Ernest Hemingway visited Sheridan with two objectives. The first was to get away from the distractions of civilization so he could finish his novel, A Farewell to Arms. The second objective was to head for the Folly Ranch, where there were trophy size trout to be caught.
Like Hemingway, the waters of Wyoming have aroused the curiosity of fishermen for decades. With over 4,000 lakes, 27,000 miles of streams, and unparalleled beauty, anglers are welcomed to a fishing paradise.
From the cold water creeks and streams of the Bighorn Mountains to the warm water tributaries flowing through the lowlands, pristine habitat for a variety of fish species is abundant in Sheridan County. Expect to hook into cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and largemouth bass. For the lucky few, storybook beasts like the legendary tiger muskie and the golden trout can be found. When planning your trip bring a couple rods, and pack your waders to aid you in your quest of exploring the depths in Sheridan County.
8 Types of Fish in Wyoming You Need to Catch
Here are 8 of the most fascinating fish that you may hook onto while dipping a line in Sheridan’s many fishing areas.
1. Trophy-Sized Bass
Imagine a fish with a green back and a bucket for a mouth scooping its prey up in one swift motion. Clad with scales and a spiny dorsal fin, these pond monsters have a massive appetite. No matter if the bait on the top of the water, or in the depths below, largemouth bass are one of the most aggressive fish Sheridan County has to offer.
When to Catch Bass
The best time to catch one of these brutes is in mid to late spring roughly around May and June. During this time, bass seem to become more aggressive as the temperature of the water begins to rise. One of the best ways to see this aggression is by fishing topwater lures. Whether your popper is on a spinning or fly rod, a few shakes to lure could result in an explosion on the water’s surface.
Where to Catch Bass
The Kleenburn Ponds, a scenic natural area with fishing opportunities and wildlife viewing, are home to monstrous largemouth bass. In 2018, an 11.51 lb largemouth bass was caught, shattering Wyoming’s record by four pounds and was one of the largest to ever be caught west of the Mississippi River. Just a few steps away from the Kleenburn Ponds, is the Tongue River, another great spot for bass fishing.
Suggested lures: Poppers, Frogs, Minnows, and Crawfish
2. Tiger Muskie
This fabled hybrid can be found in a few ponds in the Sheridan area. They are a cross breed between the muskellunge and northern pike. As their name suggests, tiger muskie are marked by vertical black tiger stripes, and like a pike have very sharp teeth. The Tiger Muskie’s reputation proceeds itself as being the fish of 10,000 casts; as they are a true treasure to any angler who has the patience to catch them. Tiger Muskies are a sterile breed and are unable to reproduce, making this an incredible and rare catch for anglers. If you catch one, be sure to take photos as no one will believe you otherwise.
When to Catch Tiger Muskie
The best time to catch tiger muskie is when the water starts to warm up in the summer or during the fall months of September and October. Much like the largemouth bass, the tiger muskie will become more active as the water temperature rises in the spring but they remain very active in the fall heading towards winter. As the days shorten and the temperatures decrease tiger muskie feed in preparation for winter.
Where to Catch Tiger Muskie
In Sheridan there are two locations in which Tiger Muskie are stocked. These fish can be found at Kleenburn pond just 10 miles north or the Ranchester City Pond 17 miles north Sheridan. Both sports will provide you the opportunity to catch one of these sought after creatures. Before heading out, take a trip out on Broadway Street to Rocky Mountain Discount Sports and pick up some Jake’s Lures, Be sure to grab the to pick a handmade wobbler lure designed specifically for game fish.
Suggested lures:
Flies: Streamers, and Deceivers
Hard Baits: Jakes Wobbler Lure
3. Grayling
The grayling is a rare fish to catch in alpine lakes and streams of the Bighorn Mountains. A catch of this nature is not for the faint of heart due to the elevations they live. While grayling look like trout, they are distinguished from their relatives by their coarse scales and large colorful dorsal fin. They aren’t monstrous fish as they typically grow to about 3-4 lbs, but they are majestic with their bright colors and choice of habitat.
When to Catch Grayling
Similar to trout, grayling are accustomed to cooler water temperatures in the alpine lakes of the Bighorn National Forest. In the alpine environment, cooler temperatures are expected year round, but June – September is a good time to try your hand at fishing for grayling. As the snow melts off from the winter freeze, it makes roads and trails more accessible into the high country. Pack a lunch and a day pack as tracking down this fish can be an all day affair.
Where to Catch Grayling
The journey to catch this beautiful fish just might be the best part. The high altitude fisheries of the Cloud Peak Wilderness is where grayling make their home. A prime location is near Park Reservoir on Red Grade Road. Take forest road 299 til it turns to a 50” inch trail and either hike or take your four-wheeler to Weston Reservoir. Here you will find grayling and the perfect place to have your lunch on the lake. It is also here that an epic adventure is on the brink of discovery, so plan to spend some time fishing the 189,000 acre wilderness area of the Bighorns. Make sure to stop by The Fly Shop of the Bighorns and grab some hand tied caddisflies. Both brook trout and arctic grayling prey on these.
Suggested lures: Hippie Stomper, Stubby Chubby, elk hair caddis and small Woolly Buggers
4. Splake
Splake are hybrids of a male brook trout and female lake trout with the spots and dark complexion of a lake trout but with a red belly and fins. While they are a cross between a brook trout and a lake trout they can exhibit characteristics of either. The main factor that differentiates splake from its parents is a forked tail. Splake seldom reproduce, making this fish a truly once-in-a-lifetime catch for all anglers to come across.
When to Catch Splake Trout
Splake trout are a great fish to go after during the spring, summer, and fall months in the Bighorn National Forest. Splake tend to be in deeper water during the summer months and move shallow in the spring and fall. In terms of catchability in the Bighorns, the months following snow melt would be a great time to catch these monsters in the shallows.
Where to Catch Splake Trout
The best chance of catching a splake is by fishing deep and using a non motorized boat or raft at Park Reservoir. The reservoir is 30 miles from Sheridan up the breathtaking Red Grade road, and is popular for its panoramic wilderness views, sandy beaches, and its splake trout population. Another viable option that has shown success is the Sawmill Lakes about 20 minutes from Park Reservoir. A roundtrip 2.5 mile hike will line your sights on catching one of these rarities.
Suggested lures: midges, copper john, streamers, and sinking line to troll for them.
5. Cutthroat Trout
The cutthroat is a spectacle that every fisherman should experience. Being the only native trout species to the state, the cutthroat needs to be on your bucket list. The spots and colors of this fish are hard to beat and slash marks under its jawline are an indicator of the name. Keep in mind that not all cutthroat look like this, but the markings under that jaw indicate a cutthroat through and through.
When to Catch Cutthroat Trout
The best time to catch the cutthroat is late spring after runoff and in the fall as the water is not so high. Time of day can vary based on water temperature, but in the dead of summer, morning or late evening fishing trips for this species is not out of the question.
Where to Catch Cutthroat Trout
For over a century, anglers have made the trek into the Bighorn Mountains to check the iconic cutthroat trout off their bucket lists. Native only to the Rocky Mountain West, this prized fish can grow impressively large in the right waters. The North Tongue River, in particular, is a prime example of the right waters, with fish ranging from 10 to 20+ inches being quite common there. Access to the North Tongue is conveniently located just 5 miles from Burgess Junction in the Bighorn National Forest, making it easy to access. Be sure to bring your waders for a comfortable experience navigating this legendary river. Please note that this stretch is catch-and-release only, and the use of live bait is prohibited. For additional regulations, consult Wyoming Game and Fish.
Suggested lures:
Midges, Elk Hair Caddis, Wolley Bugger, and Copper John
Hard Tackle: Gold Jake’s Spin-A-Lure
“Cutthroat are an aggressive fish and it will often surprise you how fast they will hit a fly on the water’s surface. ” – Piper Steinmetz (Angler)
6. Rainbow Trout
After a rainy day, it’s natural to look up at the sky and imagine spotting the end of a rainbow, but the real treasure is found beneath the water’s surface. Rainbow trout are known for their vibrant green bodies, a distinct pink or red stripe running along their sides, dark black spots, and a white underbelly. Their striking appearance makes them a prized catch for anglers, offering a picture-perfect moment every time.
When to Catch Rainbow Trout
Rainbow trout are highly catchable during the early melt-off in spring and again in the fall, as they thrive in the cooler water temperatures these seasons bring.
Where to Catch Rainbow Trout
Suggested Lures:
Flies: Midges, Woolly buggers, elk hair caddis
Hard Tackle: copper, gold, or silver spoons.
“I’ve trolled nothing but a Gold or silver 1/6 ounce Jake’s Spin-A-Lure across the Park Reservoir and have had great success every outing. The Rainbow Trout seem to bite even into the early afternoon” – Piper Steinmetz (Angler)
7. Tiger Trout
Tiger trout live up to their name with striking stripes that resemble those of a tiger. Their body is adorned with a maze-like pattern, typically in brown tones, paired with a vibrant orange underbelly. A hybrid of the brown and brook trout, the tiger trout is a sterile species, unable to reproduce. Landing one of these rare fish is a unique and noteworthy accomplishment for any angler.
When to Catch Tiger Trout
The prime time to catch tiger trout is in the spring during ice melt and again in the cooler fall months before the water freezes. Like many other trout species, tiger trout move to deeper, cooler waters during the summer. However, in spring and fall, these fish move into shallower waters to forage for their next meal.
Where to Catch Tiger Trout
Like the Grayling, Tiger Trout can be found hanging out at Weston Reservoir. Take forest road 299 on Red Grade Road near Park Reservoir. Take this road until it turns to a 50” inch trail and either hike or take your four-wheeler to Weston Reservoir. Here you will find Tiger Trout and the perfect place to have your lunch on the lake.
Suggested lures: small streamers, midges, elk hair caddis
“Tiger trout tend to be more aggressive than other trout species……. Any lake bound fish respond well to steamers” – Tucker Darrah, Fly Shop of the Bighorns
8. Golden Trout
Named after their strikingly yellow appearance, these fish should really be called the golden trout because catching one of them is like discovering gold. Their rarity, beauty, and choice of habitat make these fish almost sacred. With a red underbelly, cheeks and horizontal stripe, the golden trout is a sight for sore eyes.
When to Catch Golden Trout
These fish enjoy the cold alpine environment that the Cloud Peak Wilderness has to offer. Mid-summer to early fall is the best time to access the wilderness and high alpine lakes due to ice off conditions taking place around this time of year. At this point trails have become mostly clear of snow making access easier.
Where to Catch Golden Trout
Golden trout live in the cold water streams near and above the treeline. Luring in a golden trout in the Bighorn Mountains would be the ultimate fishing story. Imagine hiking deep into the wilderness of Wyoming, using every ounce of your fishing dexterity and knowledge to catch one of these legends. The journey through the serene land and amount of effort to catch one would be unforgettable. There are 4 lakes and reservoirs on the south side of the Cloud Peak Wilderness that offer this catch of a lifetime. Those being Elephanthead, Firehole #2, Myrtle, and Frozen #1.
Suggested lures: Dry Flies, nymphs, and small streamers
Fly Suggestions Courtesy of Fly Shop of the Bighorns
Tiger trout Photo Credit: Tucker Huggins
Cutthroat Trout Photo Credit: Payton Steinmetz
Rainbow Trout Photo Credit: Piper Steinmetz
Other photos Courtesy of Wyoming Game and Fish
