DNR News

DWR issues emergency changes to increase daily fishing limits at Pineview Reservoir, 6 other waterbodies due to low water levels

Salt Lake City (July 2, 2026)— Due to current low water levels from construction projects and ongoing drought impacts, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources issued emergency changes to increase the daily fishing limits at seven waterbodies in Utah, effective immediately. DWR Director Riley Peck issued the emergency changes to the Utah Fishing Guidebook on July 2, allowing for increased

DWR acquires Book Cliffs roadless area property as wildlife management area

Salt Lake City (June 18, 2026) — The purchase of a roughly 50,000-acre parcel of land in the roadless area of the Book Cliffs was officially finalized on Thursday and will become part of an existing Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wildlife management area in northeastern Utah. During the 2025 legislative session, the Utah Legislature allocated $50 million to the

Wildlife Biologist 1 – Research Biologist (Utah Lake Carp Management)

Wildlife Biologist 1 – Research Biologist (Utah Lake Carp Management) Opening date: February 11, 2026Closing date: May 4, 2026Salary: $23.63 – $27.52 BOELocation: Springville, UTTime frame: Approximately May 11 – Sep 4, 2026Positions available: 1Housing: Not provided The Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources, has a short term Biologist I available at the Central Region Office in

Record 1,901 big game animals assessed, GPS collared during 2024-25 winter captures

SALT LAKE CITY (March 18, 2025) — Each year, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources captures big game animals to perform important health assessments and to place GPS collars on the animals to learn more about their migration patterns and survival rates. This winter, a record 1,901 big game animals were captured, providing important data about big game herds across

Division of Wildlife Resources to receive up to $37.2 million in federal grants for habitat improvement projects throughout Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 23, 2025) — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has been awarded up to roughly $37.2 million in federal grants that would help benefit fish and wildlife in southeastern Utah through several habitat improvements projects. The awarded grants were announced Friday as part of the first round of funded projects from the Bureau of Reclamation’s Upper Basin Environmental

Riley Peck named new Division of Wildlife Resources director

Salt Lake City (Jan. 9, 2025) — Utah Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Joel Ferry named Riley Peck as the new director for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, effective Monday, Jan. 13. A resident of Eagle Mountain, Utah County, Peck started working for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in 2006 as a native aquatics technician. In 2009,

7 new Utah fishing records set in 2024

SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 9, 2025) — Anyone who goes fishing knows how thrilling it is to catch a fish, especially if it is a large, potentially record-breaking one. And in 2024, anglers set a few new fishing records in Utah. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources began tracking records for harvested fish in the early 1900s. Since then, the

Interested in deciding how wildlife is managed in Utah? Apply for a position on the Utah Wildlife Board in 2025

SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 6, 2025) — The group that makes the final decisions about hunting, fishing and how wildlife is managed in Utah has three positions to fill, and members of the public who have an interest in wildlife are encouraged to apply. The terms for the three positions on the Utah Wildlife Board will begin in August 2025, and will

Division of Wildlife Resources stocks more than 12.8 million fish throughout Utah in 2024

SALT LAKE CITY (Dec. 10, 2024) — In an effort to enhance fishing and boost native fish populations, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources stocks a variety of fish species throughout Utah every year, and in 2024, over 12.8 million fish were stocked into waterbodies across the state. A whopping 12,831,218 fish — totaling a combined 1,238,903 pounds — were stocked

Division of Wildlife Resources Director J Shirley announces retirement

SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 26, 2024) — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources director Justin “J” Shirley announced his retirement on Nov. 12 after 22 years of service with the division. His retirement will be effective Jan. 1, 2025. A resident of Stockton, Shirley joined the division in 2002 and became director in 2021 after serving as law enforcement chief since