Willard Bay, Freshwater bay at Box Elder County, Utah.
Willard Bay is a freshwater bay in Box Elder County, Utah, separated from the Great Salt Lake by an earth-filled dike. It has two marina areas, one on the north end and one on the south, each with docks, boat ramps, and facilities for water recreation.
The project began in the 1940s as part of a regional water management plan and led to the construction of the Arthur V. Watkins Dam, completed in 1964. That dam sealed off this section of the Great Salt Lake and allowed it to be refilled with fresh water.
Fishing is the main draw here, and many visitors come specifically for walleye, a species rarely found in this part of the country. The calm freshwater also attracts boaters who cannot use the nearby Great Salt Lake for recreation because of its high salt content.
The north and south marinas each have their own access points, so it helps to know in advance which one suits your plans before arriving. Facilities tend to be fully open during the warmer months, which is also when fishing and boating conditions are at their best.
Although the water here is fresh, the bay sits physically inside the Great Salt Lake, with salty water on three sides just beyond the dike. The dam that holds back the salt water is what allows freshwater fish to survive in one of the saltiest regions of North America.
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