Millsite On Ice Fishing Tournament

The Millsite On Ice Fishing Tournament returns to Millsite State Park Reservoir in Ferron, Utah, bringing two days of competitive ice fishing to one of the quieter and more photogenic reservoirs in the Manti-La Sal highlands of central Utah. The 2026 tournament takes place January 10 and 11, structured across two distinct formats: a two-person team competition on Saturday and individual categories for youth, men, and women on Sunday. Cash prizes are awarded for top catches, the longest fish, and any tagged fish landed during the event. All profits from registration and entry fees are reinvested directly into prize payouts and drawing giveaways, with the total award pool scaling based on participant numbers, which gives early registration a tangible impact on the prize structure for everyone.

What the Reservoir Offers

Millsite Reservoir sits at approximately 5,600 feet elevation in Emery County, a region most Utahns associate with canyon scenery rather than fishing. The reservoir itself is a 435-acre body of water surrounded by red rock terrain and piñon-juniper forest, managed by Utah State Parks as part of a facility that includes camping, boat ramps, and picnic infrastructure. In winter, the reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout, making it one of the more productive ice fishing venues in the region for anglers who prefer a reservoir-scale fishery over the smaller mountain lakes common in central Utah. The setting is genuinely removed from the crowds that collect at larger Utah fisheries in winter.

If You’re Going With Kids: Sunday’s individual youth division makes this a legitimate father-son or family-entry event, not just adult competition. Children benefit from the flat, navigable ice surface of a reservoir, which requires less hiking and orientation than slope-side mountain lakes. Bring sleds for younger children to haul gear across the ice, and pack warm drinks and extra hand warmers given Emery County’s cold January temperatures.

Getting to Ferron and What Surrounds It

Ferron sits along Highway 10 in Emery County, roughly 90 minutes southeast of Provo and about two hours south of Salt Lake City. For families or anglers driving in from the Wasatch Front, the approach through Price Canyon on Highway 6 is a canyon drive worth doing slowly. The town of Ferron is small and local in character, with limited but genuine hospitality. Millsite State Park is located just west of town on Millsite Road. For families looking to extend the trip beyond the tournament weekend, nearby Scofield Reservoir, roughly an hour north, is another established ice fishing destination in Utah’s central highlands that combines a more mountain-lake character with good trout access. San Rafael Swell country begins east of Ferron, offering extraordinary geology for a Sunday afternoon drive after competition wraps.

Logistics and What to Bring

Anglers should register in advance through the tournament’s official channels to lock in entry and contribute to the prize pool total. Utah fishing licenses are required for all participants. Dress in waterproof layered systems, as Emery County in January can deliver temperatures well below freezing by midday, compounded by wind across the open reservoir surface. Ice cleats, an ice auger or rental access, a rod, bait, and a bucket are the core kit. The tournament committee provides collection and measurement services at the weigh station. A pick-up truck, traction tires, and an early arrival time on both days are strongly recommended, as access roads can pack with ice and parking near the launch becomes congested quickly once the field is assembled.