Anglers at Sunset Pond will have to release every largemouth bass they hook starting in 2027.

The Utah Wildlife Board voted Friday, Sept. 18, to drop the daily largemouth bass limit at the Salt Lake County community pond from two fish to zero, according to a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) press release. The change targets harvest pressure at heavily fished community ponds along the Wasatch Front.

Sunset Pond is one of only eight community ponds statewide that received the new zero limit. The others are Spring Lake, Salem Lake, Highland Glen Pond, Dry Creek Pond and the Old Provo Channel in Utah County, Andy Adams Reservoir in Davis County, and Goode Ski Lake in Weber County.

Under the current 2026 regulations, Sunset Pond allows a daily limit of two fish, and the DWR encourages anglers to voluntarily release largemouth bass. The 2027 rule removes that choice. Catch-and-release becomes mandatory for the species.

Angler survey backed the changes

The DWR said it conducted a statewide survey earlier in 2026 to gather angler feedback on proposed regulation changes. The agency described the results as showing strong support for the proposals the board approved.

The bass limit was part of a broader package of fishing regulation updates. ABC4 reported on the full scope of changes, which also included reclassifying 14 native fish species as game fish with a daily limit of zero. The list includes bluehead sucker, flannelmouth sucker, least chub, Virgin spinedace and 10 other species. The roundtail chub daily limit dropped from two to zero statewide.

New tools for invasive species

Anglers gained expanded options for removing invasive fish. Common carp, fathead minnow and redside shiner can now be taken by traps, spearfishing, bowfishing, nets or traditional angling in any open waterbody. Similar multi-method harvesting applies to Utah chub, Utah sucker and white sucker, except in the Weber River, Utah Lake and Utah Lake tributaries.

Golden shiner, burbot and zander were added to Utah's prohibited fish list.

What local anglers need to know

The new regulations take effect for the 2027 season. No specific start date has been announced. Sunset Pond remains open to fishing during community park hours, and the zero limit applies only to largemouth bass. Other species at the pond still fall under standard community fishery rules.