Brook trout in Wyoming

Wyoming waters

Most fished first. A species missing from an agency list does not mean it is absent; this page lists only waters whose list names it (at least 5 are needed for a page).

• New Fork RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Wind RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Clarks Fork Yellowstone RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Deer CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Bates CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• la Prele CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Middle Crow CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Sunlight CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Texas CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Boulder CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Dry Laramie RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Medicine Lodge CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Bear CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Brandel CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Cedar CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Duck CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Goose CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Grizzly CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Jakeys ForkAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• la Bonte CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Little Popo Agie RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Mule CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• North Fork Canyon CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• North Tongue RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Rock CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Silver Tip CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• South Fork Little Canyon CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Medicine Bow RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Big Sandy RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Rock CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• North Brush CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• West Tensleep CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Identification

• Brook trout have worm-like markings (vermiculations) on the back and red spots, sometimes with blue halos, on the sides. The lower fins have a white front edge, then black, then reddish orange.[1]
  What the source says

  “Color variations include olive, blue-gray or black above with a silvery white belly and wormlike markings (vermiculation pattern) along the back. They have red spots sometimes surrounded by bluish halos on their sides. The lower fins have a white front edge followed by black and the remainder being reddish orange.”

• In California, the brook trout is the only trout with wavy, maze-like lines (vermiculations) on its back and upper sides.[2]
  What the source says

  “Only trout in California with vermiculation pattern (wavy, maze-like lines) on back and upper sides.”

• Brook trout belong to the char family and are often confused with bull trout. Brook trout have vermiculations and black spots on the dorsal fin, which bull trout lack.[3]
  What the source says

  “Closely related to and commonly misidentified as brook trout (both are members of the char family). A distinguishing characteristic is the lack of black spots on the dorsal fin. Do not have vermiculations that occur on brook trout.”

More on identifying brook trout

Status, protections and rules

As each agency stated them on the date read; a rule applies only where its agency says so. Check the current regulations for the water before you fish.

• In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the brook trout is the only native trout species.[4]
  What the source says

  “The brook trout is the only native species of trout in the Smokies.”

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park reopened brook trout fishing in 2006 after a 30-year ban.[5]
  What the source says

  “As a result of research and successful restoration efforts, park management reopened brook trout fishing in 2006 after a 30-year ban.”

Water temperature in Wyoming

• Under Wyoming's 65°F lineThat is under the 65°F above which Wyoming Game and Fish suggests keeping trout rather than releasing them. Water warms by afternoon: “Water temperatures are coolest in the morning, giving released trout the best chance of survival.” “Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor the water temperature.”
• Warming: consider keeping what you catchWyoming Game and Fish: “If the water temperature is above 65 degrees, consider keeping what you catch within the regulations.” “Focus your fishing between sunrise and noon.”
• 68°F in Grand Teton National ParkIn Grand Teton National Park the National Park Service recommends that anglers “cease fishing at 2 p.m. when water temperatures are likely to exceed 68°F.”
• 70°F: don't release troutWyoming Game and Fish: “Don’t release trout once water temperatures reach 70 degrees – often about noon on warm summer days.” “When water temperatures exceed 70 degrees, the chance of survival for any trout to be caught and released is greatly reduced.” “Please pause catch-and-release fishing after 12:00 p.m.”
• Over 75°FWyoming Game and Fish: “Trout die after prolonged exposure to water temperatures greater than 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and brief exposure to temperatures over 80 degrees are lethal.”

Sources: Fishing in the heat (Wyoming Game and Fish Department); Game and Fish announces voluntary catch-and-release fishing closures across the state (3 Aug 2026) (Wyoming Game and Fish Department); High water temperatures prompt fishing advisory in Grand Teton National Park (29 July 2022) (National Park Service); Anglers encouraged to adjust fishing practices as temperatures rise (Wyoming Game and Fish Department); Adjust fishing practices for heat (29 July 2024) (Wyoming Game and Fish Department).

Destination hubs

Hubs that list one of these waters, or that a water page is near: each has guides, shops, licences and trip planning for the area.

• Jackson Hole, Wyoming1 brook trout water

Hatch & season charts

• Northern Rockies8 sourced rows

Sources

Every fact on this page is our paraphrase of the page cited beside it, read on the date shown. Rules and seasons change: check the agency's current regulations before you fish.

1. Brook trout Michigan Department of Natural Resources, read Oct 24, 2026.
2. Fishing for Brook Trout (non-native) California Department of Fish and Wildlife, read Oct 24, 2026.
3. Fishing for Bull Trout (native) California Department of Fish and Wildlife, read Oct 24, 2026.
4. Fishing - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) National Park Service, read Oct 24, 2026.
5. Fish - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) National Park Service, read Oct 24, 2026.