The Utah Wildlife Board approved an experimental introduction of white sturgeon into two state waterbodies and updated rules for wildlife management area access during its recent public meeting. The board also finalized various changes regarding upland game, turkey hunting, and the Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit program.
New regulations for wildlife and waterfowl management area (WMA) access were approved to align with legislative changes from 2025 and 2026. While a 2025 law required individuals 18 and older to hold a hunting, fishing, or combination license to access WMAs in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties, new legislation allows those without licenses to obtain a free digital access permit by watching an educational video.
The implementation of these requirements will roll out across Utah over three years. In 2026, the rules apply only to class one and class two counties. Starting July 1, 2027, the requirements will expand to first-, second-, third-, and fourth-class counties, reaching all WMAs in Utah by July 1, 2028.
DWR Wildlife Lands Coordinator Chelsea Duke stated that these properties are vital for enhancing and protecting wildlife resources and provide dedicated places for hunting, fishing, and recreation. The board also established a process for accepting donations toward conservation or habitat projects on specific WMAs.
The board approved the introduction of white sturgeon into Hobbs Reservoir in Davis County and Grantsville Reservoir in Tooele County. DWR Aquatics Assistant Section Chief Craig Walker said the move aims to increase species diversity and create new fishing opportunities amid changing water conditions. Approximately 100 white sturgeon will be stocked in the spring of 2027, with roughly 50 fish per waterbody, under a catch-and-release only regulation.
Regarding upland game, the board approved updates for wild turkey hunting, including mandatory harvest reporting and an increase in control permits from two to five. The changes also allow multiple landowners to hunt adjacent properties using control permits and vouchers, and add turkeys to the urban deer rule to assist municipalities with nuisance management.
In other business, the board rejected a proposal to restrict lethal trap sets on public land for cougar harvesting. The board also approved all 2026 applications and variance requests for the Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit program. Additional updates included new rules regarding the consultation process for utility-scale renewable energy facilities to reduce impacts on wildlife habitats.
