Shoshone River in Wyoming

Fishing: North Fork of the Shoshone River
(Wapiti Ranger District)

Species Present:
rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, brook trout, Yellowstone cutthroat, brown trout, rainbow-cutthroat hybrids and some lake trout on the lower reaches of the river.

Seasons:
Spring fishing closure from Buffalo Bill Reservoir up to and including Newton Creek in spring and early summer to protect spawning runs of rainbow trout and Yellowstone cutthroat. Ice out usually occurs before the spring closure and high water runoff has usually passed by the time the river reopens to fishing.

Access:
The North Fork of the Shoshone River is located in northwest Wyoming and is a heavy corridor for people visiting Yellowstone Park via the east entrance. The North Fork and East Entrance to Yellowstone is accessed by driving the river corridor on State Highway 14-16-20 (Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway) west out of Cody. The lower reaches of this river are primarily private though there are 3 public fishing areas maintained and well signed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The upper reaches are all located on the Shoshone National Forest lands and are easily accessible via automobile. The headwaters of the North Fork and most of it's tributaries are accessible by foot or horseback only. State Highway 14-16-20 is winter maintained and open for vehicular traffic year round.

Camping:
There are 9 developed campgrounds along Highway 14-16-20. The two campgrounds closest to Yellowstone National Park require hard-sided camping with no tents due to presence of Grizzly Bears.

Comments:
This stretch of the river was once described by Teddy Roosevelt as 50 miles of the most scenic land in America. The fisheries on this river are greatly enhanced by spawning runs of rainbow trout and Yellowstone cutthroat out of Buffalo Bill Reservoir. This river is managed as a wild fishery with all reproduction occurring naturally. Fishermen fishing this river would be well advised to be on the lookout for grizzly bears especially in spring and early summer. Creel limit is 3 fish per day with only 1 fish exceeding 20 inches. Buffalo Bill Reservoir also provides good fishing with a creel limit of 4 fish per day and only 1 fish over 20 inches. The north fork arm of Buffalo Bill also has a seasonal fishing closure in spring and early summer (Please read the regulations before fishing!)

Fishing: South Fork of the Shoshone River
(Wapiti Ranger District)

Species Present:
rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, brook trout, Yellowstone cutthroat, brown trout, and some lake trout on the lower reaches of the river.

Seasons:
Fishing is allowed year round but the area could receive substantial amounts of snow in the winter. Ice out on the main fork of the river is usually around the end of March. Spring runoff usually runs until the middle to end of June.

Access:
The South Fork of the Shoshone River is located in northwest Wyoming and has it's headwaters near the continental divide in the Washakie wilderness. The lower 32 miles are accessed by driving the river corridor on State Highway 291 southwest out of Cody. This turns into Forest Road 479 upon entering the forest. The upper 25 miles can be reached by foot or horseback only. State Highway 291 is maintained year round.

Camping:
The South Fork of the Shoshone River is located in northwest Wyoming and has it's headwaters near the continental divide in the Washakie wilderness. The lower 32 miles are accessed by driving the river corridor on State Highway 291 southwest out of Cody. This turns into Forest Road 479 upon entering the forest. The upper 25 miles can be reached by foot or horseback only. State Highway 291 is maintained year round.

Comments:
Visitors to the upper South Fork valley in the winter stand a good chance of observing bighorn sheep on their wintering grounds. This river is managed as a wild fishery with predominant emphasis on Yellowstone cutthroat (upper reaches). The lower reaches are an excellent brown trout fishery though access is limited due to private lands.

For further camping and access information, contact:
Shoshone National Forest
Phone: 307-527-6241

For specific fishing regulations or species and size information, contact:
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Cody Regional Office
2820 State Highway 120
Cody, Wyoming 82414
Phone: 307-527-7125

- content from US Forest Service