Sportfishing in Wyoming, USA

Province/state: Wyoming

Country: United States

About Wyoming Sportfishing:

Boasting over 27,000 miles of rivers and streams, 4200 lakes and 14 fishable reservoirs, Wyoming offers unparalleled fishing opportunities. From the High Plains in the east, to peaks and rangelands of the Rocky Mountains in the West, Wyoming also offers an incredible range of landscapes, and fishing experiences. The range of fish species is incredible: trout, bass, walleye, catfish, salmon, whitefish, and both freshwater fishing and ice fishing are available. In the winter, there’s even ice fishing. Bring your own axe!

What to Catch:

Types of Fishing Available in Wyoming:

Prime Fishing Locations in Wyoming:

Wyoming has so many attractive fishing spots they probably deserve a book – and I’m sure many have been written! Generally, Wyoming can be divided between the plains of the eastern half of the state, the foothills and mountains of the Rockies in the west. Here are a few highlights:

Laramie Plains Lakes in southeast Wyoming (including the Hattie and Twin Buttes Lakes) are great for Rainbow, Brown and Cutthroat Trout. The Alcova Reservoir lies on the North Platte River in Central Wyoming is known for fly fishing, and large Rainbow Trout. The Flaming George Reservoir: in Southeast Wyoming, is renowned for its Trout and Kokanee Salmon. Yellowstone Lake, in the Northwest, located in the iconic Yellowstone National Park, is known for Cutthroat Trout. The Glendo Reservoir in east-central Wyoming, offers Walleye and Catfish. The Snake River offers excellent trout fishing in scenic surroundings while the Green River is known for its brown and rainbow trout. The Boysen Reservoir is popular for walleye and perch.

Wyoming has excellent fishing year-round (assuming you can dress up for winter – at least it’s a ‘dry’ winter). Spring and early summer are ideal for most species, with cooler water temperatures and active fish. Rainbow Trout begin their spawning runs in the spring on the North Platte and Bighorn Rivers. Summers brings longer days and warmer waters: Bass, Walleye and Perch become more active. Fall is perfect for Brown and Brook Trout, particularly below Casper. Mid-October is often the best for trophy-size fish.

Wyoming also hosts various fishing tournaments, all through the year. Events are listed on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website (WGFD), and cover everything from fly fishing competitions to ice fishing derbies.

Wyoming Fishing Licenses

All anglers must have a valid fishing license to fish in Wyoming. Anglers under 14 can fish without a license, so long as they are accompanied by a licensed adult. Licenses can be purchased online through the WGFD’s website. 

Wyoming Fishing Limits

Wyoming enforces bag and size limits, depending on the species and location. Some areas are subject to special fishing regulations or are designed as restricted zones. These may include only catch-and-release, areas where only artificial lures and flies are allowed, or seasonal closures. 

Discover the Wild

Wyoming is much more than just fishing, as great as the fishing is! The ‘Cowboy State’ is home to everything from the iconic Grand Teton Mountains to the sweeping plains of the Great Divide Basin, and hot springs of Yellowknife National Park. Bison, elk and eagles can be found throughout the state, and the state features many walking and hiking trails, and offers opportunities from everything from horse-riding to camping, all under the vast Wyoming sky. Other wildlife include Black and Grizzly Bears, Gray Wolves, Deer, Moose, Pronghorns (the fastest land animal in North America – capable of sprinting up to 60 miles an hour!), Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Lions, Beavers, and Coyotes. A truly wondrous place.