Wyoming Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ Statewide creel limits apply unless drainage-area exceptions apply for the specific water.
- ⚠ Total combined trout creel (streams + lakes) is 6 per day.
- ⚠ Fish reduced to possession must be killed before transport; whole body intact where length limits apply (gills/entrails may be removed).
- ⚠ Nongame fish: no creel or possession limits.
- ⚠ Any fish placed on a stringer or in a livewell is considered reduced to possession.
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout in combination (brown, cutthroat, grayling, golden, rainbow, salmon, tiger) | Lakes: 6; Streams: 3; total combined 6 | Streams: no more than 1 over 16 in |
| Brook trout | 16 | |
| Lake trout & splake | 6 combined | No more than 1 over 24 in |
| Burbot (ling) | 3 | |
| Channel catfish | 6 | |
| Largemouth & smallmouth bass | 6 combined | |
| Northern pike | Drainage area exceptions | |
| Sauger | 2 | |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | 2 | |
| Tiger muskie | 1 | All under 36 in released |
| Walleye | 6 | |
| Whitefish | 6 | |
| Yellow perch, crappie, bluegill, rock bass, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, black bullhead, freshwater drum | 50 combined |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
Buffalo Bill Reservoir
- Trout creel 3/day (west of Rattlesnake/Sheep Creek line up to Gibbs Bridge, closed Apr 1 - Jul 14): max 2 cutthroat, max 1 over 18 in. Else: 6 trout, max 2 cutthroat/rainbow.
Flaming Gorge Reservoir
- Trout: artificial flies and lures only in parts; check Area 4 regulations.
Grand Teton National Park lakes
- Trout creel 6/day, max 3 cutthroat, max 1 cutthroat over 12 in; artificial flies/lures only; no live baitfish.
Grand Teton National Park streams
- Trout creel 3/day, max 1 over 16 in; closed Dec 1 - Jul 31 in most streams; artificial flies/lures only.
Snake River
- See Snake River exceptions in Area 1 regulations.
Seasons
Most waters open year-round (check drainage-area regulations); ice fishing common in winter.
Licence Fees
Wyoming fishing license required (resident/non-resident; 1-day to annual); conservation stamp; fees per WGFD.
Edition: 2026 Wyoming Fishing Regulations (WGFD) · Effective: 2026 season · Source: Wyoming Game & Fish Dept. (wgfd.wyo.gov/fishing)
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