Fremont Lake is one of Wyoming’s hidden giants – the second-deepest natural lake in the state, a long, cold, impossibly blue glacial lake at the foot of the Wind River Range near Pinedale. Nearly 12 miles long and some 600 feet deep, it’s a trophy lake-trout fishery, a gateway to the Bridger Wilderness, and a stunning, underrated alternative to Wyoming’s more famous park lakes.
This guide covers Fremont Lake: the fishing, the boating and scenery, and access. It’s part of our growing Wyoming Lakes Database.
Fremont Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~5,000 acres; about 12 miles long
- Depth: around 600 ft – the second-deepest natural lake in Wyoming
- Location: Sublette County, western Wyoming (near Pinedale)
- Top fish: lake trout (Mackinaw), brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee
A deep glacial lake
Fremont Lake was gouged out by Ice Age glaciers flowing off the Wind River Range, leaving a long, narrow, extraordinarily deep basin of clear, cold water. At roughly 600 feet deep it’s the second-deepest natural lake in Wyoming, and its blue water, backed by the high peaks of the Winds, is genuinely spectacular. The lake sits just minutes from Pinedale, yet feels worlds away.
Fishing Fremont Lake
The deep, cold water makes Fremont a fine trout fishery, headlined by big lake trout (Mackinaw) that prowl the depths, along with brown trout, rainbow trout and kokanee. A Wyoming fishing license is required. Trolling deep is the classic approach for the Mackinaw, while browns and rainbows come from the shallower margins and inlets. The lake’s size and depth reward those who know it.
Boating, the beach and the Winds
Fremont has a public beach, a boat ramp and a lakeside lodge with a marina, supporting boating, sailing, paddling and swimming in the (cold but clear) water. Above all, it’s the gateway to the Bridger Wilderness and the Wind River Range – trailheads near the upper end lead into one of the most spectacular alpine regions in the Lower 48, a backpacker’s paradise of granite peaks and hundreds of high lakes. Nearby Green River Lakes and Half Moon Lake round out the Pinedale lake country.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Fremont Lake is just northeast of Pinedale in western Wyoming, off US-191, about 1.5 hours south of Jackson. The Wind River Range, the Green River valley and the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale are all nearby.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a Wyoming license is required.
- Deep & cold: the water is frigid even in summer – wear a life jacket and respect the depth.
- Wilderness gateway: the upper end leads into the Bridger Wilderness – a backpacking paradise.
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Fremont Lake?
About 600 feet – the second-deepest natural lake in Wyoming.
What fish are in Fremont Lake?
Lake trout (Mackinaw), brown trout, rainbow trout and kokanee.
Where is Fremont Lake?
Just northeast of Pinedale in Sublette County, western Wyoming, off US-191.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in Wyoming, or head back to the Wyoming Lakes Database.
