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Interest in fishing has gradually increased in Wyoming for years. There was no upward trend until 2020, when the COVID pandemic closed cinemas and summer camps, concerts and rodeos.

And those who set out were rewarded with lots of fish, from brown trout in Wyoming’s high mountain lakes and streams to reservoirs filled with pikeperch, trout and catfish.

Whether or not the same crowds will flood the area again remains to be seen.

“After last year, I don’t know what to expect,” said Matt Hahn, Casper fisheries director for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. “But from what we’ve seen so far this year, it was closer to the normal numbers.”

At least, he said, at some of the reservoirs in the Casper area. But these pikeperch anglers can head to Glendo Reservoir for historic pikeperch fishing.

Historic fishing, or at least solid fishing, is what anglers will see across the state this summer. Fishery biologists report large numbers of fish and good conditions.

They also ask anyone who sets out – new or experienced – to respect the increase in other anglers and to use the resource carefully.

“Give the people space and leeway,” said Bobby Compton, Laramie fisheries chief. “We all want to love it, but respect and share it.”

With these tips on hand, the Star Tribune met fishing experts across the state to see what the summer season would be like on the water.

Central

Anglers can expect some of the best zander populations in Glendo Reservoirs story, said Hahn. And people take advantage and flock to the shores and boat ramps of the eastern Wyoming reservoir.

Walleye fishing usually tapers off in early summer when the stomach shadow takes off and the predators have plenty of food. But the pikeperch populations are so high that Hahn predicts that they might put some strain on the shade, so the fishing will remain good until mid-July. Crappie fishing is good too.

Zander populations are strong in Pathfinder Reservoir, and fishing usually starts in June or July and then stays good all summer. Go to Alcova reservoir for excellent trout fishing. The Kokanee, Cutthroat, and Rainbow numbers are all good, and anglers can find happiness from the boat or from the shore.

The Miracle Mile A section of the North Platte River is worth fishing for and is unlikely to change. However, if the rivers begin to sink in August, wade fishing will improve. Cardwell and Gray reef Fishing is as productive as ever.

Hahn warns against this Goldeneye Reservoir is full of white suckers and not so many trout. Fisheries officials might consider storing a sterile predatory fish like a tiger musk to help.

South east

The waters of southeast Wyoming are slowly warming. Hawk Springs and Gray rocks The reservoirs are starting to fish well for pikeperch and crappie and should last through summer. The Laramie Plains Lakes had a pulse of spawning rainbows and anglers are now using chironomid patterns, which should work by June. Expect the Kokanee bite to increase from late June to July.

For anyone looking for Kokanee, Compton recommends Rob Roy Reservoir by doing Snowy Range as another good fishery.

The high seas of the Snowy Range should fish well for trout as soon as they open after the snow has melted. Although the lakes were fished hard last summer, most anglers released the caught fish, which means that despite the rare stockings, populations should still be strong.

The runoff is likely to begin earlier in June than normal this year and will take less time to complete due to the below average snowpack. Compton said anglers should try this Laramie River Wait in front of the drain in early June and then wait until July when it ends. The North Platte and warehouse Rivers will be similarly early.

A low snowpack is not particularly suitable for fishing as it will warm up earlier in the fall. However, after last summer’s historic Mullen Fire, this can be a mixed blessing in the Snowy Range.

“We don’t see as much ash flowing if it was really flood,” said Compton.

Northeast

Streams and lakes over 7,000 feet in the Bighorn Mountains aren’t fishable right now, but they should be great this summer, said Luke Todd, owner of The Sports Lure in Buffalo.

If you want to fish now, try the lower prairie lakes in the east of the state. Anglers do well too Lake DeSmet, Catch Kokanee and Lake Trout over 20 pounds.

Todd reiterated the advice of fisheries biologists that anyone relaxing in the bighorns this summer should be aware of the resources and respect other anglers. Tens of thousands of people were housed in the bighorns at one point last summer. Enjoy the mountains and streams, he said, but also take care of them.

west

The trout are fishing in Boysen reservoir is “fantastic” according to Craig Amadio, Chief Fisheries Officer at Lander. Anglers catch 24- to 25-inch rainbow trout that push 5 pounds. Biologists wonder if the reservoir has not overflowed the overflow in recent years, meaning that all of these fish have largely been withheld. Zander fishing was slow after spawning but should improve.

The low, small reservoirs east of Lander in the Beaver edge Land are studded with catchable rainbows and are well worth a visit.

The runoff makes the rivers muddy and the mountains are still covered in snow, but when they open in late June, Amadio said the golden trout are fishing in the area Wind River Range is better than it probably ever was.

“We have had a steady supply of golden trout now, and have been for about a decade, so our alpine waters are regularly replenished,” he said.

Pilot Butte Reservoir also fishes very well for fatty, healthy 16- to 18-inch rainbow trout and Ocean Lake has plenty of pikeperch in the 12- to 16-inch range.

Fishing in Fontenelle Reservoir is really good too, said Green River Fisheries Chief Robb Keith. Expect 16 to 21 inches of Kokanee. And as always, go to Flaming Gorge Reservoir for an abundance of lake trout.

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