Fishing

Fishing

It may seem odd that some of the best coldwater fishing in the country is found in this arid desert environment. But given the combination of tail waters, man-made lakes and reservoirs, mountain lakes, streams and rivers, this is a trout fisherman’s paradise. In addition, cold-water lakes like Flaming Gorge, Fremont Lake, Half Moon Lake and Burnt Lake tempt local and out of state fisherman with abundant trout filled water. Four types of cutthroat trout are native to Wyoming rivers and golden, brook, brown, mackinaw and rainbow trout have been introduced into the environment over the years. 

The lower segment of the Green River, south of Fontenelle Reservoir, is home to lake, rainbow and brown trout, as well as channel catfish, mountain whitefish, smallmouth bass and Snake River cutthroat. Fisherman can access the lower Green River along Wyoming 372 and US 189. South of Fort Bridger and Mountain View exits from Interstate 80, Blacks Fork River also offers several different types of trout. At Big Sandy Reservoir located about 10 miles northeast of Farson on US-191, one can expect to hook the regular trout varieties and an occasional channel catfish. 

Fontenelle Reservoir is a mere 18 miles south of Rock Springs off of US-189. Fontenelle has schools of kokanee salmon in addition to trout. The 90-mile stretch of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir is home brown trout, lake trout, rainbow trout, channel catfish, kokanee salmon and small mouth bass. Other prime waterways for fisherman include: Jim Bridger Pond, Boulder Creek, Hams Fork, LaBarge Creek and spots along the Green River like Daniel junction, Warren Bridge, National Forest and North Fork Road.

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing on the Flaming Gorge can be very good for burbot and rainbows, beginning in mid-December. Anglers also target lake trout through the ice. Smaller lake trout range freely and are often caught by anglers fishing for rainbows.

In general, smaller fish are caught on the north end of the reservoir and the fish become larger as the ice progresses southward. The Firehole on the Green River arm, Halfway Hollow on the Black's Fork arm, and the Confluence area are all popular with ice fishermen after lake trout. Fish 18-21 inches long are commonly caught.

Burbot were illegally introduced into the Green River drainage in Wyoming. These fish have made their way into the Gorge. Burbot compete with other fish, so it's unfortunate that they're in the reservoir, but they also provide great ice fishing. Burbot look somewhat like a cod, and they get active under the ice during the winter.

Most of the burbot in Flaming Gorge are in the upper end of the reservoir, in both the Blacks Fork and Green River arms. The best areas to start fishing are near the Firehole boat ramp, the Lost Dog area, any rocky points in the Blacks Fork River arm, and points in the Confluence area.

Each winter a “Burbot Bash” is held on the Flaming Gorge in January. The Burbot Bash features hands on presentations of angling techniques, filleting and cooking tips on preparing the fish and a fish fry. It also includes a presentation from the Game and Fish on population studies of the fish in the reservoir. There is no entry fee and prizes are given away.

Helpful Links:
http://gf.state.wy.us/services/news/RegionalNews/GreenRiver/index.asp
http://www.fws.gov/seedskadee/fishing.htm
http://gf.state.wy.us/
Forest Service Outfitter Guide
BLM Fishing Map
BLM Fishing Brochure
BLM Fisheries