There is nothing like your first time fishing. It can be a transformative experience that leads to a lifelong love of the water. I remember my first time in vivid detail. I was fishing with my grandpa and two of my cousins at my great-uncle Dale’s pond. I was using a push-button Ugly Stik rod, a red and white bobber and one-quarter of a fat nightcrawler.
I was taught early on that if you cut the worms into quarters, you potentially get four fish for the price of one. I remember being extremely jealous because one of my cousins had a rod that pumped like an air rifle and used compressed air to shoot a capsule with the bait and bobber into the water. This was handy because none of us were very good at casting. There I was, sitting on the bank staring at that bobber as if it held the secret to life itself.
After what seemed like hours, the bobber wiggled once, then again, then completely disappeared. I furiously lifted up the rod only to realize I failed to reel it after casting. Instead of the rod-shaking fight of a largemouth bass, I felt no resistance and promptly fell on my butt. I struggled to regain my footing and find the reel as the line continued zinging out. I eventually got myself sorted, and the fight was on. I used all the strength my little 5-year-old arms could muster as my grandpa watched. After minutes of effort, I dragged my trophy onto shore, a beautiful 8-inch largemouth bass.
I spent most of my childhood chasing that feeling. I was fortunate to spend my summers bouncing between both sets of grandparents, who had little ponds on or near their properties. For me, going fishing was as simple as digging up some worms, finding a tackle box with some rusty hooks and walking over the hill to the closest pond. I got to experience all of the ups and downs that come with learning how to fish without my parents having to drag me somewhere in the car.
I still fished a lot with my parents. I learned most of what I know about reading water from my dad, and all of what I know about patience from my mom. Now that I’m an adult, I realize the time they spent teaching me was a sacrifice. Life is busy, and sometimes, there just isn’t room for fishing. Having the ability to take myself fishing was a huge blessing, and I can’t imagine my fishing journey without that self-guided time.
Luckily for people in Wyoming, you don’t need to have a pond on your grandparent's property to get started in the angling world. All across the state there are places for anglers of all ages to congregate and start or continue their fishing journeys. These community fisheries are strategically located to make fishing accessible for people in the community, and fish are stocked regularly by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Below are some ponds to try around the state.
Casper Region
Yesness Ponds is an excellent place for Casper residents to spend some time with a line in the water. Located next to Wyoming Boulevard, Yesness Pond is easily accessible and has an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible pier. It is stocked yearly with catchable-size rainbow and cutthroat trout. It is also less frequently stocked with bluegill-green sunfish hybrids and channel catfish. All of these species are easily targeted with a worm and a bobber, so no fancy fishing gear is needed. There are picnic tables and trash receptacles available for families who would like to make a day of it. Trails can be found around the pond making it easy to access areas fish like to hide.
Cody Region
New Cody Reservoir is one of three lakes that make up Beck Lake Park in Cody. These lakes are easily accessed off the Greybull Highway by turning onto 14th Street and continuing south. New Cody Reservoir has an ADA-accessible pier that ensures everyone has access to this wonderful fishing resource. A paved trail encircles New Cody Reservoir and its neighbor, Markham Reservoir, with benches available for those who need to take a break from catching all those fish. Both reservoirs hold good numbers of trout, but also lots of yellow perch. These perch are great targets for worm-and-bobber anglers. The third lake in the system, Beck Lake, includes some different species, including channel catfish, black crappie and, a personal favorite of mine, largemouth bass. Channel catfish have been documented up to 8 pounds.
Green River Region
Rock Springs Pond is an excellent place for residents to drop a line without going too far out of the way. The pond is located off Clubhouse Drive north of the fairgrounds. There are few things more frustrating than getting your line stuck in a tree. Luckily, a lack of dense vegetation around the pond makes this a great place for beginning anglers to work on their casting. An ADA-accessible pier allows anyone the opportunity to fish. Rainbow trout are stocked three times a year. Channel catfish and grayling are also present in lower densities. While a worm and bobber will work, the openness of this pond makes this a good opportunity to try more advanced lures.
Jackson Region
R Park Pond is an excellent place for children under 16 to learn how to cast a line. Located west of Jackson near Wilson, R Park Pond is owned by the Jackson Hole Land Trust, but the public is allowed to utilize this unique property. In fact, this property is accessible via the Jackson Hole Community pathways, making this an accessible location for multiple communities. The pond is stocked several times a year exclusively with Snake River cutthroat trout, a subspecies of cutthroat native to the nearby Snake River. Speaking of the Snake River, while the pond is limited to those 16 years old or younger, there is nearby public access to fish the Snake River that is open to all ages.
Lander Region
Pete’s Pond is one of the newer community fisheries in Wyoming. It is located east of Dubois and can be accessed off Absaroka Drive. This project began in 2015 as a collaboration between Game and Fish and the Dubois Anglers and Wildlife Group. Fish were stocked in the pond in 2018, but the work hasn’t stopped. An ADA-accessible pier was installed as well as other improvements to the area. The pond is stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout.
Laramie Region
Sloans Lake is located within Lions Park in Cheyenne, just off Interstate 25 in the heart of town. This is one of the larger community ponds at 30 acres and even includes a place to launch boats. Don’t worry if you don’t have a boat because there are plenty of accessible points to cast a line including a few fishing piers. A paved walking path surrounds the lake to reach different spots along the lake. This pond has many warm-water species of fish that would be excellent first fish for any aspiring angler, including black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, largemouth bass and channel catfish. These fish can all be caught with a worm and bobber, but Sloans Lake is also an excellent place to try more advanced gear in some of the more open areas.
Pinedale Region
The CCC Ponds near Fremont Lake are stocked with rainbow and brown trout. Kids can rely on the tried and true worm method, but for those older anglers seeking something different, these ponds can be an excellent place to try fly-fishing. The area is abundant with grasshoppers and mayflies in the summer, so the trout in the ponds are eager to go after flies on top of the water. The area is teeming with other opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Sheridan Region
Sam Mavrakis Pond is located in the center of the Sheridan community off 8th Street. This location allows many residents to easily access it by walking or biking. The pond is stocked with rainbow trout twice a year and supports populations of largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. A bathroom and picnic area are on-site to ensure your fishing experience is as comfortable as possible. Like with many of the other ponds mentioned, fancy gear is not required. A simple bobber and worm will work as well as anything else.
— Parker Everhart is the Conservation Education Coordinator for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department