Three Days of Fishing Not even three months would be enough time to fish the whole state, but here's a three-day sampling to show you what's out there. By Dina Mishev
Lake Fishing in the Bighorns
Wyoming's 96,000 square miles have so many rivers, streams, creeks, ponds, marshes and lakes that all of the bodies of water aren't named. And if we can't even get them named over the course of the 200 years white men have been naming things in this area, you certainly aren't going to be able to fish them in three days. What three days is perfect for however is to sample three very different types of fishing found in our various waters: lake/reservoir fishing, river float fishing and remote backcountry fishing. To keep your driving to a minimum, our fish-friendly itinerary focuses on one area of the state – the Bighorn Basin in the northwest.
Day 1: Lake Fishing, Bighorn Lake, outside Lovell
In 1966, the federal government took the variable waters of the Bighorn River and tamed them with a dam, creating one of Wyoming's best fishing lakes in the process. Bighorn Lake extends for 71 miles through Montana and Wyoming (31 of the miles are in Wyoming). Whether out on the giant lake itself, or on a narrow stretch inside the Bighorn Canyon, you'll find no shortage of brown and rainbow trout and other game species like Black Crappie, Burbot (Ling), Channel Catfish, Sauger, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch. Wyomingfishing.net ranks Bighorn Lake as the third best lake in the state for
River Fishing In Sync Productions
fishing. I'd bump it up to number one because of the scenery. When your arm gets tired from casting and pulling giant trout in, start warming up for Day 3 (backcountry fishing) by taking a short hike on the 120,000 acres of the surrounding Bighorn National Recreation Area. Oh, if you're passing through in the winter, there's quite the ice fishing scene on this lake too.
Day 2: River Fishing, Bighorn River, outside Manderson
Some of the state's biggest trout have been pulled from the Bighorn River. It's no wonder then that it is considered, by some, to be the best trout stream in the continental U.S. (it's got both rainbows and browns) as well as the best brown trout fishery in the world. (Of course when using such superlatives to describe any fishing area, there is always lively dispute.) The river was actually closed to fishing from 1975 to 1981 because of Native American disputes, but fishermen the country over breathed a sigh of relief when these were resolved.
So what's so special about this river? For starters, it's a tail-water fishery. That means that A, it is downstream of a dam; B, the water is cool in the summer and C, the water is ice free in the winter (this last allows for a longer growing season for the trout, which
Backcountry Fishing Fred Pflughoft
in turn allows for huge fish). And, not to get too scientific, but the surrounding limestone geology allows for large populations of mayflies and fresh water crustaceans, which happen to be excellent food sources for the fish, so there are lots of fish. Top these large numbers of large fish with a small number of anglers and you do have one of the best trout streams in the country. There are spots you can wade the river, but I recommend floating it instead.
Day 3: Fishpacking, Cloud Peak Wilderness, Bighorn National Forest
Get yourself to the Shell Creek Trailhead (Forest Service Rd 17 to 271 will get you there from Highway 16) and then hike in the few miles on trail #32 to Shell Lakes. The sweat and effort will be worth it when you hook fish after fish after fish. You see, Shell Lakes are in the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Wilderness fish – as wilderness areas can only be accessed via foot or horse – are not that used to seeing fishermen. (Sadly – but good for you – the majority of fishermen prefer waters with easier, i.e., no sweating required, access.) You can fly fish or use bait here. Spend a night or two and enjoy trout for breakfast and dinner. There are few things in the world better than catching, and cooking, your own meals, miles away from the nearest paved road and without another person in sight.
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