Brown 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).

• North Platte RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• New Fork RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Green RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Salt RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Bighorn RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Shoshone RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• North Fork Powder RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Sand CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Middle Fork Powder RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Clarks Fork Yellowstone RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Sybille CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Deer CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Clear CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Laramie RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Bates CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Big CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Canyon 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
• Tensleep CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Pine CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Brush CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Medicine Lodge CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Alkali Creek PatchAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Blue CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Brandel CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Buffalo CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Cedar CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Duck CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Elk Hollow CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Horse 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 Canyon CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Little Laramie RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Little Popo Agie RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• North Sybille CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Pine CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Popo Agie RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Shell 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
• Sweetwater RiverAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Duck CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Forty Rod CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Hams ForkAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• West Tensleep CreekAgency list: Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Identification

• In California, the brown trout is the only trout with both red and black spots on its body. The dark spots on its sides usually have a pale halo.[2]
  What the source says

  “Only trout in California with both red and black spots on body. Dark spots on the sides typically surrounded by a pale halo. Coloration is usually dark to olive brown on the back, shading to yellow on the sides, and yellow or white on the belly.”

• Michigan DNR points to a broad, square tongue with 11 to 12 large teeth, light pectoral fins and a square tail. Lake-run browns are mostly silver, and their spots can be hard to see.[1]
  What the source says

  “Dorsal and adipose fin, broad square tongue with 11 to 12 large teeth, light pectoral fins, square tail, and nine to 10 rays in the anal fin. Lake-run browns are predominately silver in color and the body spots are often obscured in lake-dwellers compared to the resident stream dwellers.”

More on identifying brown 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.

• The U.S. Geological Survey reports that brown trout have been linked to declines in native fish, including other trout and salmon, through predation, displacement and competition for food.[3]
  What the source says

  “Brown Trout have been implicated in reducing native fish populations (including other salmonids) through predation, displacement, and food competition (Taylor et al. 1984).”

• Yellowstone National Park rule: in the Firehole River, Madison River and lower Gibbon River (below Gibbon Falls), all rainbow and brown trout must be released.[4]
  What the source says

  “Firehole River, Madison River, lower Gibbon River (downstream of Gibbon Falls)—possession of up to five brook trout is allowed. Catch and release all rainbow and brown trout.”

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, Wyoming3 brown trout waters

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. Brown trout Michigan Department of Natural Resources, read Oct 24, 2026.
2. Fishing for Brown Trout (non-native) California Department of Fish and Wildlife, read Oct 24, 2026.
3. Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) - Species Profile U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species program, read Oct 24, 2026.
4. Fishing - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) National Park Service, read Oct 24, 2026.