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Fishing the Green River. Pinedale Online photo.

Fishing

Pinedale, Wyoming

Dad and son fishing together. Photo by Pinedale Online.

Left: Float fishing the Green River
Above:
Kid's Fishing Day at the CCC Ponds
Pinedale Online photos

Fishing in Wyoming

The Pinedale area is a fisherman's delight. Fish deep glacial lakes and crystal clear mountain streams and rivers, all while enjoying the majestic Rocky Mountain scenery. Fremont, Boulder, Burnt, Green River, Half Moon, New Fork and Willow lakes are full of Mackinaw and rainbow trout. Kokanee can also be found in the deep water of Fremont, New Fork, and Boulder. Grayling can be found in Meadow Lake. Cutthroat trout, the only fish species native to Wyoming, are found occasionally in Green River Lakes and Big Sandy River. Gypsum Creek and Tosi Creek are primarily Brook trout fisheries. If you're up for a hike into the back country, you can fish for Golden trout which are stocked in alpine lakes such as Clear Lake, Joe's Lake, Upper and Middle Sweeney Lakes, Hobbs Lake, and Peak Lake to name a few. Remember to obtain a Wyoming fishing license before heading out to catch the big one. Licenses are available at local sporting goods stores and the Game and Fish Department in Pinedale (307) 367-4353.

Fish Species
Trout! We have sport fishing for native Colorado cutthroat, brown trout, brook trout, lake trout and golden trout. Mackinaw, mountain whitefish and even fresh-water salmon, can be found in the larger area lakes. (Fish Species)

Public Access
Approximately 80% of our county is public land that offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities. Anyone may wade, float, or fish from the river's bank along public land. Anglers can enjoy a quick afternoon casting a spin, or go on multi-day adventures into the high mountains of the nearby wilderness areas to try their luck in high mountain lakes and streams. There are many public access fishing locations. (Green River Fishing Access Map)

Lakes
There are many lakes near Pinedale that offer fishing opportunities, including one just for kids right in the middle of town in the town park. Fremont Lake is the nearest large lake, just four miles from Pinedale. This glacial lake is eleven miles long and over 600 feet deep with several public boat launches and uncrowded lakeshore fishing access. Many fishermen eagerly await the May opening day of Soda Lake near Pinedale. Green River Lakes, north of Pinedale, is a very scenic lake adjacent to the Bridger Wilderness in the northern Wind River Mountains. It is also the headwaters for the famous Green River. Many local outfitters and guides offer backcountry fishing trips for those wanting a multi-day trip into the high country to fish.

River and Stream Fishing
The Green and New Fork Rivers offer excellent fly fishing with miles of public access. Fishermen enjoy casting from the bank as well as drift boat fishing both of these rivers. Fishermen must obtain landowner permission to fish along private land. There are hundreds of miles of tributary streams that flow into the Green and New Fork Rivers. Most are accessible by backcountry roads. Maps are available from the Bridger-Teton National Forest and Bureau of Land Management local area offices. Regulations vary widely on fish creel limits, size, and season for different sections of even the same stream. Be sure to check with the Wyoming Game & Fish Department for the regulations for the specific waters you plan to fish.

Ice Fishing
Many local lakes freeze solid during the winter with 17-24” of ice surface. Ice fishing is a popular sport in January and February. Popular ice fishing lakes include Fremont, Boulder and Half Moon lakes near Pinedale and Middle Piney Lake in the Wyoming Range near Big Piney. Many people use snowmobiles to access their favorite fishing spots. The local Pinedale Lions Club sponsors an annual ice fishing derby each March. The ice conditions vary each winter, so it is important to check on current conditions for the waters you plan to fish before heading out. Wyoming Game & Fish regulations vary for different bodies of water for ice fishing, so check the regs for the area you will be fishing. (More Ice Fishing information)

Fishing Derbies
There are many local fishing events in both the summer and winter in the area. Derbies are sponsored by the Pinedale Lions Club and local organizations and government agencies.

March: Fremont Lake Ice Fishing Derby
June: Kid's Fishing Day at the CCC Ponds
June: Father's Day Fishing Derby on Fremont Lake

For more area information:
Pinedale Ranger District
Bridger-Teton National Forest
29 E Fremont Lake Road
PO Box 220
Pinedale, WY 82941
Phone: 307-367-4326

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