Flaming Gorge Reservoir, WY: Trophy Trout & Boating

Flaming Gorge Reservoir is one of the great fishing and boating lakes of the West – a 91-mile-long reservoir on the Green River that snakes through blazing red-rock canyons from southwestern Wyoming down into Utah. Famous for trophy lake trout, kokanee salmon and spectacular scenery, it’s the centerpiece of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and a bucket-list destination for anglers and houseboaters alike.

This guide covers the Wyoming end of Flaming Gorge: the world-class fishing, the boating and marinas, the scenery, and access. It’s part of our growing Wyoming Lakes Database.

Flaming Gorge at a glance

• Surface area: ~42,000 acres; about 91 miles long, spanning Wyoming and Utah
• Depth: very deep – over 400 ft near the dam
• Location: Sweetwater County, southwestern Wyoming, into Daggett County, Utah
• Built: Flaming Gorge Dam on the Green River (in Utah), completed 1964
• Top fish: lake trout (trophy “Mackinaw”), kokanee salmon, rainbow & brown trout, smallmouth bass

The “flaming” gorge

The name comes from explorer John Wesley Powell, who in 1869 saw the sun blazing off the brilliant red sandstone cliffs and called it Flaming Gorge. Those same fiery canyon walls now plunge straight into deep blue water, making the reservoir one of the most scenic lakes in the West – a striking contrast of red rock, green water and high-desert sky. The Wyoming portion at the northern end is broader and more open; the canyon narrows dramatically as it runs south into Utah.

Trophy fishing

Flaming Gorge is a legendary, deep, cold-water fishery:

• Lake trout (Mackinaw) – the headliner, growing to enormous sizes; the reservoir has produced fish over 50 pounds and is one of the top trophy lake-trout waters in the country.
• Kokanee salmon – abundant and prized for the table, a major draw for trollers.
• Rainbow and brown trout – including big browns, plus excellent smallmouth bass on the rocky structure.

Because the lake spans two states, anglers should note Wyoming and Utah licensing and the reciprocal Flaming Gorge rules. Many anglers hire guides to find fish in the deep, vast water.

Boating, marinas and houseboats

Flaming Gorge is made for boating, from fishing skiffs to houseboats. On the Wyoming side, Buckboard Marina offers ramps, slips, fuel and rentals, with more marinas (Lucerne, Cedar Springs) on the Utah end. The long, deep lake suits powerboating, sailing, paddling and multi-day houseboat trips into the quiet side canyons. Summer is busy; the shoulder seasons are quieter and often better for fishing.

Scenery and recreation

Beyond the water, the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area offers campgrounds, overlooks (the Red Canyon Visitor Center perch over the gorge is unforgettable), the Sheep Creek geological loop, and abundant wildlife – bighorn sheep, elk, pronghorn and ospreys. Below the dam, the Green River tailwater is a world-class trout stream in its own right.

Getting there and what’s nearby

The Wyoming end of Flaming Gorge is south of Green River and Rock Springs off WY-530 and US-191, about 3 hours from Salt Lake City. The town of Green River, the Killpecker Sand Dunes and the Wyoming high desert are nearby.

Know before you go

• Two states: the reservoir spans Wyoming and Utah – check licensing and the reciprocal Flaming Gorge fishing rules.
• Big, deep water: conditions change fast – wear a life jacket and watch the wind.
• AIS inspection: clean, drain and dry your boat; invasive-species rules are enforced.
• Best seasons: late spring through fall for fishing and boating; summer for houseboating.

Frequently asked questions

What fish are in Flaming Gorge Reservoir?

Trophy lake trout (Mackinaw, over 50 lbs), kokanee salmon, rainbow and brown trout, and smallmouth bass – one of the best trophy lake-trout fisheries in the country.

Is Flaming Gorge in Wyoming or Utah?

Both – the 91-mile reservoir runs from southwestern Wyoming south into Utah, with the dam on the Utah end.

Where can you launch a boat on the Wyoming side?

Buckboard Marina is the main Wyoming access, with ramps, slips, fuel and rentals; more marinas sit on the Utah end.

Why is it called Flaming Gorge?

Explorer John Wesley Powell named it in 1869 for the brilliant red sandstone cliffs that seem to flame in the sunlight.

Where is Flaming Gorge Reservoir?

In Sweetwater County, southwestern Wyoming (extending into Utah), south of Green River and Rock Springs.

Related: explore more of the largest lakes in Wyoming, or head back to the Wyoming Lakes Database.