July 2023 - 2

FROM THE
DIRECTOR
Time to go fishing
N
othing is quite like a Wyoming summer
- especially after the drawn-out winter
and above-average snow we all experienced.
I often wondered if we would ever see warmer temperatures.
While the winter days created challenges
and were hard on many of our big game populations,
our state needed a break from the extended drought.
Suffice it to say, the long winter, deep snow and late
start to summer had some real benefits.
We are now blessed with green landscapes, vibrant wildflowers
and rushing streams. That's one thing about Wyoming that appeals
to many of us - the winters can be powerful, and the summers are,
too. Not surprising to most of us, reeling in a fish, watching summer
sunsets and smelling the sagebrush in a lush meadow helps us forget
about the chilling winter we endured.
This summer fishing will be good. Fish productivity and health is
directly connected to water - both quality and quantity. I hope you
will have the good fortune to get outside and take advantage of great
water conditions and the work of our fisheries crews and spend some
of your summer fishing along a blue-ribbon stream or learning about
the work that goes into raising that highly-sought cutthroat trout.
Utilize public access areas
Increasing public access is a top priority for the Wyoming Game
and Fish Department, and it's why we work hard to secure fishing
access from landowners. In 2022 the Access Yes program opened
access to 4,007 lake acres and 93 stream miles for fishing on otherwise
inaccessible private, state and difficult-to-access lands. I encourage
you to take advantage of the 55 walk-in fishing areas this year. They
are easy to access and we've already received permission for the public.
Just have your current fishing license, conservation stamp and
appropriate WIFA map and walk in.
Complete a fishing challenge
For trout enthusiasts the Cutt-Slam is a fishing adventure. It will
take you to remote places in Wyoming and through spectacular
country. The Cutt-Slam challenges anglers to catch Wyoming's four
subspecies of cutthroats - Bonneville, Colorado River, Snake River
and Yellowstone - in their respective native range. Beyond the
bragging rights and memories, those who complete the challenge
will receive a personalized certificate, a commemorative medallion
provided by Trout Unlimited and a vehicle decal.
Participating in the Master Angler program is easy, even if catching
a trophy is a challenge. Landing one trophy-sized fish earns the title of
Master Angler. Those who want to step it up and catch five qualifying
2 | July 2023
Families gather for the annual Maury Brown Kid's Fishing Day near Cheyenne this past June.
(Photo by Patrick Owen/WGFD)
fish can earn the title of Trophy Angler. Those enthusiasts who want
to become an Ultimate Angler must land 10 different species that
meet or exceed Master Angler minimum lengths. Trophy fish represent
the largest fish in the state - the top 5 percent - of the 24
eligible species. Some fisheries in Wyoming are managed for trophy
sizes while others are for high-catch rates and species diversity. It is
not an easy task to catch one, let alone 10, but you will spend a lot
of quality time on Wyoming's waters.
Visit a hatchery or rearing station
Break up your long drives this summer with a visit to one of Wyoming's
10 fish hatcheries and rearing stations. There are few places in
the country where you can see fish up close in all stages of their lives.
Our state's hatcheries and rearing stations raise a variety of species
including cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon, splake and many others
to provide quality fishing opportunities in Wyoming. One you should
add to your list is Story Fish Hatchery. This hatchery is home to the
only genetically pure strain of captive golden trout broodstock in the
world. Fisheries biologists produce about 300,000 golden trout eggs
at Story - Wyoming's oldest fish hatchery. Hatcheries are critical
to supporting Wyoming's trout population and are responsible for
offering more recreation opportunities to anglers.
While you're on the road this summer you may see one of our
distribution trucks hauling fish to a nearby lake. You can find out
where they drop fish on the stocking page on the Game and Fish
website. See monthly reports about where and when fish were stocked,
species, size and which hatchery they came from.
Here's to a great summer after a hard winter and enjoying our
state's waters!
Scan this QR code for access to
resources mentioned in this column
including the 2023 Fishing Regulations,
Interactive Fishing Guide, stocking
reports, information on fishing
challenges and more.

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/fishing-and-boating

July 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2023