Fishing in Wyoming: Complete Guide

Wyoming is trout country at its finest. The state that holds Yellowstone National Park, the Wind River Range, and the headwaters of the Snake, Green, and North Platte rivers offers some of the best trout fishing in the western United States. Native Yellowstone cutthroat trout still swim in many of the same streams they have inhabited for thousands of years. The big reservoirs like Flaming Gorge and Yellowstone Lake offer trophy lake trout and walleye. And the whole operation takes place against a backdrop of mountains, sagebrush, and wide-open sky that makes every fishing trip feel like an expedition into genuinely wild country. Wyoming has fewer anglers per mile of stream than almost any state in the Lower 48 - and that is a big part of the appeal.

Fishing License in Wyoming

Anyone 14 or older needs a fishing license to fish in Wyoming. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department sells licenses online, at regional offices, and at license agents throughout the state.

Age exemptions: Children under 14 fish free in Wyoming. Youth ages 14-17 get a deeply discounted resident license. Residents 65 and older qualify for a reduced rate. No separate trout stamp is needed - your license covers all species.

Special permits: No additional stamps or endorsements are required for any species in Wyoming. Your fishing license covers everything from trout to walleye. A conservation stamp is included in the license fee. Fishing in Yellowstone National Park requires a separate park fishing permit, not a state license.

Buy your license or check current fees on the Wyoming Game and Fish website.

Top 10 Fishing Spots in Wyoming

From world-famous rivers to hidden alpine lakes, these are the best places to fish in the Cowboy State.

Popular Fish Species in Wyoming

Wyoming is primarily a trout state, with several species of trout dominating the fishing scene. Here is what you will encounter most.

Seasonal Fishing Calendar

Wyoming's high elevation and harsh winters create a compressed but intense fishing season. Here is when each species is at its best.

Fishing Regulations in Wyoming

Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages fishing regulations. Rules are generally straightforward but vary by water body. Here are the essentials.

• Fishing hours: Fishing is allowed 24 hours a day on most waters in Wyoming. Some special regulation areas may have restricted hours.
• Rod limit: Anglers may use up to 2 rods or lines at a time. Ice fishing allows 3 lines per angler.
• Live bait: Live bait is legal in most waters but prohibited on many blue-ribbon trout streams. Always check the specific water regulations. Transporting live fish between waters is illegal.
• Catch and release: Many premier trout waters have special catch-and-release regulations or reduced limits. The Yellowstone River inside the park is artificials only with barbless hooks.
• Yellowstone National Park: The park requires its own fishing permit (not a state license). Different rules apply inside the park, including species-specific regulations for native cutthroat trout.
• Cutthroat conservation: Many waters have special regulations to protect native cutthroat trout, including mandatory release of all cutthroats and removal of lake trout to protect native populations.

Download the current regulations from the Wyoming Game and Fish regulations page.

Tips for Fishing in Wyoming

Plan around runoff

Wyoming's rivers blow out during spring snowmelt, typically from mid-May through late June. The North Platte, Snake, and Green rivers all run high and muddy during this period. Plan your river trips for July through September when flows stabilize and water clarity returns. The tailwaters below dams (Grey Reef, Yellowtail) are the exception - they fish well year-round because the dam controls the flow.

Fish the park in September

Yellowstone National Park fishing is best in September and early October. The summer crowds thin out, the Yellowstone cutthroat trout are feeding aggressively before winter, and the fall colors in the park are spectacular. Hopper patterns on the Yellowstone River and Lamar Valley streams produce some of the best dry fly fishing of the year. Bear activity increases in fall, so carry spray and make noise.

Float the Bighorn for numbers

If you want to catch a lot of large trout in a single day, the Bighorn River below Yellowtail Dam is where you go. Hire a guide for a drift boat trip and expect to catch 20-40 fish in a day, many over 16 inches. Nymphing with scuds and sow bugs is the primary technique, but dry fly fishing with PMDs and caddis works well during hatches. The river fishes well even in winter.

Backpack into the Winds

The Wind River Range alpine lakes offer a fishing experience you cannot get anywhere else in the Lower 48. Golden trout, cutthroat, and brook trout in lakes surrounded by 13,000-foot peaks. Plan a 3-7 day backpacking trip in July through September. Pack a lightweight rod and a small selection of small spinners and dry flies. The trout see very few lures and are usually willing biters.

Target walleye at Boysen and Glendo

Wyoming is not just a trout state. Boysen and Glendo reservoirs hold excellent walleye populations that most visiting anglers ignore. Spring and fall are the best windows - jigging with nightcrawlers along rocky structure and the old river channels is the most productive method. Walleye over 8 pounds are caught regularly, and the competition for good water is minimal compared to the famous trout rivers.

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