Wyoming stands as a premier destination for anglers seeking trophy trout, with its abundant Blue-Ribbon trout streams offering some of the finest fishing opportunities in North America. These exceptional waters, representing only 3-5 percent of Wyoming’s rivers, must meet strict criteria including superior water quality and impressive fish populations exceeding 600 pounds of trout per mile.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore Wyoming’s most productive Blue-Ribbon waters, when to fish them, essential gear, regulations you need to know, and insider techniques to maximize your success on these world-class fisheries.
What Defines a Blue-Ribbon Trout Stream?
A Blue-Ribbon fishery designation isn’t awarded lightly. According to official criteria, these prestigious waters represent the top tier of trout fishing destinations, characterized by exceptional water quality, accessibility, and remarkable fish populations.
In Wyoming, Blue-Ribbon status is reserved for waters that maintain over 600 pounds of trout per mile. This exclusive designation applies to only 16 rivers statewide, marking them as the crown jewels of Wyoming’s already impressive fishing destinations.
The designation serves as an official recognition of superior fishing quality and helps anglers identify locations offering the highest probability of landing trophy trout in healthy numbers.
Wyoming’s Top Blue-Ribbon Destinations
Wyoming’s collection of Blue-Ribbon trout streams represents some of the most productive fisheries in the United States, each offering distinctive fishing experiences.
North Platte River
The North Platte River stands as Wyoming’s most celebrated Blue-Ribbon fishery, featuring an impressive 130 continuous miles of premium fishing water. The river’s most renowned section, Gray Reef, contains an astonishing 3.5 tons (nearly 7,000 pounds) of fish per mile—approximately 5,200 individual trout. This extraordinary biomass dramatically exceeds the minimum Blue-Ribbon requirement, establishing it as perhaps Wyoming’s most productive trout fishery.
The Gray Reef section consistently produces rainbow trout averaging 16-20 inches, with regular catches exceeding 10 pounds. This remarkable productivity has earned it recognition from American Angler Magazine as a destination where “good eastern brook trout fishermen come to find nirvana.”
| North Platte Section | Average Fish Size | Fish Per Mile | Best Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gray Reef | 16-20 inches | ~5,200 | Spring/Fall |
| Miracle Mile | 16-22 inches | ~2,000 | Year-round |
| Upper North Platte | 12-18 inches | Varies | Summer |
Green River
The Green River near Pinedale represents another crown jewel in Wyoming’s Blue-Ribbon collection. This gorgeous western Wyoming river boasts sections containing up to 14,000 fish per mile—another extraordinary fishery known particularly for its brown and rainbow trout populations.
Below Flaming Gorge Dam, special regulations help maintain the exceptional quality of this fishery, with restrictions often limiting anglers to artificial flies and lures.
Wind River & East Fork
The Wind River and its East Fork tributary offer anglers exceptional fishing opportunities within stunning mountain scenery. These Blue-Ribbon waters flow through some of Wyoming’s most picturesque landscapes and feature healthy populations of wild trout.
Bighorn River
The Bighorn River rounds out Wyoming’s most celebrated Blue-Ribbon waters, offering another tailwater fishery renowned for consistently producing trophy trout.
Habitat Characteristics
Understanding what makes Wyoming’s Blue-Ribbon waters so exceptionally productive can help anglers locate and catch more fish.
Tailwater Advantages
Many of Wyoming’s premier trout streams are tailwater fisheries (river sections below dams), which create uniquely productive environments. These waters maintain cooler temperatures during summer and warmer conditions during winter, creating ideal year-round growing conditions for trout.
The Gray Reef section’s extraordinary productivity is attributed to “habitat, habitat, and habitat,” including optimal physical stream features and clean spawning gravel maintained by annual flushing flows from the dam.
Natural Stream Features
Even Wyoming’s non-tailwater Blue-Ribbon streams share characteristics that support exceptional trout populations:
- Diverse stream structure with riffles, runs, pools, and undercut banks
- Consistent cold water temperatures ideal for trout metabolism
- Abundant insect life supporting robust food chains
- Clean gravel beds for successful natural reproduction
- Limited predation pressure allowing fish to reach trophy size
Fishing Regulations and Conservation
Wyoming’s Blue-Ribbon waters maintain their exceptional status through careful management and conservation practices overseen by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Understanding these regulations is essential for legal and ethical fishing.
Most Wyoming streams, except tailwaters, are managed as self-sustaining fisheries. The North Platte River features special regulations allowing only three trout daily, with just one permitted to exceed 16 inches. These restrictions help maintain the river’s wild brown trout population and preserve its Blue-Ribbon classification.
In 2025, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department began developing new regulations for commercially guided fishing boats to address increasing pressure on premier waters and enhance fishing conditions. This reflects the ongoing commitment to maintaining Wyoming’s world-class fisheries.
For the most current regulations, visit the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website before your trip.
Essential Gear for Wyoming’s Blue-Ribbon Waters
Successful fishing on Wyoming’s premier streams requires appropriate gear suited to these specific waters:
Recommended Rod Setup:
- 9-foot 5-weight rod for most situations
- 9-foot 6-weight rod for larger waters or windy conditions
- Medium-action for versatility across techniques
Terminal Tackle:
- 9-foot 4X-5X leaders for most situations
- 3X tippet for larger streamers
- Fluorocarbon tippet for wary trout in clear water
Fly Selection:
- Dry flies: Adams, PMDs, BWOs, Caddis, Tricos (sizes #14-22)
- Nymphs: Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, Copper Johns (sizes #14-20)
- Streamers: Woolly Buggers, Sculpins, Leech patterns (sizes #4-10)
Before heading out, check local regulations and consider getting a Wyoming fishing license from US Fishing Licenses to ensure you’re properly permitted.
Access Points and Guided Options
Wyoming’s Blue-Ribbon waters offer varied access options:
Public Access
Many premier fishing sections have dedicated public access points maintained by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The North Platte River, for example, features multiple well-maintained access points along the Gray Reef section.
Private Water Access
Some Blue-Ribbon sections flow through private property, requiring either:
- Permission from landowners
- Booking through private fishing clubs
- Hiring guides with private water access
For example, the LaPrele Fly Fishing preserves offer access to 2.4 miles of private Blue-Ribbon streams with packages starting at $375 for a 5-day period.
Guided Trips
For first-time visitors or those seeking expert knowledge, guided trips offer significant advantages. Operations like Four Seasons Anglers provide guided experiences on Blue-Ribbon waters like Gray Reef, including equipment, flies, tippet, lunches, and instruction.
The Trout On Inn located on the Upper Gray Reef section of the North Platte offers exclusive guided fishing experiences with private land access, providing excellent opportunities for trophy trout.
Best Seasons for Wyoming’s Blue-Ribbon Waters
Timing your fishing trip appropriately can significantly impact your success:
Spring (April-June):
- Exceptional hatches, particularly Blue-Winged Olives and midges
- Higher water levels from snowmelt (especially June)
- Potentially the year’s best dry fly fishing during hatches
Summer (July-August):
- Excellent terrestrial fishing (hoppers, ants, beetles)
- More comfortable wading conditions
- Consistent early morning and evening fishing
Fall (September-October):
- Fewer anglers on the water
- Brown trout spawning activity
- Consistent water conditions
- Some of the year’s largest fish
Winter (November-March):
- Limited fishing pressure
- Consistent tailwater fishing opportunities
- Primarily subsurface fishing with midges and small nymphs
Conservation and Ethical Angling
Wyoming’s Blue-Ribbon waters remain exceptional because of conservation efforts and ethical angling practices. Consider these principles when fishing these premier waters:
- Practice catch and release on wild trout when possible
- Use barbless hooks to minimize fish handling stress
- Keep fish wet during photography and release
- Wade carefully to protect spawning habitat and aquatic insects
- Pack out all trash and leave no trace of your visit
By following these practices, you contribute to preserving these extraordinary fisheries for future generations.
Planning Your Wyoming Blue-Ribbon Fishing Trip
For the ultimate Wyoming Blue-Ribbon trout fishing experience, consider these planning tips:
- Research current conditions through local fly shops or online fishing reports
- Book accommodations early, especially during prime seasons
- Consider hiring a guide for your first day to learn the water
- Purchase your Wyoming fishing license before arriving
- Pack for variable weather – Wyoming conditions can change rapidly
- Bring polarized sunglasses for spotting fish in clear water
Conclusion
Wyoming’s Blue-Ribbon trout streams represent some of North America’s finest fishing opportunities, offering exceptional water quality and remarkable trout populations. From the world-famous North Platte to the scenic Wind River, these premier waters provide unforgettable angling experiences for those willing to learn their secrets.
By understanding what makes these waters special, respecting regulations, and employing effective techniques, you’ll maximize your chances for success on Wyoming’s legendary Blue-Ribbon trout waters. Whether you’re casting to rising trout on Gray Reef or swinging streamers on the Green River, Wyoming’s premier fisheries deliver angling experiences that create lifelong memories.
