Fishing in Casper, Wyoming

You have two main options: river fishing on the North Platte at spots like Bessemer Bend, Whitetail Day Use Area, and The Redds Day Use Area, or lake and reservoir fishing at waters like Soda Lake, Adams Reservoir, Ninemile Lake, and a dozen others in the area. The river sections near Casper are known for trout, while the reservoirs generally support warmwater species. Bolton Creek also offers a smaller stream option if you prefer wade fishing away from the main river.

Late spring through early fall is the most productive window for most of these waters. Ice-off on the reservoirs typically happens in March or April depending on the winter, and fishing picks up quickly after that. Summer mornings and evenings are the most reliable times of day on both the river and the lakes, since midday heat in Wyoming can push fish deeper and slow surface activity considerably.

Yes, a valid Wyoming fishing license is required at all of these locations. You can purchase one online through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website or at local sporting goods stores in Casper. Non-resident licenses are available in one-day, five-day, and annual formats, so it's worth matching the license to how long you plan to fish.

Several of them are well-suited for beginners. The day-use areas like Whitetail and The Redds have designated access points that don't require hiking or technical wading. Reservoir spots like Adams, McDonald, and Wagner and Bayer Reservoir tend to be calmer water with easier bank fishing. If you're camping with kids, Pete's Draw, Golden Currant, and Chalk Bluffs campgrounds put you right next to fishable water with minimal setup.

For the North Platte river sections, a medium-light spinning rod or a 4-6 weight fly rod covers most situations. On the reservoirs, a medium-action spinning setup with a selection of jigs, spinners, and soft plastics handles the warmwater species you're likely to encounter. Wyoming wind is a real factor, especially on open reservoir banks, so heavier lures that cast well in a breeze are worth having. Polarized sunglasses are genuinely useful for reading water at spots like Bessemer Bend.