter, ice fishing on the lake is very popular, and there is an ice rink with skates available for $5 per day. Panguitch Lake has a marina where visitors can rent a boat, kayak or even a small boat for free. For those who bring their own boats, there is also a rented boat slide and a picnic area with picnic tables and picnic chairs.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has filled the lake with 20,000 rainbow trout by treating it with rotenon to control Utah's chub population. There is a trout limit of four and fishermen must release trout that are 15-22 inches long. The caught trout cannot be filleted, head and tail must be removed from the lake and the trout must be put to bed.

Other activities around the lake include fishing, boating, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, hunting, fishing and camping. Wildlife watching is also a popular pastime, and deer and elk can be seen in the area, as well as a variety of other wildlife. Just a short drive away, visitors can take a break from the bustling city of Salt Lake City and its many restaurants and bars.

For campers, Panguitch Lake offers extensive camping facilities operated by the US Forest Service. For overnight stays, there are resorts around the lake and cabins for rent (see link below). In winter, visitors can go snowmobiling, snowshoeing, skiing or snowmobiling nearby. Pangerish Lake is also a great destination for those looking for a permanent or part-time residence.

In recent years, residents and residents of neighboring states have built numerous vacation homes in the area, and visitors can find vacation homes, condominiums, houses and land on Panguitch Lake. No matter how you get there or cross-country, it is a ride with many opportunities for hiking, skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.

The nearest airport is Salt Lake City, which is a four-and-a-half-hour drive away, while Las Vegas is a further four hours drive away. While the roads are well paved and well maintained, visitors to Panguitch Lake can sometimes be uneven. For many, however, the hardest destination is to be on the west side of the lake, just a few hundred meters from the shore and not too far from Lake Powell.