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Wyoming · Fishing
Big Piney sits in the upper Green River Basin in western Wyoming, and the fishing around town is quieter and more accessible than what you'll find in the more trafficked corners of the state.
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Big Piney sits in the upper Green River Basin in western Wyoming, and the fishing around town is quieter and more accessible than what you'll find in the more trafficked corners of the state. The options here lean toward reservoir and lake fishing, with Joe Budd Reservoir and Sixty-Seven Reservoir offering still-water angling close to town, while New Fork Campground puts you on moving water along the New Fork River. The Big Piney Ranger District oversees additional lake fishing opportunities in the surrounding Bridger-Teton National Forest, which means a valid Wyoming fishing license is required and forest-specific rules may apply depending on where you're headed. Expect cold mornings even in midsummer at this elevation, and plan accordingly with layers. This isn't a destination that gets crowded the way Jackson Hole waters do, which is part of the appeal — you can actually find a spot and fish it without working around other anglers. A basic spinning or fly setup handles most situations here, and the pace is relaxed enough that it suits beginners and experienced anglers equally well.
The area offers both lake and river fishing. Joe Budd Reservoir and Sixty-Seven Reservoir are the main still-water options near town, while New Fork Campground provides access to river fishing on the New Fork River. The Big Piney Ranger District also manages lake fishing access in the surrounding national forest.
You need a valid Wyoming fishing license for all waters in the area. If you're fishing within the Bridger-Teton National Forest through the Big Piney Ranger District, check with the district office for any site-specific rules, as national forest waters can have regulations that differ from standard state rules.
New Fork Campground
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Sandy Beach Picnic Area
~43 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Tail Race Campground
~1h 8m drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
New Fork River
~52 min drive
Moderate
Fontenelle Reservoir
~1h 7m drive
Easy
Scaler Guard Station
~47 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Big Piney Ranger District
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Fremont Lake
~49 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Sixty-Seven Reservoir
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Cazier Cabin
~50 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Joe Budd Reservoir
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
La Barge Guard Station
~53 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Summer through early fall is the most practical window, roughly June through September, once runoff settles and access roads are clear. Spring runoff can make river fishing at New Fork Campground turbid and difficult. Ice fishing on the reservoirs is possible in winter for those prepared for the cold and willing to check ice conditions carefully.
Early morning and late evening are consistently the most productive windows on still water like Joe Budd and Sixty-Seven Reservoir, when surface temperatures are cooler and fish are more actively feeding near the shallows. Midday fishing in summer tends to slow down, especially on smaller reservoirs that warm quickly.
Yes. The reservoirs are forgiving for beginners since still water is easier to read and fish than moving water, and there's no technical wading involved. New Fork Campground's river access is a reasonable next step for those wanting to try river fishing, though some basic knowledge of reading current and presenting bait or lures in moving water will help.
