Home to the Rocky Mountains, Wyoming offers incredible fishing opportunities. The state’s high mountain lakes, cold rivers, and reservoirs harbor trophy trout, walleye, pike, and smallmouth bass.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top destinations and techniques for fishing in Wyoming. Whether you prefer fly fishing mountain streams or trolling deep reservoirs for monster lake trout, Wyoming has endless options to hook your next big catch.
Grab your tackle box and let’s hit the water!
Overview of Fishing in Wyoming
Wyoming’s diverse geography and habitats support excellent warmwater, coldwater, and ice fishing. Here’s a quick overview:
- Abundant cold, clean mountain rivers and streams ideal for trout
- Over 4,000 high mountain lakes stocked frequently with trout and salmon
- Large reservoirs with walleye, trout, bass, pike, and panfish
- Productive lakes and rivers with channel cats, burbot, white bass
- Extensive public lands with accessible fishing opportunities
- Active fish stocking and management programs for quality fisheries
Wyoming Game and Fish operates 35 fish hatcheries that stock over 40 million fish per year. This extensive stocking ensures great fishing opportunities statewide.
Next, let’s break down the top species and destinations for fishing Wyoming’s waters.
Top Gamefish Species in Wyoming
Wyoming offers a diversity of fish species to target across its waters. Popular gamefish include:
Trout – Several trout including rainbow, brown, cutthroat, golden, brook, and lake trout thrive in Wyoming’s cold, clean waters. Trophies over 10 pounds are possible.
Walleye – Abundant in reservoirs. Provide great table fare. Most fish run 2-5 pounds.
Smallmouth Bass – Warmwater streams and reservoirs hold feisty bronzebacks up to 5 pounds.
Channel Catfish – Put up strong fights from Wyoming lakes and rivers. Reach weights over 20 pounds.
Yellow Perch – Prolific panfish in many waters. Great option for quick action and meals. Average 1/2 to 1 pound.
Northern Pike – Ambush minnows in weedy areas of lakes and reservoirs. Trophy potential over 20 pounds.
Burbot – Strange looking bottom dwellers of cold lakes famous for tasty meat. Reach huge sizes.
Best Trout Fishing Spots in Wyoming
From high mountain brookies to heavy lake trout, Wyoming trout fishing is world-class. Top spots include:
North Platte River
The renowned131-mile North Platte River between Saratoga and Glendo Reservoir contains trout up to 20 inches. Prime public access along Grey Reef and Miracle Mile.
Encampment River
The Encampment River running through the Sierra Madre mountains holds wild rainbow and brown trout eagerly hitting flies and lures. Public land access plentiful.
Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam
This blue-ribbon tailwater fishery sees prolific midge and caddisfly hatches. Sight fishing to rising trout is incredible from drift boats.
Lake Alcova
A 2,000 acre reservoir on the North Platte River known for trophy rainbow and brown trout up to 15 pounds. Float tube or boat access required.
Glendo Reservoir
Downstream from Lake Alcova, this larger Wyoming reservoir has excellent trout fishing from shore or boat with easy access to the North Platte River inflow.
Fremont Lake
In the Wind River Mountains, this scenic lake offers great float tube and shore fishing for stocked Snake River cutthroat trout. Easy hiking access.
Clark’s Fork River
Flowing north from Yellowstone Park, the Clark’s Fork holds native Yellowstone cutthroat trout amidst dramatic canyon scenery accessible on foot or via float.
Greys River
A National Wild and Scenic River flowing into Idaho, the Greys has excellent dry fly fishing for cutthroat trout in a remote wilderness setting.
Salt River
Close to Jackson, the Salt River supplies prolific trout fishing in a beautiful mountain valley setting. Big fish possible on streamers and nymphs.
Floyd’s Fork Creek
A small stream in the foothills near Buffalo, Floyd’s Fork Creek offers fast action on stocked rainbow trout perfect for beginners and kids.
Best Fishing Lakes and Reservoirs in Wyoming
In addition to small streams, Wyoming has massive reservoirs and high mountain lakes brimming with fish. Top picks include:
Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Straddling the Utah border, Flaming Gorge is one of the West’s top trout fisheries with huge lake trout and rainbows. World-class experience.
Jackson Lake
In Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Lake yields cutthroat, lake trout, and whitefish from shore or boat with amazing mountain views.
Buffalo Bill Reservoir
Just west of Cody, Buffalo Bill is a go-to spot for walleye, smallmouth bass, pike, trout, and panfish. Great amenities and easy access.
Boysen Reservoir
Near Wind River Canyon, Boysen has numbers of walleye, trout, smallmouth, and catfish. One of Wyoming’s most popular fishing lakes.
Glendo Reservoir
Extensive walleye and trout opportunities on this 18,000 acre reservoir along the North Platte River south of Casper. Also has yellow perch and white bass.
Grey Reef Reservoir
Known for huge rainbow trout over 10 pounds, Grey Reef also has smallmouth bass and panfish opportunities near Alcova south of Casper.
Ocean Lake
A wilderness lake tucked high in the Rockies of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Cutthroat and golden trout fishing is excellent for hikers.
Lake Cameahwait
Relatively close to Yellowstone, Lake Cameahwait has easy access and good numbers of yellowstone cutthroat trout for still fishing, trolling, or fly casting.
Bighorn Lake
On the border with Montana, vast Bighorn Lake has world-class trout, walleye, and smallmouth fishing amidst beautiful canyon country in the north.
Fontenelle Reservoir
A remote canyon reservoir in western Wyoming holding large lake trout, kokanee salmon, and rainbow trout feeding patterns.
Best Rivers and Streams for Fishing in Wyoming
In addition to lakes and reservoirs, Wyoming has miles of fishable rivers and streams. Top spots include:
North Platte River
With over 130 miles of access, the North Platte River provides world-class trout fishing through Grey Reef and Miracle Mile along with pike and walleye in lower reaches.
Snake River
The mighty Snake River along the Idaho border has outstanding cutthroat and brown trout fishing through the Jackson Hole valley and into scenic Palisades Reservoir.
Green River
Prolific trout fishing in the upper Flaming Gorge section. Lower Green has smallmouth, pike, trout, and huge channel cats around Rock Springs.
New Fork River
A highly scenic river near Pinedale, the New Fork is revered for its cutthroat and brown trout fishing in remote wilderness surroundings.
Wind River
The Wind River below Boysen Dam is renowned for large trout and runs through the scenic Wind River Canyon. Multi-day float trips possible.
Yellowstone River
A Yellowstone River tributary east of Cody, the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone has cutthroat trout amidst dramatic canyon scenery.
North Laramie River
This freestone river in eastern Wyoming offers convenient trout fishing access minutes from Wheatland. Good for wading and float fishing.
Encampment River
Flowing through the Sierra Madre mountains, the Encampment contains wild rainbow and brown trout in a variety of public fishing access points.
Clear Creek
Close to Buffalo, Clear Creek has good trout numbers and easy access perfect for taking kids fishing. Nice hiking access along the stream.
Shoshone River
Flowing through Cody in northwest Wyoming, the Shoshone holds brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout as well as mountain whitefish popular with fly casters.
Best Spots for Bass, Walleye, and Pike
While known for trout, Wyoming also has quality warmwater fishing opportunities for species like walleye, smallmouth bass, pike, and panfish. Top destinations include:
North Platte River – Lower stretches have walleye, smallmouth bass, catfish, and panfish around Casper and below Glendo Reservoir.
Flaming Gorge Reservoir – In addition to giant trout, Flaming Gorge also has huge lake trout, smallmouth bass, and burbot.
Boysen Reservoir – A hotspot for numbers of walleye, smallmouth bass, and pike that feeds into the Wind River below.
Gray Reef Reservoir – Next to trout, Gray Reef has a strong smallmouth bass fishery with fish up to 5 pounds.
Buffalo Bill Reservoir – All the above species thrive in Buffalo Bill near Cody, which also has white bass, crappie, and bluegill.
Glendo Reservoir – Like Buffalo Bill, Glendo holds walleye, smallmouth, pike, white bass, crappie, and bluegill.
Bighorn Lake – A Montana border reservoir with excellent walleye, smallmouth, sauger, pike, and perch.
Alcova Reservoir – Along with huge trout, Alcova has populations of walleye, smallmouth bass, and panfish.
Fontenelle Reservoir – A top spot for trophy lake trout, Fontenelle also holds walleye and jumbo yellow perch.
Ice Fishing Opportunities in Wyoming
The hardwater season provides plentiful ice fishing opportunities across Wyoming. Top picks include:
Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Massive lake trout and rainbow trout attract anglers drilling holes atop Flaming Gorge ice. One of the top ice fishing destinations in the region.
Gray Reef Reservoir
Renowned for huge trout including lake records over 20 pounds pulled through the ice. Also has yellow perch and panfish.
Lake DeSmet
A prime ice fishing lake for yellow perch located in Buffalo with easy access and plentiful quantities of fish.
Healy and Park Reservoirs
Two small impoundments near Buffalo allowing easy access to catch trout, splake, and panfish through the ice.
Ocean and Beaver Lakes
In the southern Wind Rivers, these natural glacial lakes have good trout and panfish ice fishing if you’re willing to hike or snowmobile in.
Boysen Reservoir
A hotspot for yellow perch, walleye and trout ice fishing. One of the most popular ice destinations due to ample access and plentiful fish.
Pathfinder Reservoir
A large reservoir with renowned ice fishing for walleye, trout, and white bass. Located south of Casper.
Pilot Butte Reservoir
Near Rock Springs, Pilot Butte offers consistent ice fishing for good sized rainbow trout through the winter months.
Best Fishing Techniques in Wyoming
To maximize your success, learn the most effective techniques for fishing Wyoming’s waters:
Trout Fishing
- Spin Casting – spinners, spoons, crankbaits, plastic tails
- Fly Fishing – flies that match hatch patterns
- Trolling lakes with downriggers or lead core line
- Still fishing or drift fishing bait in rivers/lakes
Bass Fishing
- Topwater lures – for warm conditions early and late
- Plastic worms and creature baits – wacky, Texas, Carolina rigs
- Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and lipless baits to cover water
- Jigs dragged along structure and transitions
Walleye & Pike
- Trolling with bottom bouncers or crankbaits
- Casting swimbaits, jerkbaits, spoons, and spinnerbaits
- Jigs tipped with minnows or soft plastics
- Live bait rigs drifted or cast – minnows or nightcrawlers
Panfish & Trout
- Light spin tackle or fly rods using small lures and jigs
- Small spoons, spinners, and in-line spinners
- Live bait under floats – mealworms, waxworms, crickets
Catfish & Burbot
- Still fishing natural baits – chicken livers, crawlers
- Cut bait like fish or shrimp fished off bottom
- Scented stink baits to attract bottom feeders
Ask local bait shops for the most effective lure colors and bait choices for the specific waters you’ll be fishing.
Best Fishing Guides and Charters in Wyoming
Consider hiring a guide to show you Wyoming’s world-class fishing opportunities. Top-rated options include:
Jackson Hole Fly Fishing Guides
- Location: Jackson, WY
- Fish: Trout, whitefish, grayling
- Trips Offered: Wade and float trips on Snake River and tributaries
Grand Fishing Adventures
- Location: Pinedale, WY
- Fish: Trout, whitefish, grayling
- Trips Offered: Wade, float, and lake trips around Pinedale and Green River
Reel Deal Fishing Trips
- Location: Casper, WY
- Fish: Walleye, trout, smallmouth, pike, white bass
- Trips Offered: Year-round trips on North Platte River reservoirs
Wyoming Fishing Adventures
- Location: Buffalo, WY
- Fish: Trout, pike, walleye, smallmouth, panfish
- Trips Offered: Kayak and drift boat trips in Bighorn region
High Country Charters
- Location: Cody, WY
- Fish: Trout, salmon, bass
- Trips Offered: Yellowstone lake and river trips
Wind River Canyon Whitewater & Fly Fishing
- Location: Thermopolis, WY
- Fish: Trout, smallmouth
- Trips Offered: Combination fly fishing and rafting trips on the Wind and Bighorn Rivers
A guide can help you access the best spots and learn techniques to catch more fish in Wyoming’s waters.
Top Lakes and Rivers for DIY Fishing
If you prefer to fish on your own, these Wyoming lakes and rivers offer good public access and don’t require a boat to reach fish:
Green River below Warren Bridge
Excellent shore fishing access for trout below Flaming Gorge Dam
Miracle Mile section of the North Platte
Wade fishing access for trout near Casper
Lewis Lake in Lewis and Clark National Forest
Easy shore fishing for panfish near Yellowstone
Twin Lakes outside of Pinedale
Pretty mountain lake with hiking access to trout and Arctic grayling
Newton Lakes
Smaller lakes with good shore fishing for stocked trout near Casper
Lake Cameahwait in Bighorn National Forest
Hiking access to cutthroat trout near Yellowstone
North Laramie River
Wade fishing access for trout near Wheatland
Clear Creek near Buffalo
Easy trout fishing along public access points
Middle Piney Creek
Cutthroat trout fishing in the Bighorn National Forest
Wyoming Fishing Regulations
Before heading out, ensure you understand and follow all fishing regulations:
- A Wyoming fishing license or conservation stamp is required for all anglers over 14 years old
- Resident and non-resident license options are available from 1 day to annual durations
- Know the species, size, and creel limits in the specific waters you are fishing
- Be aware of tackle restrictions – artificial lures or flies only on some waters
- Use the required bait and gear types for gamefish like trout and grayling
- Some extremely remote waters may require additional backcountry permits – check local regulations
- Pack out all trash and be ethical – protect Wyoming’s fisheries for the future!
Full regulations by county and water body are available on Fishing Licenses in Wyoming: A Comprehensive Guide. Know before you go!
Plan the Ultimate Wyoming Fishing Adventure
We’ve just scratched the surface of Wyoming’s amazing fisheries. From fly fishing pristine mountain streams to trolling trophy trout lakes, Wyoming has it all for outstanding fishing.
Use this guide to help plan your next fishing adventure in the Cowboy State. Do some additional research on the seasons, hatches, and patterns for the specific waters you want to target.
Armed with the proper tackle and techniques for your target species, plus knowing where to find fish in Wyoming’s endless waters, you’re sure to have a memorable trip landing lunkers!
Let us know how your fishing expedition goes – we’d love to hear what trophies you hook into! Tight lines!