October 2024 - 43

JACKSON REGION
" Fall is always a good time to fish the area's rivers, "
said Darren Rhea, Game and Fish fisheries
supervisor in the Jackson Region. " Temperatures
are generally cooler in the morning, and as they
warm up during the day the bug life can really get
active. There are some great hatches in the fall and
the cutthroat will really key in on them. "
Area lakes also provide opportunities for trout in
the fall. Trout activity will typically increase along
the shoreline as water temperatures drop - a great
opportunity for shore anglers. Lake trout, brown
trout and cutthroat trout become more available
and eager during the fall, which isn't the case at
other times of the year.
There are liberal limits on lake trout less than 24
inches long in some lakes, giving anglers an option
to bring home some tasty fish. Rhea said Jackson
and Jenny lakes are common places to go after these
small lake trout, but more adventurous anglers can
try Bradley, Taggart or Phelps lakes.
SHERIDAN REGION
" Fall fishing can be some of the best fishing all
year, " said Paul Mavrakis, Game and Fish fisheries
supervisor in the Sheridan Region.
Keyhole Reservoir is expected to be good for
14-18-inch walleye and northern pike up to 40
inches long. However, crappie numbers are down
with the high numbers of walleye and pike.
Healy Reservoir near Sheridan has a growing
number of walleye, abundant populations of largemouth
bass and small yellow perch and a chance for
anglers to catch a good-sized tiger muskie. Outboard
motors in excess of 15 horsepower are prohibited.
Kokanee salmon and rainbow trout numbers are
increasing at Lake DeSmet near Buffalo with reports
of anglers catching kokanee up to 18 inches long.
Anglers need to fish deep for kokanee. Anglers are
encouraged to harvest lake trout from DeSmet.
Muddy Guard Reservoir #1 is managed a trophy
trout fishery, and nearby Muddy Guard #2 has
responded well from a renovation project a few
years ago and has some nice-sized rainbow and tiger
trout. For stream anglers, Sand Creek near Beulah
has a lot of small brown trout, along with some
good-sized browns and rainbows. North Tongue
River trout populations appear to be better than in
recent years, but are still down from the numbers
5-10 years ago.
Game and Fish encourages anglers to harvest
small brook trout found in many of the small
streams in the Bighorn Mountains. Fewer fish in
these densely populated streams generally results in
better condition for the remaining fish.
(Photo by Mark Gocke/WGFD)
FALL FISHING TIPS
By Jake Ruthven
For fly anglers, fall is a great time to capitalize on hatches of blue-winged
olive mayflies, various caddisflies and often an abundance of terrestrial
grasshoppers and ants. Pay close attention to what you see coming off
the water throughout the day, and try to match the hatch. A good place to
start is a size 10-14 attractor dry fly, such as a humpy, trailed by a smaller
- size 14-18 - attractor nymph pattern such as a Copper John.
For conventional anglers, fall often means downsizing lures and baits,
and using lighter line to catch wary fish. For trout, try small, bright spoons
and kastmasters to stand out against fallen leaves drifting through the
water. A fly-and-bubble also can be an excellent approach.
For largemouth bass, crankbaits and spinnerbaits cover a lot of water. As
temperatures drop, slow down retrieves and experiment with soft plastics
for slow-moving fish.
LOOK FOR THE SPAWN
Several fish species in Wyoming, such as brown trout, spawn during the
fall, and anglers should keep an eye out for nests - also called redds - on
the river bottom to avoid wading through them.
Redds are often identified by oval-shaped patches of abnormally clean
gravel, which results from vegetation being removed as females use their
tail to move the gravel and construct their nest.
BE BEAR AWARE
Areas of northwest Wyoming are home to a high density of grizzly bears,
and anglers should carry bear spray while fishing.
If camping, maintain a clean camp and use proper food storage. Try to
avoid dense vegetation which prevents adequate line-of-sight, and make
noise as you are walking.
- Jake Ruthven is a fisheries biologist
in the Lander Region.
Wyoming Wildlife | 43
October 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2024
