"Panguitch Lake was a natural lake encompassinig 777 acres until it was enlarged by a 22 foot dam to become a reservoir with a maximum surface area of 1,248 acres. It is a large midelevation lake on the Markagunt Plateau, between the City of Panguitch and Cedar Breaks National Monument. The lake is located in the Dixie National Forest in a high tourist use area near three national parks and one national monument. In recent years there has been a significant number of summer homes built in the area by residents from neighboring states in addition to Utah residents."

"The earliest known human use of the lake was as a fishery by the Piute Indians before the advent of the Caucasians into the area. The name Panguitch means "big fish" in the Native American Piute language."

"The earliest record of Caucasians visiting the lake was in early June of 1852 when the old Indian Chief, Quinarra (Kanara), requested the Mormon leaders at Parowan to visit a group of about 100 Piutes who were camped at the lake, catching fish and drying them for their winter supply of food (Woodbury, 1950)."

"The reservoir shoreline is 45% owned by the Dixie National Forest, the remainder being privately owned. Public access is unrestricted. Campgrounds and resorts are well marked. Panguitch Lake is an excellent location for recreation year around, including fishing, waterskiing, picnicking, camping, cross country skiing and snowmobiling. Usage is heavy from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It has also become a popular site for ice fishing in winter months."
(SOURCE: UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES)