The Strawberry Anglers Association

About the SAA

The Strawberry Anglers Association (SAA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of Utah’s premier "flat water" trout fishery — Strawberry Reservoir. Founded in June, 1997, by Jim Carter and a group of concerned fishing friends, the SAA currently boasts over 550 members. Strawberry has been an important fishery for years, but fishing pressure exploded in the 1990s and early 2000s with the population increases along the Wasatch Front. As our population continues to grow, the demands on Strawberry will increase as well. In addition to fishing, the Strawberry Valley must withstand serious pressures that include use of its water, oil drilling with the associated road building, and much more. Finding a balance among all these competing factors is difficult at best. As these changes take place, SAA provides representation and leadership for Utah's anglers. Our orgnization provides members with a way to learn about Strawberry Reservoir and to help support the fishery. Our members learn from each other how to unlock Strawberry's fishing secrets. They take an active role in critical fisheries management decisions, participate in on-the-ground projects and sponsor public education activities. Working in close cooperation with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies, SAA members directly assist aquatic managers and fisheries’ biologists in promoting the conservation of Strawberry Reservoir.

As founder, Jim Carter, sees it:

"The future of Strawberry angling depends on organized group involvement to protect our sport. Anglers need to be part of the solution to problems, both today and tomorrow, by taking an active role in preserving this valued resource."

SAA's Goals:

To protect the Strawberry Valley Fishery
To work hand-in-hand with the Division of Wildlife Resources to ensure the best methods are used and the best results are gained for the money spent
To work closely with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources project managers on early input into changes in procedures or regulations that affect the Strawberry Fishery
To maintain a first-class family fishery
To ensure that only top quality fish are stocked in the Valley's water systems
To conduct educational efforts that ensure state and federal agencies responsible for the fishery know our position on all matters affecting the fishery
To work proactively on the laws, regulations, and policies that impact the Strawberry Valley system's land, water, fish, and other wildlife.
To ensure that the approved management plan for the fishery is followed.

Strawberry Reservoir & SAA's History:

1905 Strawberry Reservoir construction began.
1923 Trout stocked for the first time.
1930 State record cutthroat throut caught–26.5 lbs.
1940 Fish trap first used to take trout eggs.
1945 Bait fishermen introduced nongame fish.
1949 Original fishing camps constructed.
1956 One trout kept for every five hours of fishing.
1960 Over 90% of the fish were nongame.
1961 All fish removed with chemical treatment.
1962 One million trout are stocked.
1972 Bait fishermen reintroduce nongame fish.
1973 Soldier Creek Dam constructed.
1984 Fishing Camps removed.
1985 Strawberry and Soldier Creek reservoirs join.
1986 Approximately 93% of all fish were nongame.
1990 All fish removed with 2nd chemical treatment.
1991 Restocking of 3,000,000 game fish.
1996 Sterilized rainbow planting discountinued.
1997 S.A.A. organized.
1998 Triploid sterilized rainbows reintroduced.