Wyoming is a fishing paradise, with a stunning range of waters – from native cutthroat in mountain lakes to trophy lake trout in deep reservoirs, walleye on the plains, and even a rare bass lake or two. This guide breaks down the species, the best lakes for each, and how to fish the Cowboy State. Every lake links to a full guide in our Wyoming Lakes Database.
Trout
Trout are Wyoming’s signature fish. Native cutthroat fill mountain lakes and Yellowstone’s waters; lake trout (Mackinaw) grow to trophy size in Flaming Gorge, Fremont Lake and Jackson Lake; and rainbow and brown trout thrive everywhere from Lake DeSmet to Buffalo Bill. See our Wyoming trout lakes guide for more.
Walleye
The big reservoirs grow excellent walleye: Boysen, Glendo, Seminoe and Keyhole lead the way. Our walleye reservoirs guide rounds them up.
Kokanee salmon
Flaming Gorge is famous for kokanee, and they’re found in Fremont and Lake Hattie too – a prized catch for trollers and a treat on the table.
Bass, perch & more
For a change of pace, Grayrocks is a top largemouth-bass lake, smallmouth thrive in Flaming Gorge, and perch and ling fill reservoirs like Boysen.
National-park fishing rules
One key thing to know: Yellowstone requires its own park fishing permit (not a state license), with cutthroat catch-and-release and mandatory killing of invasive lake trout. Grand Teton, by contrast, uses the standard Wyoming state license. Read the national-park lakes guide before you go.
Licenses and seasons
Outside the parks, anglers need a Wyoming fishing license from Game & Fish, plus a conservation stamp. Border reservoirs shared with Utah (Flaming Gorge) and Montana (Bighorn Lake) have their own rules. Ice fishing is big across the state in winter – always check current limits.
Ready to pick a lake? Browse the Largest Lakes, see our best lakes roundup, or head back to the Wyoming Lakes Database.
