The Wyoming Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, will soon conduct fish stocking in frontcountry and backcountry lakes outside Dubois and Lander. This initiative will include lakes in the Shoshone National Forest.

Over the summer, 16 lakes will be stocked with more than 40,000 fingerling-sized fish 1½-3 inches long. The fish won’t grow to a catchable size for at least two years. The species to be stocked include kokanee salmon, splake (brook trout-lake trout hybrid), golden trout, rainbow trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout.

A small percentage of high-elevation lakes throughout the state are stocked on a rotational basis every 2-4 years. However, most remote waters support naturally reproducing fish populations and don’t require stocking.

Many waters this year are accessible by vehicle and will be stocked by Game and Fish hatchery staff with stocking trucks. Three backcountry lakes near Togwotee will be stocked by helicopter near the end of July. 

“This is a very efficient way for us to stock multiple, remote lakes at one time and in one flight. In addition, fish released through this method typically have higher survival rates than older, slower methods of stocking,” said Lander Region Fisheries Supervisor Joe Deromedi.

“Fish that will be stocked were raised with exceptional care at several fish hatcheries and rearing stations across the state, including Dubois, Daniel, Clark's Fork, Ten Sleep, Tillett and Wigwam. Our goal is to provide high-quality fish that will thrive and offer excellent fishing opportunities for everyone.”

For further information, please contact: Joe Deromedi at 307-335-2608.