* ''Water quality and quantity'': A body of water, warm or cold, flowing or flat, will be considered for Blue Ribbon status if it has sufficient water quality and quantity to sustain a viable fishery.
* ''Water accessibility'': The water must be accessible to the public.
* ''Natural reproduction capacity'': The body of water should possess a natural capacity to produce and maintain a sustainable recreational fishery. There must be management strategies that will consistently produce fish of significant size and/or numbers to provide a quality angling experience.
* ''Angling pressure'': The water must be able to withstand angling pressure.
* ''Specific species'': Selection may be based on a specific species.
Criteria as used by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.〔(Utah Blue Ribbon Fisheries )〕 Specific criteria may vary by state.