Trout Species
Wyoming's trout species include Rainbow, Brown, Brook, Lake, Bull, and Cutthroat Trout. The native species are Cutthroat, Rainbow, Bull and Lake Trout. Wyoming is a very popular destination for trout fishing. more info
A Brown Trout
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The most desirable trout are Rainbow and Brown Trout. Rainbows put up a great fight, especially the larger ones. When they strike the fly, the race is on. They immediately start running and that is the fun in fly fishing, the hunt and the chase. The Browns are usually the largest in size for all trout. Many trophy browns have been caught in Wyoming.
Trout species feed on aquatic insects, like the larval stages of mayflies and dragonflies, and freshwater crustaceans like scuds. They also eat insects that live on land, like grasshoppers and ants. Large adult trout can even eat other fish.
Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout spawn in spring. The fish start beefing up on food in early spring and then begin laying eggs in late spring. Brown, Bull, Lake and Brook Trout all spawn in the fall.
Several variables are important for the growth of trout. Water quality is the most important, a stream free of pollution and other environmental impacts will support lots of large healthy and vibrant fish, while a polluted stream can hardly support any healthy trout.
Cutthroat Trout – the official state fish of Wyoming
This is the only trout that is native to Wyoming. It has a crimson slash on either side of the throat, below the lower jaw.
Rainbow Trout - the main stocker
With a reddish stripe running down the side, dark green fins and black spots, the Wyoming record for catching a rainbow was in 1969 in Burnt Lake, Sublette County. The fish weighed 23 lbs, and was 35.5 inches long.
Rainbow Trout in the middle of Winter
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Golden Trout - a beauty of a fish
Known for its great coloring - a red lateral band divides the upper greenish section from the lower gold portion; the top and tail are covered with black spots - the Wyoming record for catching a Golden was in 1948 in Cook Lake, Sublette County. The fish weighed 11 lbs, 4 oz, and was 28 inches long. This is also recognized as a world record.
Brown Trout - abundant in the rivers
Identifying marks are black spots, and reddish orange spots inside light blue circles. The record Brown caught in Wyoming was in 1982 at Anvil Draw, Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The fish weighed 25 lbs, 13 oz, and was 34.25 inches long.
Brook Trout - a very prolific fish
The "brookie" has a body that is dark, with red and white spots within bluish circles. The pectoral, pelvic and anal fins can be orange, with black and white edges. The record Brook caught in Wyoming was in 1976 at Green River Lake, Sublette County. The fish weighed 9 lbs, 11 oz, and was 24.5 inches long.
Lake Trout - the largest trout
The Lake Trout, or Mackinaw, have irregular white spots on their dark bodies. The record caught in Wyoming was in 1983 at Jackson Lake, Teton County. The fish weighed 50 lbs, and was 46 inches long.
Kokanee Salmon - the land-locked sockeye
Most of the year they are bluish-green with silver sides; males have no spots. In the fall, the females turn to a red, gray, and white color. The males change to a deep red, and his mouth becomes hooked, and back arched. The record Kokanee caught in Wyoming was in 1996 at Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The fish weighed 5.73 lbs, and was 26.25 inches long.
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