A 150-mile-long river located in south-central Wyoming, the Wyoming Platte River is home to numerous types of fish and a variety of water environments ranging from deep and still to shallow and rushing. The fishing quality is any angler's dream, while the scenery is stunning.
Fly Fishing
The Wyoming Platte River is a haven for those who love to fly-fish. While it is possible to catch with other methods of fishing, fly fishing is the most successful in this river. Float fishing works year-round on some parts of the river; some sections of the river are low enough to wade, however.
Species
The Wyoming Platte River is home to numerous species of fish, most of them wild and unstocked. Brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and Colorado river cutthroat tout inhabit the waters of these hospitable waters. Cutbows, a cross between cutthroat and rainbow trout, abound in the river. Trophy trout reaching 22 inches and maxing at more than 5 lbs. live in parts of the river.
Season
The peak fishing season runs from mid-May to mid-June. However, because of the diversity of the river, it is fishable all year. The tailwaters of the river yield the best results in the wintertime and in the springtime, when the river is swollen from snow runoff. During the summer, after the water lowers, the 75-mile section around Saratoga provides top-notch fishing.
Regulations
Fishing regulations that in force from the Colorado border to Saratoga state that if an angler catches any fish that falls in the 10- to 16-inch bracket, he must immediately release them back into the river. Fishermen may keep up to six fish per day, with only one being over 16 inches. In addition, anglers may only use artificial flies and lures.
Access
A large part of the Wyoming Platte River lies in public ownership and is under control of Medicine Bow National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management, or the state of Wyoming. However, the river does wind through large tracts of private land, making access to various parts of the river difficult. A fishing guide is not necessary to fish the river, but a guide will know how and where to gain access to the best waters. Gaining access may require walking or four-wheeling at least one mile.
Lodging
Numerous bed-and-breakfasts serve the area. Saratoga, located 20 miles away, contains many hotels and lodges for fishermen. The Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management also offer campground facilities.
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