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Wyoming · Fishing
Jeffrey City sits in the middle of Wyoming's high desert, and the fishing around it is almost entirely stillwater — reservoirs and lakes scattered across the Sweetwater County landscape rather than blue-ribbon rivers.
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Jeffrey City sits in the middle of Wyoming's high desert, and the fishing around it is almost entirely stillwater — reservoirs and lakes scattered across the Sweetwater County landscape rather than blue-ribbon rivers. Green Mountain, Lost Creek Reservoir, Hadsell Reservoir, and the water near Cottonwood Campground make up the local options, and they're the kind of places where you're more likely to have a bank to yourself than fight for a spot. This isn't a destination you'd plan a dedicated fly-fishing trip around, but if you're passing through on Highway 287, camping in the area, or just want a quiet afternoon with a rod out, these waters deliver. Expect typical Wyoming high-desert conditions: wind picks up most afternoons, summer temperatures swing hard between morning and midday, and access roads to some of these spots can get rough after rain. A Wyoming fishing license is required for anyone 14 and older. The fishery here is modest and local — worth knowing about if you're in the area, not worth driving four hours for on its own.
The listings here are all lake and reservoir fisheries, which in this part of Wyoming typically hold species like rainbow trout, brown trout, and occasionally yellow perch or bass depending on stocking history. Check with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department before your trip for current species and stocking status at specific waters like Lost Creek Reservoir or Hadsell Reservoir, since that information changes year to year.
Late spring through early fall is the most productive window, with June and September generally offering the best combination of fish activity and comfortable conditions. Midsummer fishing is better early in the morning before the wind builds and temperatures climb — by early afternoon on a July day, conditions at an exposed high-desert reservoir can be genuinely unpleasant.
Green Mountain
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Miracle Mile
~1h 19m drive
Moderate
Cottonwood Campground
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Seminoe Reservoir
~1h 25m drive
Moderate
Hadsell Reservoir
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Lost Creek Reservoir
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Lost Soldier Lake
~34 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Bucklin Reservoirs
~39 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Mud Lake
~41 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Circle Bar Lake
~42 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Soda Lake
~43 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Government Reservoir
~49 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Bank fishing is viable at all four of these spots. A small float tube or kayak will help you cover more water at larger reservoirs like Lost Creek, but it's not necessary. If you do bring a motorized boat, confirm current regulations with Wyoming Game and Fish, as some smaller reservoirs have horsepower restrictions.
A medium spinning setup with 6-8 lb monofilament covers most situations here. Powerbait, small spinners, and worms are reliable at stocked reservoir fisheries. Bring more water than you think you need, sunscreen, and a wind layer — the Sweetwater Valley is exposed and the weather moves fast.
Cottonwood Campground puts you close to the water and makes for a convenient overnight if you want to hit the early morning bite without a long drive. It's a no-frills spot, so come prepared with your own supplies — Jeffrey City itself has very limited services.
