Fishing in Wyoming facts for kids

A game fish is a type of fish that people like to catch for fun, as a sport. These fish are often very popular with anglers, which is another name for people who fish. When you catch a game fish, you might keep it to eat, or you might release it back into the water. Releasing fish, called "catch-and-release," helps keep fish populations healthy.

A Yellowstone cutthroat trout is a beautiful game fish found in Wyoming.

Fishing Fun in Wyoming

The U.S. state of Wyoming is a fantastic place for fishing! It has about 4,200 lakes and over 27,000 miles of streams where you can fish. That's a lot of water!

Wyoming is home to 78 different kinds of fish. Out of these, 28 are considered game fish, which means they are sought after by anglers. Many of these game fish are native to Wyoming, meaning they have lived there naturally for a long time.

Popular Game Fish

You can find many exciting game fish in Wyoming's waters. Some of the most popular ones include:

• Bass: Like largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, known for their fighting spirit.
• Sunfish: Small, colorful fish that are fun to catch.
• Crappie: Another popular panfish, great for eating.
• Walleye and Sauger: These fish are known for being tasty.
• Yellow Perch: A common and delicious fish.
• Trout, Salmon, and Char: These are some of the most famous game fish, especially in cold, clear waters.
• Pike: A large, predatory fish that can be a thrill to catch.
• Catfish and Bullheads: Bottom-dwelling fish that can grow quite large.
• Burbot: A unique freshwater cod.

All About Trout

Trout are super popular game fish in Wyoming. You can find several different kinds:

• Rainbow trout
• Cutthroat trout
• Brown trout
• Brook trout
• Lake trout

Wyoming is especially famous for its native cutthroat trout. There are four special types of cutthroat trout that live only in certain parts of Wyoming:

• The Colorado River cutthroat trout
• The Yellowstone cutthroat trout
• The Bonneville cutthroat trout
• The Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout

These native trout are very important to Wyoming's natural environment.

Protecting Wyoming's Fish

Even though Wyoming has lots of fish, some things can threaten their populations. It's important to protect these amazing creatures so that fishing can continue for many years.

Threats to Fish

Some of the challenges facing Wyoming's game fish include:

• Invasive Species: These are plants or animals that are not native to an area and can harm the local ecosystem. Examples include the tiny New Zealand mud snail and the common carp, which can outcompete native fish for food and space.
• Diseases: Fish can get sick, just like people. One example is "whirling disease," which affects trout and salmon and can make it hard for them to swim and feed.
• Other Introduced Fish: Sometimes, introducing new types of fish, even other game fish like walleyes, can accidentally upset the balance of the ecosystem and impact native fish.

How We Help Fish

People in Wyoming work hard to protect game fish and their habitats. Here are some ways they do it:

• Licensing: Anglers need to buy a fishing license. The money from these licenses helps fund conservation programs.
• Creel Limits: These are rules about how many fish you can keep each day. This helps make sure that too many fish aren't removed from the water.
• Conservation Stamps: These are special stamps that anglers buy, and the money goes directly to protecting wildlife and their habitats.

By following these rules and supporting conservation efforts, everyone can help keep Wyoming's waters healthy and full of fish for future generations to enjoy!