Get Hooked on the Best Fishing in the Bighorn Mountains
Anglers of all ages and skill levels delight in the pristine waters of the Bighorn National Forest. These high mountain streams and lakes are home to a wide variety of trout, including brook, brown, cutthroat, rainbow, lake, tiger, and even the elusive golden trout, as well as grayling and splake. While many lakes or streams can be easy to reach, others require a bit of a hike. Lower elevation waters offer bass, tiger muskie, walleye and perch in addition to trout. You can plan your perfect fishing trip by contacting professionals to help you decide where to go based on your interests and abilities.
Get Your Wyoming Fishing License
Wyoming State Fishing Licenses are required to fish. You can purchase licenses at The Sports Lure in downtown Buffalo. Make sure to ask for advice regarding the best places to fish and what they’re biting on — the staff at The Sports Lure are happy to provide insider tips and information.
Places to Fish Near Buffalo & Kaycee, Wyoming
Clear Creek
Clear Creek runs right through Buffalo and offers great year-round fishing from the beginner to the experienced angler. The Clear Creek Trail follows the creek, providing easy access, and you can find a trail system map at the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center or by clicking here.
Lake Desmet
Lake Desmet is just 15 minutes north of Buffalo off I-90. Lake DeSmet provides excellent boating and fishing and is known for its stocked populations of rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon. Two boat ramps and docks are available for your convenience. The area offers plenty of other outdoor activities, including camping and hiking. Electrical hook-up camping comes complete with pads and vault toilets. Fishing tips include using small lures and flies and fishing near the inlet and outlet streams.
Tie Hack Dam and Reservoir
You’ll find this reservoir 12 miles west of Buffalo on Highway 16. Constructed in 1997, this popular destination offers fishing, camping, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding and canoeing.
Crazy Woman Canyon
Accessible from either US Highway 16 in the Bighorns heading down the Crazy Woman Canyon Road or via Old Highway 87 south of Buffalo, at the base of the mountain; driving up the canyon offers beautiful views, hiking trails and excellent fishing on Crazy Woman Creek.
Mosier Gulch
Five miles west of Buffalo on Highway 16, this popular hiking and fishing area connects to the Clear Creek Trail System and features parking, picnic tables, pedestal fire grates and a vault toilet.
Buffalo Wildlife Habitat Pond
Located east of Hart Street off Stockyard Road, discover great bass fishing for all ages at this picturesque pond.
Veterans’ Home of Wyoming
Two miles west of Buffalo on Highway 16 is a public access pond that is ideal for kids and has additional access to the Clear Creek Trail System.
Muddy Guard Reservoirs 1&2
16 miles south of Buffalo on Old Highway 87 to Crazy Woman Canyon Road and Muddy Creek Road. Discover these easily accessible reservoirs with exceptional scenery and great fishing.
Healy Reservoir
East of Buffalo on Highway 16 is the easily accessible reservoir with plenty of parking and a boat ramp. The reservoir is filled with yellow perch, largemouth bass and even tiger muskie. Moreover, it’s open to ice fishing throughout the winter season.
From Wyoming Game & Fish
Healy Reservoir, six miles northeast of Buffalo on Highway 16, has turned into a destination fishery. Tiger muskie were introduced in 2012 and they are growing very large with some over 40 inches and 20 pounds, while most largemouth bass are 12-plus inches with some nearing 7 pounds. If the bass and muskie aren’t cooperating, Healy Reservoir is loaded with yellow perch that will bite almost anything. Anglers fishing Healy Reservoir are most successful from small boats rather than from shore. Anglers should concentrate their efforts near the vegetation and brush since that’s where muskie and bass like to hunt.
Middle Fork Powder River Recreation Area
Located about 21 miles southwest of Kaycee, the Middle Fork is a spectacularly scenic area with camping and excellent fishing for those willing to venture into the steep-walled canyon.
Outlaw Canyon
Just 20 minutes from Kaycee is Outlaw Canyon, offering fishing, hiking, camping, hunting and horseback riding with beautiful scenery and Native American petroglyphs.
Guided Fishing
With some of the best mountain fishing in the lower 48, let local guides take you to the best private fishing locations.
FS Road 20, 13 miles west on Highway 16 From the trailhead, you’ll find: Sherd Lake – 1.8 miles Rainy Lake – 6 miles Willow Lake – 8 miles
Hunter Trailhead
FS Road 19, 12 miles west of Buffalo on Highway 16 A good trailhead to access Seven Brothers Lakes – 8 miles Florence Pass/Bomber Mountain offers a long, gradual hike leading to a historic monument and the wreckage of a military bomber crash site from 1943. Plus, Cloud Peak is the third highest peak in Wyoming at 13,167 feet.
Schoolhouse Park Trailhead
12.5 miles west of Buffalo on Highway 16 Lake Angeline — Make your way to this high alpine lake offering beautiful views. The four-wheel drive road (Forest Service Road 3191) leading to the wilderness boundary is best suited for high-clearance vehicles or ATVs.
