Wyo. Code R. 040-0001-46
Effective Date: 09/16/2025 to Current
Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 040.0001.46.09162025
Section 1. Authority. These regulations are promulgated by authority of Wyoming Statutes § 23-1-101, § 23-1-302, § 23-1-303, § 23-1-801 through § 23-1-804, § 23-2-206, § 23-2-209, § 23-3-201, § 23-3-202, § 23-3-308, § 23-3-401, § 23-4-101, § 23-4-103, and § 23-6-111.
Section 2. Definitions. Definitions shall be as set forth in Title 23, Wyoming Statutes, Commission regulations, and the Commission also adopts the following definitions:
(a) “Artificial Flies and Lures” means manmade flies and lures. Artificial flies and lures do not include living or dead organisms or edible parts thereof, natural or processed foodstuffs, scents, flavors or chemical attractants, whether added in the manufacturing process or applied afterward.
(i) Artificial lures are single devices regardless of the number of hooks, including spoons, spinners and plugs made of metal, plastic, wood or other non-edible materials, or plastic products made to resemble worms, eggs, fish or other aquatic organisms.
(A) A pegged attractor, as defined in this Section, fixed or pegged within two (2) inches of the eye of a bare hook or artificial fly is considered an artificial lure.
(ii) Artificial flies includes flies, streamers, jigs, or poppers tied from such materials as thread, feathers, hair or tinsel.
(b) “Aquaria” means any enclosures used to contain organisms that prevent escape. Aquaria shall have a closed system of water circulation with no risk of contacting the surface waters of this state.
(c) “Artificial Light” means any man-made light or lighting device.
(d) “Bait” means living or dead organisms or edible parts thereof, natural or processed foodstuffs, scented or flavored plastics or other materials and flies or lures containing a flavor, scent or chemical attractant used in the taking of fish.
(e) “Baitfish” means nongame fish not designated as aquatic invasive species that were collected or purchased for use as bait.
(f) “Business Establishment” means a single business location with an associated physical address designated on the live baitfish dealer’s license.
(g) “Commercially Produced Live Baitfish” means adult fathead minnows that were propagated and reared in a Department approved private fish hatchery.
(h) “Creel Limit” means the total number of game fish a person may harvest and reduce to possession during any one (1) day regardless of the method or methods of harvest.
(i) “Dates” means the dates mentioned are inclusive.
(j) “Day” means calendar day.
(k) “Drainage” means the river or stream proper and the area of land, including all streams and standing waters, that drains into that river or stream.
(l) “Fishing Contest” means:
(i) Any event for taking fish on waters of this state, excluding licensed fishing preserves or hatchery catch out ponds, where cash or prizes are awarded or an entry or participation fee is charged; and,
(ii) Fifty (50) or more adults (18 years of age or older) or twenty-five (25) or more boats participate on a given date.
(m) “Fishing Contest Permit” means a document issued by the Department that grants the permittee authorization to conduct a fishing contest.
(n) “Gaff” means a spear or hook, with or without a handle, used for holding or lifting of fish.
(o) “Game Fish”, unless otherwise provided for specific waters or drainages, means:
(i) bass (GENUS Micropterus and Ambloplites);
(ii) bluegill, pumpkinseed and sunfish (GENUS Lepomis);
(iii) crappie (GENUS Pomoxis);
(iv) walleye and sauger (GENUS Sander);
(v) yellow perch (GENUS Perca);
(vi) trout, salmon, and char (GENUS Salmo, Oncorhynchus, and Salvelinus);
(vii) whitefish and cisco (GENUS Prosopium);
(viii) grayling (GENUS Thymallus);
(ix) pike (GENUS Esox);
(x) catfish and bullheads (GENUS Ameiurus, Ictalurus, Noturus, and Pylodictis);
(xi) burbot (GENUS Lota);
(xii) sturgeon (GENUS Scaphirhynchus); and
(xiii) freshwater drum (GENUS Aplodinotus).
(p) “Lake” means a body of standing water in a depression of land and includes reservoirs, ponds (excluding ponds created by beavers) and gravel and mining pits.
(q) “Live Baitfish Dealer” means a person licensed by the Department to sell live baitfish.
(r) “Live Baitfish Dealer of Record” means the designated individual legally accountable for all aspects of the live baitfish dealer.
(s) “Length” means the total length of a fish in inches, as measured in a straight line along a flat surface, from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail.
(t) “Nongame Fish” means all fish not defined as game fish or aquatic invasive species, including baitfish.
(u) “Pegged Attractor” means any bead, yarn, rubber strand, molded plastic or other non-edible material fixed or pegged on a line or leader above a bare hook or artificial fly.
(v) “Possession Limit” means the maximum number of game fish that may legally be in possession at any time and in any form. Game fish in transit or storage, including home or domicile, are considered in possession. Possession limits apply regardless of how many days an angler has fished. Fish taken under another state’s valid license do not apply to Wyoming’s possession limits, unless otherwise specified for Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
(w) “Seining License” means a license to seine or trap fish issued by the Department for the purpose of taking baitfish.
(x) “Single-point Barbless Hook” means a hook with a single sharpened point, either manufactured without barbs or having the barb removed or flattened against the shank. Double or treble hooks with all but one point removed are considered single-point hooks.
(y) “Special Fishing Contest Provision” means a provision promulgated for exclusion of fishing contests from specific waters.
(z) “Special Winter Ice Fishing Provision” means a provision promulgated for the ice covered period of specific waters.
(aa) 'Stream' means water in a permanent bed or channel with a current that is usually continuous in one direction and includes creeks, rivers, irrigation ditches, drains, canals, sloughs and ponds created by beavers. Streams may not flow continuously during low-flow periods. Ponds or puddles in a stream channel during low flow periods shall be considered to be a stream.
(bb) 'Trout' means brown, cutthroat, grayling, golden, rainbow, salmon, tiger trout and other trout hybrids in combination unless a specific species is referenced. Trout excludes brook trout, lake trout and splake.
(cc) 'Wild Caught Live Baitfish Possession Area' means the specific locations in Area 2, 3 or 5 where wild caught live baitfish may be possessed regardless of whether they were captured by a seining license holder or obtained from a live baitfish dealer.
(a) Fishing is permitted year-round twenty-four (24) hours a day in any waters of this state except as otherwise provided by Commission regulation for specific areas, streams, lakes, or portions thereof. Exceptions are listed with the regulations for each drainage area in Sections 17, 20, 22, 25, 28 and 32 of this chapter.
(a) It is legal to use hand lines, set lines, poles, or tip ups when fishing through the ice and the angler is in attendance.
(b) Artificial light may be used while fishing with legal fishing methods except as prohibited in Section 10 of this chapter.
(c) Fishing with a pegged attractor more than two (2) inches from the eye of a bare hook or artificial fly is considered snagging and is prohibited.
(d) There are no restrictions on the use of a floating strike indicator.
(e) Bait.
(i) Internal organs, eggs, eyes, fins, and skin of game fish are the only portions that may be used legally as bait. Any part of nongame fish may be used as bait. The use of bait may be restricted on specific waters as described in Sections 17, 22, 25, 28 and 32 of this chapter.
(ii) Amphibians and reptiles shall not be used as fishing bait. The possession of live or dead amphibians and reptiles while fishing is prohibited.
(iii) Crayfish shall only be used as live fishing bait in the water body from which they were captured. Once transported away from the water of capture, crayfish shall not be used as live fishing bait.
(iv) Corn may be possessed and used as bait in all waters where fishing with bait is permitted.
(v) Use or possession of bait is prohibited in areas or on waters where fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(f) Special Winter Ice Fishing Provisions.
(i) Special Winter Ice Fishing Provisions apply to the following waters:
(S) Lake Hattie; (T) Ocean Lake in Fremont County; (U) Pathfinder Reservoir; (V) Pilot Butte Reservoir; (W) Seminoe Reservoir; (X) Sulphur Creek Reservoir in Uinta County; (Y) Wardell Reservoir; (Z) Wheatland Reservoir #1 in Platte County; (AA) Wheatland Reservoir #3 in Albany County; and, (BB) Woodruff Reservoir.
(ii) Method restrictions for Special Winter Ice Fishing Provisions include the following:
(A) The use of more than two (2) lines is permitted only during the ice covered period when the angler is fishing through the ice and the maximum number of lines to be used by a person shall not exceed six (6) lines at any time.
(B) When using more than two (2) lines;
(I) The angler's name shall be attached to each line, pole or tip-up;
(II) The angler shall be no more than three hundred (300) yards from all lines; and,
(III) Anglers shall check their own lines.
Section 5. Creel limits.
(a) Except as otherwise provided, no person shall harvest and keep during any one (1) day, or have in possession, more than the number and length of game fish specified in the creel limits listed below.
| Category | Creel and Possession Limits |
|---|---|
| (i) Trout (in combination includes brown, cutthroat, grayling, golden, rainbow, salmon, tiger trout, and other trout hybrids). Excludes brook trout, lake trout and splake. | Lakes: six (6) Streams: three (3). No more than one (1) trout shall exceed sixteen (16) inches. |
| Streams and lakes combined: six (6) | |
| (ii) Brook trout | sixteen (16) |
| (iii) Lake trout and splake in combination | six (6). No more than one (1) lake trout or splake shall exceed twenty-four (24) inches. |
| (iv) Whitefish | six (6) |
| (v) Largemouth and smallmouth bass in combination | six (6) |
| (vi) Walleye | six (6) |
| (vii) Channel catfish | six (6) |
| (viii) Northern pike | See drainage area exceptions. |
| (ix) Tiger muskie (sterile northern pike muskellunge hybrid) | one (1). All tiger muskie less than thirty-six (36) inches in length shall be released to the water immediately. |
| (x) Yellow perch, black bullhead, stonecat, crappie, rock bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, green sunfish-bluegill hybrid, freshwater drum in combination | fifty (50) |
| (xi) Burbot (ling) | three (3) |
| (xii) Sauger | two (2) |
| (xiii) Shovelnose sturgeon | two (2) |
(b) Except as otherwise provided in the exception for an individual water, the total combined creel and possession limit for the trout category, regardless of the waters (streams, lakes, or a combination of both) a person is fishing, shall not exceed six (6) trout per day or in possession.
(i) Creel limit exceptions that apply in specific drainages are provided in Sections 17, 22, 25, 28 and 32 of this chapter.
(c) Any fish caught that is not to be counted in the creel limit shall be immediately released to the water with as little injury to the fish as possible.
(d) Any fish placed on a stringer, in a container, in a live well, or not released immediately to the water, shall be considered to be reduced to possession of the angler and shall be killed prior to being transported from the water of origin. No fish that has been reduced to possession of the angler shall be released alive without prior written approval from the Department.
(e) All fish possessed or transported shall be kept in a manner that species and numbers can be determined.
(f) When length limits apply, the whole body shall remain intact (gills and entrails can be removed) while in transit or in the field. Where length limits do not apply, a piece of skin large enough to allow species identification (at least one (1) inch square) shall remain on all fish fillets while in transit or in the field, except as otherwise provided in Sections 22, 25 and 32 of this chapter for walleye and sauger harvested in the Wind River, Bighorn River, North Platte and Tongue River drainages and in Section 28 of this chapter for lake trout harvested in Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
(g) There are no creel or possession limits on nongame fish unless otherwise specified in this regulation or in Commission Regulation Chapter 52, Take of Nongame Wildlife from Within Wyoming. Nongame fish may be taken by the use of legal fishing methods during any season open for the taking of game fish.
(a) No person shall seine, net, trap or spear baitfish without first obtaining a valid seining license. A valid seining license is required when using a seine, net, trap or spear to take baitfish, even those that will be used as dead bait.
(i) Seining licenses may be obtained from Department regional offices or from Cheyenne Headquarters.
(ii) No person shall have more than one (1) seining license each calendar year.
(iii) Locations where baitfish may be obtained, possessed and used shall be specified on the seining license.
(A) Seining or trapping and use of baitfish shall only be done as specified in regulations for specific drainage areas in Sections 18, 23, 26, 29 and 33 of this chapter.
(b) Legal gear for taking baitfish includes seines, traps, cast nets, umbrella nets and dip nets. There are no restrictions on the size of mesh or net size for cast nets, umbrella nets or dip nets. Collection gear shall be hand operated.
(i) Seines used for the purpose of taking baitfish shall not be more than five (5) feet deep.
(ii) Traps used for the purpose of taking baitfish shall not be more than thirty-six (36) inches long, twelve (12) inches deep, twelve (12) inches wide or twelve (12) inches in diameter and the throat shall not exceed one (1) inch width.
(A) A seining license holder shall not use more than five (5) traps at a time.
(B) A holder of both a seining license and live baitfish dealer's license shall have no restriction on the number of traps that can be used.
(C) The owner's name and seining license number shall be attached to each trap while in use.
(c) Any game fish taken by trap, net or seine shall be released to the water immediately.
(d) Any brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) taken by a trap, net or seine must be immediately killed.
(e) All Goldfish (Carassius auratus) and koi (as defined in Commission Regulation Chapter 49, Private Stocking of Cold-Blooded Wildlife) taken or purchased for use as bait shall be killed immediately in accordance with Commission Regulation Chapter 52, Take of Nongame Wildlife from Within Wyoming.
(f) Any live nongame fish captured for use as dead bait shall be killed immediately and shall not be transported live.
(g) No person shall intentionally tamper with or remove a trap or net, or remove fish from a trap or net that is set and maintained in compliance with Commission regulations unless in possession of a valid seining license and written permission from the seining license holder.
(h) All wild caught live baitfish transported out of the water of capture shall be held in aquaria when not in use.
(i) Wild caught live baitfish confined to a live car, net, pen or other enclosure in the same water from which the baitfish were captured are exempt from the aquaria holding requirement.
(i) All aquaria and enclosures shall have the owner's name and seining license number attached while in use.
(j) A seining license holder shall allow Department personnel to inspect live baitfish and all aquaria and enclosures used to hold live baitfish during reasonable hours.
(i) If an inspection discloses species of wildlife not authorized by the Department or an aquatic invasive species, the Department may order the wildlife, including all fish in aquaria and enclosures, removed from Wyoming or destroyed.
(k) Wild caught live baitfish may be held indefinitely by the holder of a valid, unexpired seining license, but shall not be released, abandoned or allowed to escape.
(l) A seining license holder shall not sell, trade, barter or broker live baitfish without first possessing a valid live baitfish dealer's license.
(m) A seining license holder shall be allowed to give live baitfish to other anglers in his or her fishing party for use only when the seining license holder is present. All live baitfish shall be returned to the seining licensee while not in use, and shall remain in the wild caught live baitfish possession area listed on the seining license.
(n) A seining license holder shall be allowed to give dead baitfish to other anglers for use as dead bait.
(o) Seining licenses are subject to suspension or revocation for failure to comply with the seining and trapping conditions specified in Sections 6, 18, 23, 26, 29 and 33 of this chapter.
(i) Any revocation of a seining license other than a court hearing revocation shall be subject to contested case proceedings in accordance with Commission Regulation Chapter 27, Rules Of Practice Governing Contested Cases Before The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.
(ii) A seining license holder may appeal a Department decision made under the authority of this chapter by submitting a written request to the Chief of Fisheries at Department headquarters for reconsideration within thirty (30) consecutive days from the date of receipt of written notification of the decision being contested. If a licensee fails to request an appeal within thirty (30) consecutive days, the licensee shall waive their ability to make any future appeal of the Department's decision. Appeals shall be conducted in accordance with the Department Decision appeals process described in Commission regulation Chapter 51, Private Fish Hatcheries.
(a) Any person desiring to engage in the commercial use of live baitfish shall apply for and receive a valid live baitfish dealer's license prior to selling, trading, bartering or brokering live baitfish except holders of a valid Wyoming commercial fish hatchery license who may sell or otherwise transfer live baitfish to live baitfish dealers for resale. Application for a live baitfish dealer's license shall be made on forms provided by the Department. The applicant shall provide information including, but not limited to, the physical location of the business and a description of facilities to be used for holding fish.
(b) Commercially produced live baitfish may be transported into the state for the sole purpose of resale, provided that:
(i) The recipient is a live baitfish dealer in possession of a valid live baitfish dealer's license or an in-state Department approved private fish hatchery; and,
(ii) The recipient has written authorization from the Chief of Fisheries to receive live baitfish from a Department approved out-of-state fish hatchery; and,
(iii) Vehicles used for the transport of live baitfish into the state shall be placarded indicating that the equipment is being used to transport live fish. Letters, numbers or symbols displayed on the placard shall be at least three (3) inches in height, excluding shading and bordering, and shall be of a color that contrasts with the placard background color. Anyone in the process of transporting live baitfish for the purpose of resale shall be in possession of written authorization from the Chief of Fisheries to ship or transport live baitfish into the state. Live baitfish shipped by common carrier (e.g., UPS, Federal Express) are exempt from this requirement; and,
(iv) The Chief of Fisheries shall be notified immediately by the live baitfish dealer if a shipment contains any other fish species, vegetation or other organisms. The shipment of concern shall be quarantined and held at the business establishment until final disposition is determined following inspection by the Department.
(c) The Chief of Fisheries may choose not to authorize a live baitfish dealer to receive live baitfish from a Department approved out-of-state fish hatchery if the dealer has failed to comply with any provision of Sections 6 or 7 of this chapter.
(d) A live baitfish dealer of record shall be established for each live baitfish dealer's license. The live baitfish dealer of record and employees of a live baitfish dealer are authorized to sell live baitfish only at the business establishment. The current year's live baitfish dealer's license shall be displayed for public viewing at the business establishment. If a parent company has multiple business establishments, a live baitfish dealer's license shall be required at each separate business establishment selling live baitfish.
(e) All wild caught live baitfish transported out of the water of capture shall be held in aquaria when not in use.
(i) Wild caught live baitfish confined to a live car, net, pen or other enclosure in the same water from which the baitfish were captured are exempt from the aquaria holding requirement.
(f) All enclosures and aquaria shall have the owner's name and live baitfish license number attached while in use.
(g) Live baitfish may be held indefinitely by the holder of a valid live baitfish dealer license, but shall not be released, abandoned or allowed to escape.
(h) A live baitfish dealer may be licensed to obtain and sell:
(i) Commercially produced live baitfish for use in all locations east of the continental divide where permitted as described in Sections 23, 26 and 33 of this chapter; or,
(ii) Commercially produced live baitfish and wild caught live baitfish for use in one specific live baitfish location; or,
(iii) Commercially produced live baitfish for use in all locations east of the continental divide where permitted as described in Sections 23, 26 and 33 of this chapter and wild caught live baitfish for use in one specific live baitfish location. Commercially produced live baitfish and wild caught live baitfish shall have separate fish holding facilities and the live baitfish dealer shall maintain separate records for each facility.
(i) All wild caught live baitfish obtained, possessed, or sold shall be subject to the restrictions specified in Sections 6, 8, 18, 23, 26, 29 and 33 of this chapter.
(j) A live baitfish dealer may receive live baitfish from other licensed live baitfish dealers, provided that all wild caught live baitfish were legally obtained from the same live baitfish location for which the dealer is licensed.
(k) Live baitfish dealers shall issue a receipt to the buyer at the time of sale. Receipts shall be filled out completely, they shall be issued by the live baitfish dealer or an employee of the live baitfish dealer and no information on the receipt shall be completed by the buyer. The receipt shall show the dealer's name and address, the number of fish sold, the date of the transfer, appropriate expiration date and where the fish shall be used. Receipt forms shall be provided by the Department.
(i) Live baitfish dealers fishing with their own live baitfish must also be in possession of either a valid live baitfish receipt or a valid seining license when in the field.
(ii) Live baitfish dealers authorized to sell wild caught live baitfish shall issue receipts that expire fifteen (15) consecutive days from the date of sale.
(iii) Live baitfish dealers authorized to sell only commercially produced live baitfish shall issue receipts that expire thirty (30) consecutive days from the date of sale.
(l) Live baitfish dealers shall keep records of live baitfish sources on forms provided by the Department. All live baitfish brought into the business establishment shall be promptly recorded on the record of live baitfish source, including baitfish collected under the dealer's own seining license and baitfish received from commercial fish hatchery license holders, Department approved fish hatcheries, and other licensed live baitfish dealers.
(m) Live baitfish dealers shall maintain at the established business location legible, current, accurate and complete baitfish receipts and records of live baitfish sources.
(n) Copies of the completed receipts and records of live baitfish sources shall be returned to a Department regional office or to the Cheyenne Headquarters (License Section) by January 15 for transactions that occurred the prior calendar year.
(o) Department personnel may inspect the holding facilities, aquaria, enclosures and fish of live baitfish dealers during normal business hours.
(i) If an inspection discloses species of wildlife not authorized by the Department or an aquatic invasive species, the Department may order the wildlife, including all fish in the holding facilities, aquaria, and enclosures removed from Wyoming or destroyed.
(p) Live baitfish dealer licenses are subject to suspension or revocation for failure to comply with any provision of this Section.
(i) Any revocation of a live baitfish dealer license other than a court hearing revocation shall be subject to contested case proceedings in accordance with Commission Regulation Chapter 27, Rules Of Practice Governing Contested Cases Before The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.
(ii) A licensed live baitfish dealer may appeal a Department decision made under the authority of this chapter by submitting a written request to the Chief of Fisheries at Department headquarters for reconsideration within thirty (30) consecutive days from the date of receipt of written notification of the decision being contested. If a licensee fails to request an appeal within thirty (30) consecutive days, the licensee shall waive their ability to make any future appeal of the Department’s decision. Appeals shall be conducted in accordance with the Department Decision appeals process described in Commission Regulation Chapter 51, Private Fish Hatcheries.
(a) The use or possession of live baitfish is prohibited throughout Areas 1 and 4 (defined in Sections 16 and 27 of this chapter) and on all waters in Areas 2, 3, and 5 except as otherwise provided in Sections 18, 23, 26, 29 and 33 of this chapter which describe where live baitfish may be obtained, possessed and used.
(b) The specific waters from which wild caught live baitfish may be seined, netted or trapped and used are listed in Sections 18, 23, 26, 29 and 33 of this chapter. Wild caught live baitfish shall not be transported out of the designated wild caught live baitfish possession area from which they were collected. This area shall be listed on the seining license, live baitfish dealer license or live baitfish receipt.
(c) No person shall possess live baitfish while fishing on any water where the use of live baitfish is prohibited.
(d) Commercially produced live baitfish may be transported and possessed throughout Areas 2, 3 and 5 (east of the continental divide) except where the use of live baitfish is prohibited. Use or possession of commercially produced live baitfish is prohibited on all waters except as otherwise provided in Sections 18, 23, 26, 29 and 33 of this chapter.
(e) Possession of live brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) is prohibited in Wyoming.
(f) Live Goldfish (Carassius auratus) or koi shall not be in possession while fishing in accordance with Commission Regulation Chapter 52, Take of Nongame Wildlife from Within Wyoming.
(g) Persons with live baitfish in possession shall produce, upon request from Department personnel, either a live baitfish dealer's license, receipt from a licensed live baitfish dealer or a valid, unexpired seining license verifying the origin of the live baitfish.
(h) No live baitfish shall be transported into the state for use as live baitfish except as provided in Section 7 of this chapter.
(i) All live baitfish shall be held in aquaria when not in transport or in use.
(j) Live baitfish shall not be released, abandoned, or allowed to escape and must be killed when the receipt expires.
(k) Dead baitfish may be used as bait. Restrictions on the use of dead baitfish are designated within the regulations for the specific drainage area in Sections 18, 20, 23, 26, 29 and 33 of this chapter. Nongame fish taken by the use of legal fishing methods during any season open for the taking of game fish may be used as dead bait. Any live baitfish captured for use as dead bait shall be killed immediately and shall not be transported live.
Section 9. Closure of Fish Holding Facilities. All fish rearing and retaining ponds used by the state including those located at state fish hatcheries, or any that may be constructed elsewhere, are closed to fishing throughout the calendar year. Temporary facilities at spawning station sites are closed to fishing during the time they are in use by the Department.
(a) No person shall use an underwater spear gun to take game fish under water without obtaining a fishing license.
(b) Fish may be taken by underwater spear gun fishing in lakes only.
(i) Underwater spear gun fishing is not permitted within one hundred (100) yards of any designated swimming or water ski areas, boat dock, ramp or spillway.
(ii) A diver flag shall be displayed on the water when diving or underwater spear gun fishing. It shall be a rectangular flag that is either blue and white in color or red in color with a white diagonal stripe, not less than twelve (12) inches by twelve (12) inches and displayed no less than three (3) feet above the surface of the water.
(c) The use of artificial light to take game fish with a spear gun is prohibited.
(d) All spears used on spear guns shall be attached to the spear gun with a shooting line with a maximum length of twenty (20) feet.
(e) The limit on walleye taken by spear gun shall be two (2) per day or in possession, except where designated as nongame fish or where otherwise provided for Alcova Reservoir in Section 32 of this chapter. All other general and water-specific creel and possession limits shall apply.
Section 11. Transportation of Live Fish. No person shall transport live fish or live fish eggs from the water of capture, except as provided by Commission regulations or as authorized by the Department.
Section 12. Tagging or Marking Fish. No person shall tag or mark fish and release them into the waters of this state without prior written approval from the Department.
Section 13. Ice Fishing Shelters. Any person utilizing an enclosed ice fishing shelter on the waters of this state shall remove the shelter from the body of water before ice-out.
(a) Fishing contests held on waters of this state shall be approved and authorized in writing by the Department. No person shall conduct a fishing contest without first obtaining a fishing contest permit. The permittee shall adhere to all requirements and stipulations provided on the fishing contest permit.
(b) Applications. Anyone desiring to hold a fishing contest shall submit an application for a fishing contest permit on a form provided by the Department. Fishing contest applications may be submitted one (1) year (365 days) prior to the start of the fishing contest, but shall be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the start of the fishing contest.
(c) Live Release Fishing Contests. No person shall release live fish in a fishing contest without a fishing contest permit authorizing live release.
(d) Reasons for Denying Fishing Contest Permits. The Department may deny an application if information is falsified on the application, or if the application is incomplete or incorrectly filled out. Fishing contest permits shall not be issued if the Department determines the fishing contest does not comply with Wyoming Statutes, Commission regulations, shall be harmful to the fisheries resource, or that public use facilities such as boat ramps, parking areas, campgrounds, and related facilities are inadequate to support the contest. Failure to comply with the requirements of the fishing contest permit is a violation of Commission regulations and may result in denial of future fishing contest permits.
(e) Post-Fishing Contest Report Required. Within thirty (30) days after completion of the fishing contest, the permittee shall submit a legible, complete and accurate written report to the Department on a form provided by the Department. Failure to submit this report may result in denial of future fishing contest permits.
(f) Fishing Contest-Free Period. The following restrictions apply for waters covered by the special fishing contest provision.
(i) Waters included under the special fishing contest provision are listed with the regulations for those drainage areas in Section 32 of this chapter.
(ii) The Department shall authorize fishing contests such that each water included in the 'Special Fishing Contest Provision' has a period of at least two (2) weeks when fishing contests are not allowed.
(iii) The specific dates when contests are not allowed are listed with the regulations for those drainage areas in Section 32 of this chapter.
Section 15. Established Check Stations, Mandatory Reporting. Upon request of any authorized Department representative, anyone who has been fishing shall produce a valid license and conservation stamp, if required, and fish. Even if the fish in possession have been cut and wrapped or processed, the person transporting fish shall stop and report at the check station.
Section 16. Area 1 Coverage. Area 1 means the Snake River, Salt River, Greys River, Hoback River, Gros Ventre River and Buffalo Fork River drainages and all drainages west of the Teton and Snake River Ranges.
Section 17. Area 1 Exceptions to General Provisions. Fishing is permitted as described in Sections 1 through 15 of this chapter, except as otherwise specified in this Section:
(a) All streams within Area 1, unless indicated otherwise, in Fremont, Lincoln, Sublette, and Teton counties.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be three (3) per day or in possession.
(A) No more than one (1) trout shall exceed sixteen (16) inches; and,
(B) No more than one (1) cutthroat trout shall exceed twelve (12)
inches.
(A) No more than one (1) shall be cutthroat trout; and,
(B) All cutthroat trout less than twenty (20) inches shall be released to the water immediately.
(iii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies only.
(h) Salt River drainage upstream from the Upper Narrows Bridge (Wyoming Highway 238) in Lincoln County.
(i) All trout shall be released to the water immediately from November 1 through December 31.
(ii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only from November 1 through December 31.
(i) Salt River from one quarter (¼) mile below the Wyoming Highway 238 Bridge downstream to the Diversion (Murray) Fishing Access as posted in Lincoln County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(j) Snake River proper from the Yellowstone National Park boundary downstream to Jackson Lake in Teton County.
(i) All cutthroat trout shall be released to the water immediately from November 1 through March 31.
(k) Snake River proper from one hundred fifty (150) feet below Jackson Lake dam downstream to the gauging station one thousand (1,000) feet below Jackson Lake dam in Teton County.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be six (6) per day or in possession.
(A) No more than three (3) shall be cutthroat trout; and,
(B) No more than one (1) cutthroat trout shall exceed twelve (12) inches.
(l) Snake River proper from one thousand (1,000) feet below Jackson Lake dam (at gauging station) downstream to the Wyoming Highway 22 Bridge (Wilson Bridge) in Teton County.
(i) All cutthroat trout shall be released to the water immediately from November 1 through March 31.
(ii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(m) Snake River proper from Wyoming Highway 22 Bridge (Wilson Bridge) downstream to Palisades Reservoir in Lincoln and Teton counties.
(i) All cutthroat trout shall be released to the water immediately from November 1 through March 31.
(n) Soda Lake in the Gros Ventre River drainage in Teton County.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be one (1) per day or in possession.
(A) All trout less than twenty (20) inches shall be released to the water immediately.
(ii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
Section 18. Area 1 Baitfish. The use or possession of live baitfish in Area 1 is prohibited. Holders of valid seining licenses may only seine, net, trap or spear baitfish native to the drainage for use as dead bait, excluding the waters within Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. Any baitfish captured shall be killed immediately. Baitfish permissible for use as dead bait in the Snake River drainage are redside shiner, speckled dace, longnose dace, Paiute sculpin, mottled sculpin, Utah chub, Utah sucker and commercially preserved dead baitfish.
Section 19. Palisades Reservoir Boundaries. The boundaries of Palisades Reservoir shall be the confluence of the Snake and Greys rivers and McCoy Creek Bridge on the Salt River arm.
(a) Fishing is permitted as described in Sections 1 through 18 of this chapter, except as otherwise specified in this Section. Fishing shall be in conformance with laws and regulations of the Commission, the state of Wyoming and the regulations of the National Park Service.
(b) All lakes within the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway and Grand Teton National Park in Area 1, unless indicated otherwise.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be six (6) per day or in possession.
(A) No more than three (3) shall be cutthroat trout; and,
(B) No more than one (1) cutthroat trout shall exceed twelve (12)
inches.
(c) All streams within the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway and Grand Teton National Park in Area 1, unless otherwise indicated.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be three (3) per day or in possession.
(A) No more than one (1) trout shall exceed sixteen (16) inches; and,
(B) No more than one (1) cutthroat trout shall exceed twelve (12)
inches.
(d) All streams within the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway and Grand Teton National Park, excluding Buffalo Fork River, Gros Ventre River, Pacific Creek, Polecat Creek and Snake River.
(i) Closed to fishing December 1 through July 31.
(ii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(e) The following fishless lakes are closed to fishing throughout the calendar year: Christian Ponds, Hedrick Pond, Moose Pond, Sawmill Pond and Swan Lake.
(f) Blacktail Spring Ponds.
(i) Closed to fishing December 1 through July 31.
(ii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(g) Snake River proper.
(i) See Snake River exceptions in Section 17 of this chapter.
(h) The use or possession of live baitfish is prohibited. The use or possession of dead baitfish or parts thereof is prohibited on all waters except that it shall be permissible to possess or use the following dead baitfish on any lake where fishing is not restricted to the use of artificial flies and lures only; redside shiner, speckled dace, longnose dace, Paiute sculpin, mottled sculpin, Utah chub, Utah sucker and commercially preserved dead baitfish.
(i) The use of archery equipment and spear guns is prohibited.
Section 21. Area 2 Coverage. Area 2 means the Wind River, Bighorn River, Shoshone River, Clarks Fork and Yellowstone River drainages.
Section 22. Area 2 Exceptions to General Provisions. Fishing is permitted as described in Sections 1 through 15 of this chapter, except as otherwise specified in this Section:
(a) All waters within Area 2 in Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs, Johnson, Park, Teton and Washakie counties.
(i) Northern pike are designated as nongame fish.
(ii) All northern pike caught shall be killed immediately.
(b) Bighorn and Wind river drainage lakes and streams in Area 2 in Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties.
(i) All walleye and sauger shall be kept whole (gills and entrails may be removed) until the angler is off the water or ice and done fishing for the day. Once off the water or ice and done fishing for the day, walleye and sauger can be filleted for transportation and storage. A piece of skin large enough to allow species identification (at least one (1) inch square) shall remain on all fish fillets while in transit or in the field.
(c) Bighorn Lake downstream from the causeway (U.S. Highway 14A) in Big Horn County.
(i) The creel and possession limits are as follows:
(A) Trout - five (5) fish per day, ten (10) fish in possession;
(B) Bass - ten (10) fish per day, twenty (20) in possession;
(C) Burbot (ling) – three (3) fish per day or in possession;
(D) Channel catfish – six (6) fish per day or in possession;
(E) Crappie – fifteen (15) fish per day, thirty (30) in possession;
(F) Walleye and sauger - six (6) fish per day no more than three (3) shall be sauger, twelve (12) fish in possession, no more than three (3) shall be sauger. All walleye and sauger must be kept whole (gills and entrails may be removed) until the angler is off the water or ice and done fishing for the day;
(G) Shovelnose sturgeon – two (2) fish per day or in possession; and,
(H) Other game species - no limit.
(d) Buffalo Bill Reservoir, excluding South Fork and Diamond Creek Dike Ponds in Park County.
(i) That portion lying west of a straight line connecting the mouths of Rattlesnake Creek and Sheep Creek (commonly known as Spring Creek) up the drainage to Gibbs Bridge is closed to fishing from April 1 through July 14.
(ii) The creel limit on trout shall be six (6) per day or in possession.
(A) No more than two (2) shall be cutthroat trout, rainbow trout or their hybrids.
(iii) Walleye are designated as nongame fish.
(iv) All walleye caught shall be killed immediately.
(e) Clarks Fork River proper from the Wyoming/Montana state line downstream to the Shoshone National Forest Boundary (at mouth of Clarks Fork River Canyon) in Park County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(f) Deaver Reservoir in Park County.
(i) The creel limit of walleye shall be three (3) per day or in possession.
(g) East Fork of the Wind River drainage streams upstream from the confluence with the Wind River, including Bear Creek and Wiggins Fork, in Fremont County.
(i) All cutthroat trout shall be released to the water immediately.
(ii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(h) East Newton Lake in Park County.
(i) All trout and brook trout shall be released to the water immediately.
(ii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(i) Fish Lake in Fremont County.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be three (3) per day or in possession.
(A) No more than one (1) trout shall exceed sixteen (16) inches.
(j) Grace Lake in Big Horn County.
(i) The creel limit on brook trout shall be two (2) per day or in possession.
(ii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(k) Lake Cameahwait (Bass Lake) in Fremont County.
(i) The creel limit on largemouth bass shall be two (2) per day or in possession.
(A) All bass between ten (10) and fifteen (15) inches (inclusive) shall be released to the water immediately; and,
(B) No more than one (1) bass shall exceed fifteen (15) inches.
(l) Little Moose Lake in Park County.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be two (2) per day or in possession.
(ii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(m) Luce Reservoir in Park County.
(i) All trout shall be released to the water immediately.
(ii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(n) Luckey Pond in Fremont County.
(i) Closed to ice fishing.
(o) North Fork of the Shoshone River drainage from Newton Creek downstream to Gibbs Bridge (including Newton Creek) in Park County.
(i) Closed to fishing from April 15 through June 30.
(p) North Fork of the Shoshone River drainage upstream of Gibbs Bridge in Park County.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be two (2) per day or in possession.
(ii) Walleye are designated as nongame fish.
(iii) All walleye caught shall be killed immediately.
(q) Nowood River drainage streams upstream from the confluence with the Bighorn River including Paintrock and Tensleep Creeks in Big Horn, Johnson, and Washakie counties.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be six (6) per day, or in possession.
(r) Pelham Lake in Fremont County.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be two (2) per day or in possession.
Section 23. Area 2 Live Baitfish. The use or possession of live baitfish in Area 2 is prohibited except as otherwise specified in this Section and Sections 6 and 8 of this chapter.
(a) Area 2 Live Baitfish location A. Live baitfish may be used for bait in the waters listed in subsection (i), provided the baitfish are obtained from a licensed live baitfish dealer authorized to sell baitfish for use in these waters or the baitfish were seined or trapped from the waters listed below in subsection (ii). Live baitfish restricted to use in location A shall not be transported out of the designated wild caught live baitfish possession area defined in subsection (iii).
(i) Live baitfish may be used in the following waters:
(ii) A holder of a valid seining license may seine, net, trap or spear baitfish from the following waters:
(A) Wind River and Bighorn River drainages downstream from the western boundary of the Wind River Reservation.
(iii) The designated wild caught live baitfish possession area for location A is the Wind River and Bighorn River drainages downstream from the western boundary of the Wind River Reservation.
Section 24. Area 3 Coverage. Area 3 means the Niobrara River, Cheyenne River, Stockade-Beaver Creek, Sand Creek, Belle Fourche River, Little Missouri River, Little Powder River, Powder River, Tongue River, and Little Bighorn River drainages.
Section 25. Area 3 Exceptions to General Provisions. Fishing is permitted as described in Sections 1 through 15 of this chapter, except as otherwise specified in this Section:
(a) All streams within Area 3, unless indicated otherwise, in Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Natrona, Sheridan, Washakie and Weston counties.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be six (6) per day or in possession.
(b) All waters within Area 3 in Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Natrona, Niobrara, Sheridan, Washakie and Weston counties, with the exception of all waters within the boundaries of Keyhole State Park.
(i) Northern pike are designated as nongame fish.
(ii) All northern pike caught shall be killed immediately.
(c) Bull Creek in Sheridan County.
(i) All trout shall be released to the water immediately.
(ii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(d) Keyhole Reservoir, all waters within the boundaries of Keyhole State Park in Crook County.
(i) The creel limit on northern pike shall be three (3) per day or in possession.
(A) All northern pike less than thirty (30) inches in length shall be released to the water immediately.
(e) Middle Fork of Powder River, from Bachaus Creek downstream to the Bar C Road (Johnson County Road 238) on the Bar C Ranch in Johnson County.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be three (3) per day or in possession.
(A) No more than one (1) trout shall exceed sixteen (16) inches.
(f) Muddy Guard Reservoir No. 1 in Johnson County.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be one (1) per day or in possession.
(A) All trout less than twenty (20) inches shall be released to the water immediately.
(ii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(g) North Tongue River drainage upstream of U.S. Forest Service Road 15 (Burgess Road) in Sheridan County.
(i) All trout shall be released to the water immediately.
(ii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(h) North Sayles Reservoir #1 (on Bud Love WHMA) in Johnson County.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be one (1) per day or in possession.
(ii) All trout less than twenty (20) inches shall be released to the water immediately.
(iii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(i) Sand Creek, from the Black Hills National Forest boundary downstream through the Ranch A property (Wyoming State Trust Land) in Crook County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures.
(j) Tongue River drainage lakes and streams in Area 3 in Johnson and Sheridan counties.
(i) All walleye and sauger shall be kept whole (gills and entrails may be removed) until the angler is off the water or ice and done fishing for the day. Once off the water or ice and done fishing for the day, walleye and sauger can be filleted for transportation and storage. A piece of skin large enough to allow species identification (at least one (1) inch square) shall remain on all fish fillets while in transit or in the field.
Section 26. Area 3 Live Baitfish. The use or possession of live baitfish in Area 3 is prohibited except as otherwise specified in this Section and Sections 6 and 8 of this chapter.
(a) Area 3 Live Baitfish location A. Live baitfish may be used for bait in the waters listed in subsection (i), provided the baitfish are obtained from a licensed live baitfish dealer authorized to sell baitfish for use in these waters or the baitfish were seined or trapped from the waters listed below in subsection (ii). Live baitfish restricted to use in location A shall not be transported out of the designated wild caught live baitfish possession area defined in subsection (iii).
(i) Live baitfish may be used in the following waters:
(A) Keyhole Reservoir; and,
(B) Belle Fourche River proper.
(ii) A holder of a valid seining license may seine, net, trap or spear baitfish from the following waters:
(A) Keyhole Reservoir; and,
(B) Belle Fourche River drainage.
(iii) The designated wild caught live baitfish possession area for location A is the Belle Fourche River drainage and the Little Powder River drainage upstream of the confluence of Cottonwood Creek in Campbell County.
(b) Area 3 Live Baitfish location B. Live baitfish may be used for bait in the waters listed in subsection (i), provided the baitfish are obtained from a licensed live baitfish dealer authorized to sell commercially produced live baitfish as described in Section 7 (h) of this chapter.
(i) Commercially produced live baitfish may be used in the following waters:
(A) Lake DeSmet;
(B) Healy Reservoir in Johnson County; and,
(C) LAK Reservoir.
(c) Area 3 Live Baitfish location C. The use or possession of live baitfish in Area 3C is prohibited. A holder of a valid seining license may seine, net, trap or spear baitfish in the Tongue River and Goose Creek (Sheridan and Johnson counties) drainages upstream of the Wyoming-Montana state line. Any live baitfish captured shall be killed immediately and used only as dead bait.
Section 27. Area 4 Coverage. Area 4 means the Green River, Little Snake River, Bear River and Great Divide Basin drainages.
Section 28. Area 4 Exceptions to General Provisions. Fishing is permitted as described in Sections 1 through 15 of this chapter, except as otherwise specified in this Section:
(a) All waters within Area 4 in Carbon, Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater and Uinta counties.
(i) Burbot (ling), walleye, yellow perch and northern pike are designated as nongame fish.
(ii) All burbot, walleye, yellow perch and northern pike caught shall be killed immediately.
(b) Bear River drainage streams including Smiths Fork and Salt Creek (also called Thomas Fork) drainages, unless indicated otherwise, in Lincoln and Uinta counties.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be six (6) per day or in possession.
(A) No more than three (3) shall be a cutthroat trout; and,
(B) No more than one (1) cutthroat trout shall exceed sixteen (16)
inches.
(c) Burnt Lake in Sublette County.
(i) Closed to fishing from December 1 through April 30.
(d) Currant Creek in Sweetwater County.
(i) Closed to fishing from April 1 through June 30.
(ii) All cutthroat trout shall be released to the water immediately.
(iii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(e) Fall Creek in Sublette County.
(i) Closed to fishing from May 1 through June 30 from Burnt Lake downstream five hundred (500) yards.
(f) Fish Creek drainage (of South Piney Creek) on the Bridger-Teton National Forest upstream from the forest boundary in Sublette County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(g) Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Sweetwater County.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be four (4) per day or in possession. No more than three (3) shall be kokanee salmon.
(ii) Lake trout are designated as nongame fish.
(A) There are no creel or possession limits on lake trout twenty-eight (28) inches and smaller.
(B) No more than one (1) lake trout in possession shall exceed twenty-eight (28) inches.
(iii) All kokanee salmon caught from September 10 through November 30 shall be released to the water immediately.
(iv) All game fish shall be kept whole (gills and entrails may be removed) until the angler is off the water or ice and done fishing for the day. Once off the water or ice and done fishing for the day, game fish can be filleted for transportation and storage. A piece of skin large enough to allow species identification (at least one (1) inch square) shall remain on all fish fillets while in transit or in the field.
(v) All smallmouth bass shall be returned to the water immediately.
(vi) The possession or use of gaffs for landing fish is prohibited.
(vii) See Section 30 of this chapter. Flaming Gorge Reservoir Reciprocal Stamp.
(h) Green River from Warren Bridge (U.S. Highway 191) downstream to the Swain's (Wood's) Bridge, Sublette County Road 23-179 in Sublette County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(i) Green River from Fontenelle Dam downstream approximately one (1) mile to the U.S. Geological Survey gauge station (cable crossing) at the Weeping Rocks Campground in Sweetwater County.
(i) Closed to fishing from October 1 through December 31.
(j) Green River from the Sweetwater County Road 8 Bridge, 4.5 miles below Fontenelle Dam, downstream to the Big Sandy River in Sweetwater County.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be one (1) per day or in possession.
(A) All trout less than twenty (20) inches shall be released to the water immediately.
(ii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(k) Halfmoon Lake in Sublette County.
(i) The creel limit on lake trout shall be two (2) per day or in possession.
(A) No more than one (1) lake trout shall exceed twenty-four (24) inches.
(l) Ham's Fork River from Viva Naughton Reservoir downstream to Kemmerer City Reservoir in Lincoln County.
(i) Closed to fishing from September 1 through April 30.
(u) New Fork River from the Mesa Road Bridge (Sublette County Road 23-123) downstream to the confluence with the East Fork River in Sublette County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(v) North Cottonwood Creek drainage (including Maki Creek) on the Bridger-Teton National Forest upstream from the forest boundary in Sublette County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(w) North Horse Creek and Lead Creek drainage on the Bridger-Teton National Forest upstream from the forest boundary in Sublette County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(x) North Piney Creek drainage on the Bridger-Teton National Forest upstream from the forest boundary in Sublette County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(y) North Piney Lake and upstream tributaries in Sublette County.
(i) Closed to fishing from June 1 through July 15.
(ii) The creel limit on cutthroat trout shall be one (1) per day or in possession.
(iii) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(z) Pinedale Children's Pond in Sublette County.
(i) It shall be unlawful for persons fourteen (14) years of age and older to fish.
(aa) Rock Crib Lake in Sublette County.
(i) The creel limit on brook trout shall be six (6) per day or in possession.
(bb) Salt Creek (also called Thomas Fork) drainage (including Raymond Creek) upstream from the Wyoming-Idaho state line in Lincoln County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(cc) Smiths Fork drainage upstream from the Hobble Creek confluence (including Hobble Creek drainage) in Lincoln County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(dd) Soda Lake north of Pinedale in Sublette County.
(i) The creel limit on trout and brook trout in combination shall be one (1) per day or in possession.
(ee) South Cottonwood Creek drainage, excluding Soda Lake ponds, on the Bridger-Teton National Forest upstream from the forest boundary in Sublette County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(ff) South Horse Creek drainage on the Bridger-Teton National Forest upstream from the forest boundary in Sublette County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(gg) Viva Naughton Reservoir in Lincoln County.
(i) The creel limit on trout shall be six (6) per day or in possession.
(A) No more than one (1) trout shall exceed twenty (20) inches.
(ii) Upstream face of Viva Naughton Dam closed to fishing throughout the calendar year (no one shall fish from the dam).
(hh) Wagon Creek Lake in Sublette County.
(i) The creel limit on brook trout shall be six (6) per day or in possession.
Section 29. Area 4 Baitfish. The use or possession of live baitfish in Area 4 is prohibited. A holder of a valid seining license may seine, net, trap or spear baitfish in the Green and Bear River drainages, excluding Kendall Warm Springs, Halfmoon Lake, Little Halfmoon Lake, Burnt Lake, the Bitter Creek drainage upstream of Rock Springs city limits and the Big Sandy drainage upstream of Big Sandy Reservoir. Any live baitfish captured shall be killed immediately and used only as dead bait.
Section 30. Flaming Gorge Reservoir Reciprocal Fishing Agreement.
(a) Reciprocal fishing privileges for Utah resident anglers and Wyoming resident anglers on Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
(i) Any person possessing a valid Wyoming resident fishing license may fish Flaming Gorge Reservoir within Wyoming without a Utah reciprocal fishing stamp.
(ii) Any person possessing a valid Wyoming resident fishing license and a valid Utah reciprocal fishing stamp may fish Flaming Gorge Reservoir in its entirety, regardless of state boundary.
(iii) Any person possessing a valid Utah resident fishing license may fish Flaming Gorge Reservoir within Utah without possessing a Wyoming reciprocal fishing stamp.
(iv) Any person possessing a valid Utah resident fishing license and a valid Wyoming reciprocal fishing stamp may fish Flaming Gorge Reservoir in its entirety, regardless of state boundary.
(v) The fee for a Wyoming reciprocal stamp shall be thirty dollars ($30).
(b) When daily creel limits are the same in both states for a species or category, neither state shall allow any angler to harvest more than one daily creel limit from the entire reservoir, regardless of the number of state fishing licenses or reciprocal stamps in the angler's possession.
(c) When daily creel limits differ between states for a species or category, legally licensed anglers in possession of a valid reciprocal stamp or anglers legally licensed in both states, shall be entitled to catch a daily creel limit from each state's portion of the reservoir and legally transport those fish throughout the entire reservoir and on land in both states.
Section 31. Area 5 Coverage. Area 5 means the North Platte River, Sweetwater River and South Platte River drainages.
Section 32. Area 5 Exceptions to General Provisions. Fishing is permitted as described in Sections 1 through 15 of this chapter, except as otherwise specified in this Section:
(a) All lakes within Area 5, unless indicated otherwise, in Albany, Carbon, Converse, Goshen, Laramie, Natrona, Niobrara, and Platte counties.
(i) The creel limit on brook trout shall be six (6) per day or in possession.
(b) All streams within Area 5, unless indicated otherwise, in Albany, Carbon, Converse, Goshen, Laramie, Natrona, Niobrara and Platte counties.
(i) The creel limit on brook trout shall be sixteen (16) per day or in possession.
(c) The total combined creel limit for the brook trout category, regardless of the waters (streams, lakes or a combination of both), a person is fishing, shall not exceed sixteen (16) per day or in possession.
(d) All waters within Area 5 in Albany, Carbon, Converse, Goshen, Laramie, Natrona, Niobrara and Platte counties.
(A) No fishing contests shall be approved from June 15 through June 30 during each calendar year.
(l) Grayrocks Reservoir in Platte County.
(i) Between the spillway and floating regulatory buoys or as designated by regulatory signing is closed to fishing throughout the calendar year.
(ii) The creel limit on largemouth and smallmouth bass in combination shall be three (3) per day or in possession.
(A) No more than one (1) shall exceed twelve (12) inches.
(m) Huck Finn Pond in Albany County.
(i) It shall be unlawful for persons fourteen (14) years of age and older to fish.
(n) Lake Absarraca (Country Club Lake) in Laramie County.
(i) All largemouth and smallmouth bass less than fifteen (15) inches shall be released to the water immediately.
(o) North Platte River Drainage from the Colorado-Wyoming state line downstream to the Dave Johnston Power Plant Dam in Converse County.
(i) The creel limit on walleye shall be twelve (12) per day or in possession.
(A) No more than six (6) walleye shall exceed fourteen (14) inches.
(ii) All walleye must be kept whole (gills and entrails may be removed) until the angler is off the water or ice and done fishing for the day. Once off the water or ice and done fishing for the day, walleye can be filleted for transportation and storage.
(p) North Platte River from Colorado-Wyoming state line downstream to the Saratoga Inn (Texas Trail) Bridge in Carbon County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of artificial flies and lures only.
(q) North Platte River from Kortes Dam downstream to Pathfinder Reservoir (Miracle Mile) in Carbon County.
(i) Fishing is permitted by the use of single-point barbless hooks only.
(r) North Platte River from the vehicle bridge eight tenths (0.8) of a mile downstream from Pathfinder Dam downstream to Alcova Reservoir in Natrona County.
(w) Springer Reservoir in Goshen County.
(i) Closed to fishing from November 1 through February 15.
Section 33. Area 5 Live Baitfish. The use or possession of live baitfish in Area 5 is prohibited except as specified in this Section and Sections 6 and 8 of this chapter.
(a) Area 5 Live Baitfish location A. Live baitfish may be used for bait in the waters listed in subsection (i), provided the baitfish are obtained from a licensed live baitfish dealer authorized to sell baitfish for use in these waters or the baitfish were seined or trapped from the waters listed in subsection (ii). Live baitfish restricted to use in location A shall not be transported out of the designated wild caught live baitfish possession area defined in subsection (iii).
(i) Live baitfish may be used in the following waters:
(A) Bump Sullivan Reservoir;
(B) Festo Lake;
(C) Grayrocks Reservoir;
(D) Guernsey Reservoir;
(E) Hawk Springs Reservoir;
(F) North Platte River proper downstream from Glendo Dam to the Wyoming-Nebraska state line;
(G) Packers Lake;
(H) Rock Lake in Platte County;
(I) Springer Reservoir; and,
(J) Wheatland Reservoir #1 in Platte County;
(ii) A holder of a valid seining license may seine, net, trap, or spear baitfish from the following waters:
(A) Bump Sullivan Reservoir;
(B) Festo Lake;
(C) Grayrocks Reservoir;
(D) Guernsey Reservoir;
(E) Hawk Springs Reservoir;
(F) North Platte River proper from Glendo Dam downstream to the Wyoming-Nebraska state line;
(G) Packers Lake;
(H) Rock Lake in Platte County;
(I) Springer Reservoir;
(J) Wheatland Reservoir #1 in Platte County; and,
(K) Canals and ditches within Wyoming that are in the Interstate and Fort Laramie canal systems in Goshen County downstream from the Whalen Diversion on the North Platte River.
(iii) The designated wild caught live baitfish possession area for location A is the North Platte River drainage below Glendo Dam, excluding all locations in the South Platte River drainage and all locations in Albany County.
(b) Area 5 Live Baitfish location B. Live baitfish may be used for bait in the waters listed in subsection (i), provided the baitfish are obtained from a licensed live baitfish dealer authorized to sell baitfish for use in these waters or the baitfish were seined or trapped from the waters listed below in subsection (ii). Live baitfish restricted to use in location B shall not be transported out of the designated wild caught live baitfish possession area defined in subsection (iii).
(i) Live baitfish may be used in the following waters:
(A) Pathfinder Reservoir;
(B) Alcova Reservoir;
(C) Gray Reef Reservoir;
(D) Glendo Reservoir;
(E) Kortes Reservoir; and,
(F) North Platte River proper between Seminoe Dam and Glendo Dam, except from Gray Reef Dam to the Highway 220 bridge and from the vehicle bridge eight-tenths (0.8) of a mile downstream from Pathfinder Dam downstream to Alcova Reservoir.
(ii) A holder of a valid seining license may seine, net, trap, or spear baitfish from the following waters:
(A) North Platte River drainage from Seminoe Dam downstream to the bridge on Wyoming Highway 319 (near Orin Junction) in Converse County.
(iii) The designated wild caught live baitfish possession area for location B is the North Platte River drainage below Seminoe Dam downstream to Glendo Dam.
(c) Area 5 Live Baitfish location C. Live baitfish may be used for bait in the waters listed in subsection (i), provided the baitfish are obtained from a licensed live baitfish dealer authorized to sell baitfish for use in these waters or the baitfish were seined or trapped from the waters listed below in subsection (ii). Live baitfish restricted to use in location C shall not be transported out of the designated wild caught live baitfish possession area defined in subsection (iii).
(i) Live baitfish may be used in the following waters:
(A) Seminoe Reservoir; and,
(B) North Platte River from Seminoe Reservoir to Interstate Highway 80.
(ii) A holder of a valid seining license may seine, net or trap baitfish from the following waters:
(A) North Platte River drainage from Interstate Highway 80 downstream to Seminoe Dam.
(iii) The designated wild caught live baitfish possession area for location C is the North Platte River drainage from Interstate Highway 80 downstream to Seminoe Dam.
Section 34. Emergency Closure. Specified waters may be closed to fishing because of an emergency.
Section 35. Free Fishing Day. Anglers may fish without payment of any fee and without acquiring a license pursuant to W.S. § 23-2-201 or a conservation stamp under W.S. § 23-3-306 on the first Saturday of June each calendar year. Anglers may exercise the privileges of sport fishing licensees subject to limitations imposed by law and Commission rule and regulation.
Section 36. Effective Date. These regulations are effective January 1, 2026 and shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the Commission.
WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION
By: _______
Ashlee Lundvall, President
Dated: July 16, 2025