Winter transforms Flaming Gorge from a boating destination into an ice fishing one, and the biggest event on the calendar is the Burbot Bash — an annual tournament held every January on the reservoir's ice.
Why a Fishing Tournament Exists to Remove Fish
Unlike most fishing tournaments, the Burbot Bash isn't primarily about celebrating a prized game fish — it exists to control one. Burbot are a cod-like fish that were illegally introduced to the Green River system and Flaming Gorge Reservoir, where they reproduce rapidly and prey on the trout, kokanee, and other sportfish the reservoir is known for. Since the tournament began in 2011, participating anglers have removed roughly 21,000 burbot from the reservoir, making it one of the most effective tools available for managing the invasive population.
Who Runs It
The Burbot Bash is hosted by the Flaming Gorge Chamber of Commerce, with sponsorship from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and the U.S. Forest Service — reflecting the reservoir's position straddling both states and its management by the Ashley National Forest.
Prizes and Categories
The tournament awards cash and prizes across several categories, including the most burbot caught, the largest and smallest burbot, and specially tagged fish planted in the reservoir before the event. Prize pools have run into the tens of thousands of dollars in recent years, drawing ice anglers from well beyond the immediate area.
Planning a Trip Around It
The Burbot Bash is typically held over a weekend in late January, though exact dates shift year to year — check burbotbash.com or the Flaming Gorge Chamber of Commerce for the current year's schedule before you plan a trip. Winter lodging in Manila and Dutch John is far less competitive than summer boating season, but it's still worth booking ahead for tournament weekend specifically, since it's the busiest stretch of the entire winter.
Even if you're not entering the tournament, late January is a good time to see Flaming Gorge at its quietest and most dramatic — snow against the red rock canyons, with the ice fishing community out in force.
