Private Fish Stocking Process
Wyoming Game and Fish Commission regulations Chapter 51, Private Fish Hatcheries, and Chapter 49, Private Stocking of Cold-Blooded Wildlife, describe the regulations associated with stocking waters on private land with fish from approved private fish hatcheries. These Department approved private fish hatcheries have met specific annual fish health and aquatic invasive species testing requirements. The Department reviews each application to ensure that the species requested will not pose a significant threat to native species or otherwise conflict with management goals for the drainage within which the private water is located.
Stocking a Private Pond
The steps to follow for getting authorization to plant a private pond:
1. Contact the Department approved private fish hatchery. The list of currently authorized private hatcheries is available at the link below, as well as from Department regional offices and Cheyenne headquarters. A list can also be obtained by contacting the Fish Division at (307) 777-4559. Review the species available from each hatchery and determine price, availability and timing of stocking.
Department Approved Private Fish Hatcheries
2. Complete a Private Fish Stocking Application (see below - also available from regional offices and Cheyenne headquarters). If applying to stock a water that you have stocked previously, contact the Fish Division at Cheyenne headquarters for a renewal application; (307) -777-4559. Submit applications well in advance of the intended stocking date, allowing at least ten business days for Department review.
Private Fish Plant Application
- For information on Grass Carp stocking, please contact the Regional Fish Supervisor at your regional Game and Fish office or contact the Fish Division at Cheyenne headquarters at (307) 777-4559.
3. Email, mail or fax the application to the Cheyenne headquarters office. The contact information is provided on the bottom of the application. Submit your application well in advance of the intended stocking date, allowing at least ten business days for Department review.
4. Once an application is received, it is processed as follows:
- The application is reviewed for completeness. If information is missing, Fish Division attempts to contact the applicant for the necessary information. If unable to contact the applicant via phone, the application is returned with missing fields highlighted.
- Once complete, the application is forwarded to the appropriate regional fisheries supervisor for review.
- If approved, an authorization is issued to the applicant and the Department approved private fish hatchery.
Top 5 Reasons Fish Stocking Applications are Delayed
1. Application is not submitted at least 10 days before the desired planting date.
2. Fish species, size, number, or the desired date of planting is not provided.
3. Previous plant information incorrect.
4. Failure to provide a valid day time phone number, forcing correction requests to go through standard mail.
5. Failure to contact the Department approved private fish hatchery prior to application.
Landowner Fishing Lakes or Ponds Regulations and Applications