Lake DeSmet, just outside of Buffalo, Wyoming, sustains the most important reservoir trout fishery in northeast Wyoming. So in June 2007, when a severe storm produced destructive waves that damaged the one of the dams, it was important for both the trout and the anglers that this reservoir was restored. The eventual project not only secured a 99 year lease for water, but also garnered a Sport Fish Restoration (SFR) Award for Development and Management from the American Fisheries Society.

“These awards are very competitive.  We look for projects that have measurable benefits for the anglers, just like the DeSmet project. By securing the water rights for the next 99 years, this project benefits the angler and all the other aquatic resource and habitats,” said Ken Kurzawski. President of the Fisheries Administration Section for the American Fisheries Society.

 The Wyoming Game and Fish Department maintains several long-term goals at Lake DeSmet that focus on protecting the reservoir and improving the experience for anglers, including: Protecting water based recreation including fishing, boating, etc.; protect significant infrastructure investments including boat ramps, comfort stations and parking areas; formalizing and securing public access to the reservoir. To accomplish these goals, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department agreed on a final lease that secured 66,024 acre-feet of stored water consisting of five junior water rights for 99 years, with a 50 year buyback option.

 “This amount of water left in the reservoir will ensure that, except for extreme dry periods, there will be enough water to launch boats and maintain the fishery.  Lease terms also ensure that the public will be able to access the reservoir to the high water mark for the term of the lease.  An appraisal estimated the value of the 99 year lease at $15,700,000 so the public received a very good deal for their investment of $2.971 million,” said Sheridan Regional Fisheries Supervisor, Paul Mavrakis. “It was a win-win for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Johnson County.”

 Water is a precious resource in the arid West.  Lake DeSmet, a 3,400 surface acre reservoir constructed for agricultural and industrial storage, holds about 235,000 acre-feet at capacity and has an average depth of 69 feet with a maximum of 120 feet.  The reservoir supports an excellent coldwater fishery where rainbow trout dominate the sport fish population with cutthroat trout, brown trout, lake trout, yellow perch, rock bass and walleye.  Approximately 35,000 anglers annually fish Lake DeSmet and catch about 60,000 trout.