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Fishing in Wyoming
Wyoming Fishing at a Glance
With 14 reservoirs, 4,200 lakes, 27,000 miles of rivers and streams and over 60 different species of fish, the fishing opportunities are almost endless in Wyoming. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, an angler, flyfisher or hardened ice fisher, the Cowboy State offers multi-level all year round fishing for everybody.
A required fishing license can be obtained online or at any Game and Fish office. Please check the links below for details about licenses and any specific regulations in effect for the body of water you’re fishing in.
The most popular fish caught in Wyoming are trout, bass, walleye, and catfish.
In fact, there are so many options that it can be hard to know where to start in Wyoming, but our favorite public spots include the Snake River, Yellowstone River, and Jackson Lake. Each of these bodies of water is home to a variety of fish species, so it’s important to do some research beforehand to ensure you’re targeting the right fish.
Wyoming ranks #2 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita and has a good number of local fishing enthusiasts with over 42.19% of the population having fishing licenses.
Key Insights
- Wyoming offers diverse fishing opportunities with 14 reservoirs, 4,200 lakes, 27,000 miles of rivers and streams, and over 60 different fish species.
- A fishing license is required and can be obtained online or at any Game and Fish office.
- The most popular fish caught in Wyoming are trout, bass, walleye, and catfish.
- Recommended public fishing spots include the Snake River, Yellowstone River, and Jackson Lake, but research is important to target the right fish species.
- Wyoming ranks #2 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita with over 42.19% of the population having fishing licenses.
Table of Contents
Estimated Fishing Enthusiasts
| Population: | 576,851 |
|---|---|
| Fishing Enthusiasts | 243,370 |
| Fishing License % | 42.19% |
| Hunters Rank | 2 |
Land Types (Acres)
| Acres | % | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 62,147,200 | ||
| Public | 33,964,230 | 54.65% | 5 |
| Private | 26,273,570 | 42.28% | 45 |
| Tribal | 1,909,400 | 3.07% | 7 |
Wyoming Fishing Licenses & Requirements
For the most accurate and updated information on fishing licenses and requirements, it’s always a good idea to check the Wyoming DNR. We’ve provided their contact information and other helpful information for your convenience here.
Wyoming DNR
5400 Bishop Blvd
Cheyenne, WY 82006
- (307) 777-4600
If you’re looking for a unique fishing experience in Wyoming, the five most popular river or stream fish to catch are brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout and mountain whitefish. Every species has a special set of characteristics that make catching them both challenging and exciting. Brown trout are the biggest among the five fishes and can grow up to four feet in length. They usually live in slower-moving waters and love cooler temperatures. Rainbow trout have beautiful colors ranging from golden to bright pink that give them their name, and tend to live in faster-flowing rivers and streams. Cutthroat trout also call cold-water habitats home and stand out for their vivid colors – even though they are smaller than brown or rainbow trout, they can still reach up to two feet long. Brook trout are the smallest of the five reaching about eight inches fully grown. The dark coloration with light spots makes them difficult to spot in murky water. Mountain whitefish are also small, but very popular among Wyoming’s anglers.
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Fishing private land in Wyoming
Fishing on private land in Wyoming has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Wyoming or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.
1. The Snake River
2. Yellowstone Lake
3. Jackson Lake
4. The Green River
5. The Laramie River
Fishing private land in Wyoming
Fishing on private land in Wyoming has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Wyoming or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.