2023 Fishing Regulations - 32

GAM E F I S H S P E C I E S I DE N T I F IC AT ION
HORIZONTAL STRIPES
VERTICAL STRIPES
DISTINCT SNOUT
NORTHERN PIKE
Coloration having horizontal
light markings on a dark background.
Distinct snout shape similar to that of duck's bill.
TIGER MUSKIE
Coloration having irregular narrow vertical dark markings on a light
background.
SPINOUS DORSAL AND SOFT DORSAL
NEARLY SEPARATE
SPINOUS DORSAL AND SOFT DORSAL
WELL CONNECTED
MOUTH EXTENDS
BEYOND EYE
MOUTH DOES NOT
EXTEND PAST EYE
LARGEMOUTH BASS
Body relatively slender. 3 anal fin spines. Dorsal spines usually 10.
Distinguished from smallmouth bass by having larger mouth with upper
jaw extending far behind middle of the eye and by having spiny and soft
dorsal fins that are nearly separate.
DARK " EAR " ON
GILL PLATE
DARK " EAR " ON
GILL PLATE
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Body relatively slender. 3 anal fin spines. Dorsal spines usually 10.
Distinguished from largemouth bass by having smaller mouth, not
extending much behind back of eye and by having spiny and soft dorsal
fins that are well connected.
MOUTH DOES NOT EXTEND
TO MIDDLE OF EYE
MOUTH EXTENDS
TO MIDDLE OF EYE
BLUEGILL
Deep body with spiny and soft dorsal fins well connected. 2-3 anal fin
spines. 10 dorsal spines. Soft dorsal fin with a black blotch near base
of last few rays. Dark " ear " flap on gill plate. Distinguished from green
sunfish by smaller mouth not extending to middle of eye.
GREEN SUNFISH
Spiny and soft dorsal fins well connected. 2-3 anal fin spines. 10 dorsal
spines. Dark ear flap on gill plate. Distinguished from bluegill by larger
mouth with jaw extending to middle of eye.
FISH HATCHERIES
Fish Hatchery Information
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department currently maintains ten fish hatcheries and
rearing stations. These facilities are an integral part of our efforts to provide quality fishing
and conserve native species. The hatcheries are located throughout the state. They
manage complex operations that include water quality enhancement, genetic selection,
detailed production plans and disease prevention in order to raise quality trout, salmon,
grayling and tiger muskie for stocking throughout the state. The Department does not
have hatcheries to rear coolwater or warmwater fish such as walleye, bass, catfish and
bluegill. These species are obtained for stocking in Wyoming by trading trout or trout eggs
with other state and federal wildlife agencies. Walleye and bass typically come from North
Dakota while bluegill might come from Oklahoma and catfish from Arkansas. Find out more
at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Fish-Hatchery-Information.
Photo by Ryan Hagerty
30 WYOMING GAME AND FISH
Illustrations by Michelle LaGory. Tiger muskie illustration by Tim Knepp.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJqWFxuSPC1e4HBXQDAvWyv1Xcz7lIO07 https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Fish-Hatchery-Information

2023 Fishing Regulations

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2023 Fishing Regulations