Trail use in the fish Lake Basin now exceeds the use of past centuries. For 12,000 miles this trail wound from Santa Fe, New Mexico into Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and ended in the City of Angels - known today as Los Angeles, California. This time-worn path, known as the Old Spanish Trail, was the longest, toughest, and most crooked pack trail in North America. From the early 1800's, parties of Mexican traders, Ute Indians, and American adventurers trekked past the western shores of Fish Lake in search of gold, slaves, horses, and land. You are walking in the footsteps of travelers who have passed this way for centuries. The Fishlake National Forest continues to strive to resolve the differing viewpoints of many groups of people in determining the best management practices for the land in their care. This battle, just one of many in the Black Hawk War, was fought over a conficting way of life and use of the land.ĭiffering beliefs and values over natural resources persist even in our day.

The General made a stand on a low ridge above the lake before retreating. In September of 1864, Ute warriors engaged General Snow and 103 men of the Utah Militia who were marching on a Ute encampment at Fish Lake. White settlers were farmers who needed to plow and fence the land in order to make a living. The Utes were a wandering people who needed large tracts of land to successfully hunt and gather. Can you image a battle taking place here? The Black Hawk War was fought in this area between the years of 18. Look over the beauty of the Fish Lake Basin and experience the tranquility of the moment. Respecting the rights of these different user groups will keep Fish Lake a unique place to visit. Today, the USDA Forest Service manages this land and provides for the needs of recreationists, farmers, and ranchers. This proclamation gave ownership of the lake to ALL Americans.

Ten years after signing away the water rights of Fish Lake, President McKinley created a Forest Reserve which included Fish Lake. Land and water ownership was a concept introduced by European emigrants. Indian water rights to Fish Lake were sold to the Fremont Irrigation Company on Mafor 9 fine horses, 500 pounds of flour, 1 good beef steer, 1 suit of clothes, and the right to fish the Fish Lake outlet forever.ĭo you know why the Utes were compensated so little for something they highly valued? The Utes possessed and enjoyed Fish Lake in the same way they 'possessed and enjoyed the sun light, the west wind and the feel of spring in the air.' they had no idea what 'owning land or water' meant. Dispose of your garbage properly and practice proper hunting and fishing etiquette. To protect this beautiful lake and its resources, learn from the wisdom of those who used this land before you. Today, fish Lake is visited and enjoyed by people from many cultures. This treaty, signed along the southwestern shores of Fish Lake, has never been broken. In 1873, a Mormon delegation arrived at Fish Lake to make peace with the Utes. Between 18, many people were killed in battles for this land and its resources. A Heritage of Respectĭuring the 19th century, tensions multiplied when white settlers begain to hunt, fish, farm and fence these traditional areas. (Photo courtesy of Utah State Historical Society) You are standing on ground once considered a part of the 'traditional' hunting and fishing grounds of the Ute Indians. They trapped and dried fish during the summer months. Indians migrated from the warmer climates of Utah to Fish Lake. You might be surprised to know how long people have lived at Fish Lake! Can you hear birds chirping or creatures rustling in the underbrush? Stand still for a minute and you will soon discover what has attracted people to this unique geological formation for centuries.

Scan the sparking water and colorful mountainsides. Take a deep breath of fresh mountain air. Water trapped on the surface of the graben created Fish Lake. This down-dropped block, called a graben (graw-ben), took million of years to form. If you were to travel back in time for a day at the rate of 1,000 years per second, you would be able to stand right here and see how the block of land between these two mountains dropped.

Mother Nature Creates a Magnificent Oasis Did you know the first summer homes at the lake were built by mammoth hunters 9,000 years ago? Come with us and journey back through time to some of the more memorable events that have occurred at this lake. The life-giving waters of Fish Lake have enticed people to this area for thousands of years.

Stick ranger oasis