LAKE FISHING
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The bite is on in Wyoming! Most people picture river fishing when they think of Wyoming, but the state is home to thousands of impressive lakes and reservoirs that can provide sizable catches. While nearly every body of water in the state contains trout, there are a wide variety of other fish that are swimming in Wyoming waters. Lake fishing is a popular pastime for residents here, and each year, thousands of visitors come to enjoy the bountiful fishing that Wyoming offers. Both warm water and cold water lakes are found in Wyoming and within each can be found an array of fish.
Wyoming contains over 27,000 miles of streams and rivers, 4,200 lakes, and four reservoirs. This tremendous quantity of water is fed by glacial melting of the surrounding mountain ranges. Lake trout can dwarf their stream-dwelling relatives, with many specimens stretching well over two feet in length and weighing as much as 50 pounds. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a first-time fly fisher, anglers of all types can find waters fit to their liking in the mountains and valleys in and around the Glamping on the Greys campsite.
The Little Greys River, a tributary of the Snake River, slices right through the land surrounding the camp and is teeming with Snake River Fine Spotted Cutthroat Trout and brown trout. Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park delivers some of the finest lake fishing in the West and is best for early and late-season fishing. Lake trout and brookies abound here, and the daily limits are higher for fish harvested from lakes than from streams. The daily limit for brook trout is 16 fish and six for a combination of splake and lake trout. Wyoming contains both cold water and warm water lakes and the fishing is rewarding in each. The warmer waters further south are where the bass fishing can be found, along with catfish and walleye in the state’s reservoirs. Find out more about Glamping on the Greys fishing packages.
Both fly fishing and spin or lure fishing are popular and suitable here, though fishing with artificial flies is the preferred methods in the Jackson Hole area.
It is largely up to personal preference, but spin fishing will probably result in more fish for dinner if that’s your bag. When lake fishing, you can encounter fish that are of a much larger size than in moving water and you may benefit from using a heavier rod. Fly fishing loyalists will find that the lakes and reservoirs in Wyoming provide an equally rewarding experience as fishing in moving bodies of water.
Ice fishing is what makes fishing a year-round activity in Wyoming. Once the lakes and reservoirs freeze over, what lies beneath them is a sea of hungry Mackinaws who’ve long waited to see a good meal. Ice fishing provides a unique experience that not many people who live in warmer areas have the opportunity to try. It requires a totally different kind of gear than fly fishing or bait and lure fishing. Ice fishing in Wyoming involves primarily jigging with light rods through holes dug into the ice and is typically a sport reserved for the most devoted of anglers.
The Palisades Reservoir offers year-round fishing in the form of ice fishing, fly fishing and rod-and-reel fishing. With brown, cutthroat, rainbow, brooke and lake trout, you won’t find a broader assortment of trout anywhere else in Wyoming. Lake char, white sucker and mountain whitefish have also been hooked here.
In Grand Teton National Park, there are numerous lakes bursting with trout. All of these can be easily accessed from the Glamping on the Greys campsite. The famous Jenny Lake is brimming with cutthroat, brown and rainbow trout and features a number of prime lake fishing spots along its shores or you can take a boat out into the deeper parts of the lake. Jackson Lake is well stocked with trout, bluegill, salmon, pike and largemouth bass. Many people who fish here report catching their quota well before the end of the day. String Lake and Leigh Lake are a mile apart from one another in Grand Teton Park and each is a spectacular place to fish for trout with artificial flies
Wyoming waters are bursting with trout of all kinds, though the Snake River Fine Spotted cutthroat is the only fish species native to Wyoming. Despite this, there are four species of cutthroat trout that can be found when fishing in Wyoming. In addition to these, one can find brown, rainbow, brook, and golden trout. Lake fishing will turn up some larger specimens, with some tipping the scales at nearly 50 pounds in the ample lakes fed by the sprawling Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Some of the Mackinaws (also known as lake trout) swimming in the depths of Wyoming’s lakes are over 40 years old and weigh over 50 pounds.
Wyoming waters are a treat for bass fishermen and those who prefer warm-water fishing. Many of those who come to fish in Wyoming are looking to hook bass, and they are rarely disappointed. The bass fish in Wyoming are found in Flaming George Reservoir, Bighorn Lake, and Guernsey Reservoir as well as a number of smaller streams and ponds throughout the state.
To take advantage of the wonderful lake fishing that Wyoming has to offer, obtain a fishing permit from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. For fishing in either the Grand Tetons or Yellowstone, you will need to purchase an additional conservation stamp.
A number of Wyoming lakes cater to wade fishing or bankside fishing; however, most people want to be able to fish the deeper portions of the lakes. These areas are where the bigger fish are found, and access will require renting a boat. As with most fishing, the equipment you’ll need to have will largely depend on the time of year you plan to go. Lake fishing can be done by boat, bankside or wading in. During the summer months, the trout tend to stay in the middle, as it’s the coolest part of the lake. As temperatures drop and the surrounding water cools, they will venture closer to the shores. The Bridger Teton Mountain Range produces innumerable opportunities for fishing and is truly a bucket-list experience for fishing enthusiasts.
Having an experienced guide who knows the water like the back of their hand is the only way to make the most of your time fishing in unfamiliar waters. Your experienced guide will take you directly to the best spots for that particular season and/or time of day in order to make the experience as action-packed as possible.
Wyoming’s unique laws concerning river access make it so that you may drift in a boat through the privately owned land in between the state parks, virtually eliminating any barriers to fishing the waters. Glamping on the Greys organizes all-inclusive fishing trips with some of the most experienced fly fishermen around the Jackson Hole area. Many of our guides grew up here and have all spent decades out on the water and have a wealth of knowledge to share about the local fishing.
In addition to fishing, we offer guided horseback rides, swimming, wagon rides and a host of other activities for your group to enjoy. If you’re looking to experience the fishing trip of a lifetime, contact us to find out more about our all-inclusive vacation packages.
