Master Angler

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is pleased to provide a program that recognizes the catch of trophy-sized fish from our phenomenal waters. There are three levels of achievement: Master Angler, Trophy Angler and Ultimate Angler.

Submit Your Qualifying Catch

Master Angler

Catch one fish of a qualifying length.

Trophy Angler

Catch any five species of a qualifying length.

Ultimate Angler

Catch any 10 species of a qualifying length.

Who?

Open to all anglers -- resident and nonresident.

How?

Fish must be caught with legal methods and during open seasons in Wyoming.

When?

Entries can be made anytime for fish caught after June 1, 2019.

Limitations

Anglers are limited to one Master Angler entry per species, per calendar year. Submissions for Trophy Angler and Ultimate Angler have no time limitations.

Entries

Each entry must be accompanied by one side-view photograph, preferably with either the angler or another object (e.g., ruler) that can be used to validate length.

Qualifications

Qualifying fish must meet or exceed the minimum length established for that species. Length is defined as the total length of the fish (nearest 1/2 inch), from the snout to the tip of the pinched tail.

Largemouth Bass on a bright-colored ruler

How to measure a fish

Take the total length of a fish in inches, as measured in a straight line along a flat surface, from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail. For the Master Angler program, qualifying fish must meet or exceed the minimum length established for that species.

Fish Species

For the Master Angler Program, qualifying fish must meet or exceed the minimum length established for that species.

Select a species from the drop down menu to see more information on each fish.

Brook Trout

Minimum qualifying length for Master Angler: 16"

Typical length for Brook Trout: 12"

Where to find Brook Trout: Brook Trout are found all throughout Wyoming. From the high alpine streams to creeks and streams on the plains.

Species list

Species Name	Minimum Qualifying Length (Inches)	Species Image
Lake Trout	36	Show Species Illustration
Largemouth Bass	16	Show Species Illustration
Mountain Whitefish	16	Show Species Illustration
Northern Pike	34	Show Species Illustration
Rainbow Trout	20	Show Species Illustration
Sauger	23	Show Species Illustration
Shovelnose Sturgeon	32	Show Species Illustration
Smallmouth Bass	16	Show Species Illustration
Splake	20	Show Species Illustration
Sunfish	8	Show Species Illustration

Master Angler award recipients

First Name Sort descending	Last Name	Species	Measure (Inches)	Location	Date of catch
Aarika	Smith	Lake Trout	38	Flaming Gorge Reservoir	01/18/2020
Aaron	Thompson	Cutthroat Trout	18	Sherd Lake	06/16/2024
Aaron	Nollen	Cutthroat Trout	18.5	Diamond Lake	01/21/2024
Aaron	Nollen	Rainbow Trout	22	Wheatland Reservoir 3	12/31/2023
Aaron	Valenciano	Rainbow Trout	24	Diamond Lake	08/02/2023