Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions Fishing

Q. Do I need to wear a life jacket when fishing from a float tube?

A. No. Under Wyoming law, float tubes, inner tubes, air mattresses, sail boards and other devices maneuvered without motor, oars or paddles are considered "water sport toys" and are exempt from the life jacket requirement. When using devices that utilize oars or paddles (e.g. fishing catarafts and paddle boards) and water sport toys with motors (e.g. float tube with electric motor) or those that are towed by a boat (e.g. inner tube pulled behind motor boat) a life jacket is required. A personal floatation device (PFD) of suitable size for the operator must be on board these craft and if the craft is being towed by a motorized watercraft, the PFD must be worn.

Q. I see in the fishing regulations that a person may fish with two poles provided the angler is in attendance. How close do I have to be to my poles to satisfy this law?

A. The belief that "in attendance" means you are OK if you can beat the game warden to your fishing pole is not true. There is no defined distance, however, in general terms if you are close enough to get to your pole when you have a bite to set the hook, that is sufficient. With a law like this you must consider the intent which in this instance is to allow an angler to fish without continually holding his fishing pole. It is not intended to allow a person to cast out baits, take a hike around the lake and come back and see if a fish is on the line.

Q. Where can I find a listing of Wyoming's record fish?

A. For an up-to-date listing, visit the Fish Deparment Record Fish page by clicking here.

Q. Can I help another person catch their limit of fish?

A. Fishing regulations specify that it is illegal to take game fish for another person. The practice of taking an animal for another hunter is called party hunting, and that this practice is illegal. The same is true with fishing. The mere presence of a license does not give people other than license holders the right to fill that license.

Q. Is there a law restricting the number of fish I can keep in my freezer?

A. Unless otherwise noted for a specific water, the daily creel limit in Wyoming is also the possession limit. This means that according to Wyoming law no person may have in their possession more than the number and length of fish specified as the creel limit. The law stipulates that possession limit includes fish in transit or storage. In other words, if you catch your limit of fish, you should eat some before catching more. A few waters have possession limits that are twice the daily creel limit for some species (e.g. Bighorn Lake).

Q. How come some waters aren't listed in the fishing regulations?

A. The only waters listed in the regulations are those with restrictions differing from statewide regulations. Slot limits, species, bait or boating restrictions are a few examples of regulations which will get specific waters mentioned in the booklet. If the water you want to fish isn't listed, then the general statewide regulations listed on pages 2-10 of the regulations apply.

Q. Do you allow night fishing?

A. There is no general regulation prohibiting night fishing in Wyoming. In fact, night fishing is a favored time especially in waters which have catfish, and sometimes bass and large trout.

Q. How many poles can I use for ice fishing?

A. Wyoming regulation permits two poles whether fishing through the ice or in open water. But there are some reservoirs and lakes, 21 in all, where six lines are permitted when ice fishing. These special winter ice fishing regulations are listed on page 8 in the Wyoming Fishing Regulations.

Q. Can I get my own minnows to use as fish bait?

A. Yes you can, however, you must have a seining license. A License to Seine or Trap Live Fish may be obtained from Game and Fish offices. Waters where live bait fish may be collected, possessed and used for bait are listed in the Wyoming Fishing Regulations at the end of the sections pertaining to each drainage area.

Q. Can I use artificial light while fishing?

A. Artificial light is allowed while fishing in Wyoming (*for spearfishing see below). Devices allowed include: strike indicators, bobbers, bait and tackle chemically enhanced to produce light, lighted poles, fish finders, underwater cameras, battery powered lures, glowing bait and lures, and submersible lights.

Additional Information:

Chapter 46, Sec 2(c) of Commission Regulations states: “Artificial Light” means any man-made light or lighting device.

*Chapter 46, Sec 4(c) of Commission Regulations states: "Artificial light may be used while fishing with legal fishing methods except as prohibited in Section 10." Chapter 46, Sec 10(c) of Commission Regulations states “The use of artificial light to take game fish with a spear gun is prohibited.”

Nongame fish may be taken with a spear gun by use of artificial light. This includes game fish in waters where they are classified as nongame fish (examples: burbot in Flaming Gorge Reservoir, walleye in Buffalo Bill Reservoir).

Q. When is Free Fishing Day?

A. The 2003 Wyoming Legislature approved the creation of an annual Wyoming Free Fishing Day, to be designated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, as part of the National Fishing and Boating Week. Free fishing day has typically been designated as the first Saturday in the month of June. For this year’s date, consult the current fishing regulations booklet.

Q. What does a youth angler need to fish in Wyoming?

A. Youth Fishing Regulations.

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