Here Are the Best Fish in Wyoming Worth Chasing

Quick Take

• One fish on Wyoming's best list is so light-sensitive it only feeds at certain times of day, and missing that window means you'll go home empty-handed. Walleye feeding behavior →
• Wyoming's most beginner-friendly game fish disguises itself as something far more intimidating, and it turns a shocking color you won't expect. Kokanee's surprising colors →
• The fish anglers prize most for its size hides in the last place most people think to cast, and the best season to catch it is not summer. Best seasons for lake trout →
• Wyoming holds over 27,000 miles of rivers and 4,200+ lakes, yet only a handful of specific spots actually hold the fish worth chasing.

Wyoming is a top fishing destination because it offers over 27,000 miles of rivers, more than 4,200 lakes, and world-class freshwater sport fish populations. However, there are so many great fishing opportunities in Wyoming that it can be difficult to decide which fish species to target. To help make things simple, we’ve put together this short fishing guide. Read on to discover the best fish to catch in Wyoming and where to find them.

1. Smallmouth Bass

A few familiar names for smallmouth bass include black bass, brown bass, and bronze bass. These fish are brownish-bronze in color with dark bars on their sides and pale undersides. Their dorsal fin is continuous with a shallow notch. Most smallmouth bass run between 1-2 pounds. However, some of the larger ones can exceed 10 pounds. Smallmouth bass are fast, strong, and active. They’re superb jumpers and have a reputation for being one of the best fighters in the black bass group.

Keep an eye out for these fish in fast-flowing streams and rock-strewn lakes. Rocky areas are some of the best places to fish for smallmouth. You might even get lucky and find smallmouth and largemouth bass hanging out together by the rocky sectors. The best time to fish for smallmouth bass in Wyoming is late spring through early summer, generally in May and June when water temperatures begin to warm. Some of the top destinations for smallmouth bass include Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Bighorn Lake, Guernsey Reservoir, Grayrocks Reservoir, and Wheatland Reservoir No. 1.

2. Crappie

There are two crappie species, black and white, and Wyoming is home to both. These fish belong to the sunfish family, which also includes bass and bluegills. Black crappie are rounder and darker colored, with random dark blotches on their sides. White crappie are paler, longer, and slimmer with faint, vertical stripes on their sides. Both species reach similar average lengths of around 8 to 12 inches, and they generally weigh 0.5-2 pounds.

Lakes and rivers are the best places to find crappie hotspots. When choosing the right spot to cast from, look for fish shelters, cypress trees, and shallow ledges. Flooded willows and isolated stumps are also crappie hotspots. The best time to fish for crappie is the late spring and early summer, particularly May and June when water temperatures warm up and fish move into shallow water to feed and spawn. The top destinations for crappie fishing are Boysen Reservoir, Glendo Reservoir, and Keyhole Reservoir, which are warm-water fisheries known to have large populations of both black and white crappie.

3. Walleye

The walleye is one of the most elusive but best fish to catch in Wyoming this summer. Their secretive nature has intrigued generations of anglers. These golden-olive, torpedo-shaped fish typically measure 15 to 17 inches long and weigh under 5 pounds. These fish also have a reflective layer in their eyes called the tapetum lucidum that helps them see in low light.

As a cool water species, walleye prefer intermediate temperatures. This differs from cold water fish like trout. The best time to fish for walleye is May and June when they move to shallow, rocky areas to spawn. In clear water, they tend to feed at dusk and dawn. If the light levels are reduced, you can find walleye feeding in the middle of the day. Top locations for walleye are Glendo Reservoir, Grayrocks Reservoir, Boysen Reservoir, Keyhole Reservoir, and Lake DeSmet.

4. Lake Trout (Mackinaw)

Lake trout are prized by Wyoming anglers for their size and the challenge of catching them. lake trout typically weigh 5 to 30 pounds and measure 30 to 40 inches. However, they occasionally top out at 50 pounds or more. They’re a good fish for experienced and new anglers. Even though they’re strong fighters, they’re not particularly showy. Lake trout have dark, blue-grey or olive-grey bodies covered in small, light spots.

Lake trout typically favor very deep water where it’s nice and cold. The best time to fish for lake trout in Wyoming is during the fall in October and November when they move into shallower waters to spawn and feed. Winter from January through April is also productive for ice fishing. Top hotspots include Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone Lake, and Fremont Lake.

5. Kokanee Salmon

Last on our list is the kokanee salmon, which is a landlocked freshwater form of sockeye salmon. The kokanee salmon is a great game fish for beginners. They fight well on light tackle but are still easy to reel in. These fish are usually a silvery color but they turn a vibrant red during the spawning season. They usually measure between 12 to 20 inches and 1 to 3 pounds on average.

Kokanee salmon are fall spawners, so late summer through early fall in August and September is the best time to fish for them. The fish move closer to shore or into tributaries and become more aggressive as they prepare for their annual spawn. Some of the best destinations to fish for these salmon include Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Alcova Reservoir, Fremont Lake, and Boulder Lake. The kokanee salmon is actively stocked throughout the state by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.