2024 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.
SPINOUS DORSAL AND SOFT DORSAL
NEARLY SEPARATE
TIGER MUSKIE
Coloration having irregular narrow vertical dark markings on a light
background.
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 Hatchery Information
Game and Fish biologists conduct about 600 surveys each year to monitor populations
of wild and stocked fish in Wyoming lakes and rivers. They improve habitat, adjust fishing
regulations, attempt to control problem species, and request approximately 7 million
fish for stocking throughout the state to provide high quality fishing opportunities. These
stocking requests are sent to the Department's ten hatcheries and rearing stations more
than two years before the fish are stocked. The requests are tailored to specific waters
by specifying the species, number, size, and stocking date. Hatchery employees produce
detailed production plans to meet all of these requests for trout, salmon, grayling and
tiger muskie. They take eggs and manage complex operations involving water quality,
fish densities, temperatures and feed to ensure that healthy fish are ready for stocking
on schedule. Each year they transport fish to about 375 different waters for stocking. To
learn more about hatchery efforts to provide quality fishing and conserve native species
visit https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Fish-Hatchery-Information.
30 WYOMING GAME AND FISH
Illustrations by Michelle LaGory. Tiger muskie illustration by Tim Knepp.

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Fish-Hatchery-Information

2024 Fishing Regulations

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2024 Fishing Regulations