WGFD 2025 fishing outlook (part 2)
Wyoming Game and Fish Department fish division personnel provided a spring-summer fishing outlook for their respective regions.
Read part 1 (Casper, Cody, Green River, & Jackson) here: [log in for link]
Lander Region:
Walleye fishing should again be exceptional at Boysen Reservoir.
"The 2018 year-class is the biggest since the late 1990s. These fish will be about 17-19 inches this year," said Paul Gerrity, Game and Fish fisheries biologist in the Lander Region. "The 2021 and 2022 year-classes also were well-above average. These fish should be about 13-15 inches this year. In 2023-24 we observed summer angler catch rates approaching one walleye per hour of fishing time. For comparison's sake, monthly angler catch rates for walleye at Boysen Reservoir sometimes exceeded those at Glendo Reservoir, which is considered to have the most consistent and robust walleye population in the state."
Spring also can be a great time to target rainbow trout at Boysen. Fish can be found along the shoreline before water temperatures rise and provide a great opportunity for anglers without the need for a boat.
Walleye numbers in Ocean Lake also are above average. Most of the walleye will be 11-13 inches. But good numbers of 15-16-inch walleye also exist. Trout numbers in the Little Popo Agie River in Red Canyon are outstanding, with some reaches of up to 600 pounds of trout per mile. Brown trout are the most abundant species, but rainbow trout and native mountain whitefish also are present. Brown trout longer than 20 inches are available to anglers in this reach.
The East Fork Wind River drainage, which includes the East Fork Wind River, Bear Creek and Wiggins Fork should be good for Yellowstone cutthroat as this species' numbers generally increase as you travel upstream. Fishing starts to pick up as runoff recedes. All streams in the East Fork drainage allow fishing by artificial fly and lure only, and all cutthroat trout must be released immediately.
Another good spot for Yellowstone cutthroat is Fish Lake near Union Pass. The lake provides camping opportunities and is usually accessible by the end of June. Anglers might also catch tiger trout, which were stocked a few times in recent history.
Summer is prime time to target largemouth bass at Lake Cameahwait. Anglers can count on aggressive fish leading up to the mid-June spawning period, though catch rates may drop as fish begin to focus on spawning.
Laramie Region:
Saratoga Lake has recovered nicely after the rotenone project in 2022 to remove illegally introduced yellow perch.
"Catch rates for rainbow trout are high, and these fish are averaging 14-22 inches," said Bobby Compton, Game and Fish fisheries supervisor in the Laramie Region. "Fish this lake in late-spring and early-summer before water temperatures warm up."
Fishing for rainbow trout at Twin Buttes Reservoir has been hot the last few springs, especially in the shallow portions. Additionally, anglers can help with research Game and Fish is conducting to evaluate Eagle Lake and fall rainbow trout strains.
The 1-2 weeks following spring runoff can be the best river fishing of the year. As water clears and begins to drop June 15-30, trout feed heavily on the abundant aquatic insect hatches in nearly every river in the region.
Spring is an excellent time to target walleye, crappie and smallmouth bass at Grayrocks, Hawk Springs and Wheatland No. 1 reservoirs as these fish move into shallow water to spawn and feed.
Pinedale Region:
Boulder, Fremont and Half Moon lakes can be great for lake trout from the shore because road conditions often allow anglers access as ice melts. "Lake trout are often cruising the shallows during this time and offer opportunities to tie into some large fish, which often move to shelves, humps and other deep-water structures later in the summer," said Alex LeCheminant, Game and Fish fisheries biologist in the Pinedale Region.
The Green and New Fork rivers offer some great fishing before peak runoff begins from late April through the end of May. Fish often hold in deep, slow runs at this time of year. Once runoff subsides and trout begin to look up, dry fly-fishing is expected to be excellent this summer.
Colorado River cutthroat trout in many of the region's headwater streams and lakes offer solid fishing in some of the most breathtaking backdrops in the state. North Horse Creek in the Wyoming Range is expected to fish well this year. North Piney Lake is worth the trip, where cutthroat exceeding 14 inches continue to be abundant. Accessing this lake requires a 4.5-mile hike or ATV ride from the North Piney Trailhead. Anglers are reminded the lake is closed to fishing from June 1-July 15 each year.
Researchers at Colorado State University working cooperatively with Game and Fish discovered the presence of whirling disease in the LaBarge Creek watershed. The disease, caused by a microscopic parasite, can affect juvenile salmonids and in some cases lead to mortality. Game and Fish plans to increase the number of large, catchable-sized cutthroat trout stocked in the drainage. These larger fish are less susceptible to whirling disease and provide angling opportunities while biologists continue to mitigate potential effects of the disease on cutthroat recruitment.
"Anglers are encouraged to continue fishing in LaBarge Creek, while making sure to always clean, drain and dry their waders, boots and other fishing equipment after every trip to avoid further spread of whirling disease," LeCheminant said.
North Piney Creek on the Bridger-Teton National Forest is expected to be good for brook trout. Other brook trout waters expected to be solid include Gypsum, Jim and Tepee creeks - located in the upper Green River drainage.
Sheridan Region:
Andrew Nikirk, Game and Fish fisheries biologist in the Sheridan Region, said Keyhole Reservoir should be good for walleye and northern pike based on the last few surveys. Nikirk added crappie numbers in Keyhole have "dipped a bit in recent years."
Healy Reservoir near Buffalo has good numbers and sizes of largemouth bass and tiger muskie, along with walleye up to 18 inches.
Rainbow trout are the most plentiful species in Lake DeSmet north of Buffalo with fish commonly between 14-18 inches.
There are brown trout in Lake DeSmet, and an expanding population of lake trout with several in the 14-20-inch range and some trophy-sized fish in deeper water. There also are trophy-sized walleye with some fish more than 10 pounds.
Nikirk described Sand Creek near Beulah as "awesome," with nearly 3,000 fish per mile larger than 6 inches.
The outlook in the Bighorn Mountains looks promising.
"This area truly offers anglers tons of opportunities," Nikirk said. "Most every river or stream offers brook, brown and rainbow trout. The North Tongue, South Tongue and Middle Fork Powder rivers are the most popular with anglers.
"In the Sheridan Region there are 64 high-alpine lakes in the Cloud Peak Wilderness with fish. Some hikes are easier than others, but the scenery is amazing."
-Robert Gagliardi
Photo: WGFD
Read part 1 (Casper, Cody, Green River, & Jackson) here: [log in for link]
Lander Region:
Walleye fishing should again be exceptional at Boysen Reservoir.
"The 2018 year-class is the biggest since the late 1990s. These fish will be about 17-19 inches this year," said Paul Gerrity, Game and Fish fisheries biologist in the Lander Region. "The 2021 and 2022 year-classes also were well-above average. These fish should be about 13-15 inches this year. In 2023-24 we observed summer angler catch rates approaching one walleye per hour of fishing time. For comparison's sake, monthly angler catch rates for walleye at Boysen Reservoir sometimes exceeded those at Glendo Reservoir, which is considered to have the most consistent and robust walleye population in the state."
Spring also can be a great time to target rainbow trout at Boysen. Fish can be found along the shoreline before water temperatures rise and provide a great opportunity for anglers without the need for a boat.
Walleye numbers in Ocean Lake also are above average. Most of the walleye will be 11-13 inches. But good numbers of 15-16-inch walleye also exist. Trout numbers in the Little Popo Agie River in Red Canyon are outstanding, with some reaches of up to 600 pounds of trout per mile. Brown trout are the most abundant species, but rainbow trout and native mountain whitefish also are present. Brown trout longer than 20 inches are available to anglers in this reach.
The East Fork Wind River drainage, which includes the East Fork Wind River, Bear Creek and Wiggins Fork should be good for Yellowstone cutthroat as this species' numbers generally increase as you travel upstream. Fishing starts to pick up as runoff recedes. All streams in the East Fork drainage allow fishing by artificial fly and lure only, and all cutthroat trout must be released immediately.
Another good spot for Yellowstone cutthroat is Fish Lake near Union Pass. The lake provides camping opportunities and is usually accessible by the end of June. Anglers might also catch tiger trout, which were stocked a few times in recent history.
Summer is prime time to target largemouth bass at Lake Cameahwait. Anglers can count on aggressive fish leading up to the mid-June spawning period, though catch rates may drop as fish begin to focus on spawning.
Laramie Region:
Saratoga Lake has recovered nicely after the rotenone project in 2022 to remove illegally introduced yellow perch.
"Catch rates for rainbow trout are high, and these fish are averaging 14-22 inches," said Bobby Compton, Game and Fish fisheries supervisor in the Laramie Region. "Fish this lake in late-spring and early-summer before water temperatures warm up."
Fishing for rainbow trout at Twin Buttes Reservoir has been hot the last few springs, especially in the shallow portions. Additionally, anglers can help with research Game and Fish is conducting to evaluate Eagle Lake and fall rainbow trout strains.
The 1-2 weeks following spring runoff can be the best river fishing of the year. As water clears and begins to drop June 15-30, trout feed heavily on the abundant aquatic insect hatches in nearly every river in the region.
Spring is an excellent time to target walleye, crappie and smallmouth bass at Grayrocks, Hawk Springs and Wheatland No. 1 reservoirs as these fish move into shallow water to spawn and feed.
Pinedale Region:
Boulder, Fremont and Half Moon lakes can be great for lake trout from the shore because road conditions often allow anglers access as ice melts. "Lake trout are often cruising the shallows during this time and offer opportunities to tie into some large fish, which often move to shelves, humps and other deep-water structures later in the summer," said Alex LeCheminant, Game and Fish fisheries biologist in the Pinedale Region.
The Green and New Fork rivers offer some great fishing before peak runoff begins from late April through the end of May. Fish often hold in deep, slow runs at this time of year. Once runoff subsides and trout begin to look up, dry fly-fishing is expected to be excellent this summer.
Colorado River cutthroat trout in many of the region's headwater streams and lakes offer solid fishing in some of the most breathtaking backdrops in the state. North Horse Creek in the Wyoming Range is expected to fish well this year. North Piney Lake is worth the trip, where cutthroat exceeding 14 inches continue to be abundant. Accessing this lake requires a 4.5-mile hike or ATV ride from the North Piney Trailhead. Anglers are reminded the lake is closed to fishing from June 1-July 15 each year.
Researchers at Colorado State University working cooperatively with Game and Fish discovered the presence of whirling disease in the LaBarge Creek watershed. The disease, caused by a microscopic parasite, can affect juvenile salmonids and in some cases lead to mortality. Game and Fish plans to increase the number of large, catchable-sized cutthroat trout stocked in the drainage. These larger fish are less susceptible to whirling disease and provide angling opportunities while biologists continue to mitigate potential effects of the disease on cutthroat recruitment.
"Anglers are encouraged to continue fishing in LaBarge Creek, while making sure to always clean, drain and dry their waders, boots and other fishing equipment after every trip to avoid further spread of whirling disease," LeCheminant said.
North Piney Creek on the Bridger-Teton National Forest is expected to be good for brook trout. Other brook trout waters expected to be solid include Gypsum, Jim and Tepee creeks - located in the upper Green River drainage.
Sheridan Region:
Andrew Nikirk, Game and Fish fisheries biologist in the Sheridan Region, said Keyhole Reservoir should be good for walleye and northern pike based on the last few surveys. Nikirk added crappie numbers in Keyhole have "dipped a bit in recent years."
Healy Reservoir near Buffalo has good numbers and sizes of largemouth bass and tiger muskie, along with walleye up to 18 inches.
Rainbow trout are the most plentiful species in Lake DeSmet north of Buffalo with fish commonly between 14-18 inches.
There are brown trout in Lake DeSmet, and an expanding population of lake trout with several in the 14-20-inch range and some trophy-sized fish in deeper water. There also are trophy-sized walleye with some fish more than 10 pounds.
Nikirk described Sand Creek near Beulah as "awesome," with nearly 3,000 fish per mile larger than 6 inches.
The outlook in the Bighorn Mountains looks promising.
"This area truly offers anglers tons of opportunities," Nikirk said. "Most every river or stream offers brook, brown and rainbow trout. The North Tongue, South Tongue and Middle Fork Powder rivers are the most popular with anglers.
"In the Sheridan Region there are 64 high-alpine lakes in the Cloud Peak Wilderness with fish. Some hikes are easier than others, but the scenery is amazing."
-Robert Gagliardi
Photo: WGFD
