A Day Spent Fishing is Renewing

Good fishing around the Bridger Valley is easy to find. Lakes and ponds dot the map, while streams and rivers play tag across this beautiful Uinta Mountain valley. Anglers of all skill levels can find success here. The town of Lyman has a small pond located just off the I-80 business loop. It is generally stocked with Rainbow trout. Mountain View also has a fish pond full of Cutthroat and sometimes Carp.

Here are a few rivers and lakes to check out, along with what species of fish you can expect to find:

Flaming Gorge, about 90 minutes southeast of Bridger Valley, offers a wide variety of fish species and hundreds of locations from which to fish. Check out this website (https://www.flaminggorgecountry.com/anglers-guide) for the angler’s guide and the fishing report to know where the fish are biting and what the locals and pros do.

A fishing license is always required in Wyoming and can be obtained through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Permits/Forms-Applications/Fishing). Children under 14 can fish for free and nonresidents must be with a licensed adult. As with other outdoor activities in this area, a local guide would be of greatest benefit. Here is a great resource for an awesome, uncrowded fly-fishing guide service: https://thesolitaryangler.com/southwest-wyoming-fly-fishing-guides-from-the-solitary-angler/.

Ice Fishing

Travelwyoming.com has great information about fishing and ice fishing in Wyoming. It is important to remember that preparation and safety are the keys to a successful adventure. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department recommends taking the following precautions:

• Tell someone where you’re headed and when you plan to be back.
• Consider going to a lake that has other anglers, just in case you need assistance.
• Have your cell phone with you, fully charged, and stored in a waterproof pouch.
• Make sure you are fishing on safe ice – at least 4 inches in depth. Never fish on ice that has been broken and refrozen.
• Wear a life jacket and carry ice picks in case of an emergency.
• Carry an emergency blanket and a set of extra clothes with your gear pack.
• Never drive a vehicle onto the ice.

With so many options for fishing nearby, the Bridger Valley is a fisherman’s dream location to live and play. Please see the Forest Service website and the Wyoming Game and Fish website for maps, licensing/permit information, restrictions, and regulations. As always, practice safety, be prepared, and enjoy the beauty and splendor of fishing in this spectacular corner of the world!