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Wyoming · Fishing
McFadden, Wyoming sits in Carbon County at the edge of the Medicine Bow country, and the fishing around it leans heavily toward high-elevation lake fishing with a couple of river access points mixed in.
6 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 6 spots
McFadden, Wyoming sits in Carbon County at the edge of the Medicine Bow country, and the fishing around it leans heavily toward high-elevation lake fishing with a couple of river access points mixed in. The six spots in this area break down into four lakes — Jeff Lake, Deep Lake, Lost Lake, and East Banner Lake — plus two trailhead-based river fishing access points at Quealy Lake Trailhead and Sheep Lake Trailhead. That mix means you can pick your style: hike into a quiet alpine lake and work the shoreline, or follow a trail down to moving water and fish the current. None of these are drive-up spots you can fish from a lawn chair, so expect some walking. The lake fishing here suits anglers who are comfortable reading still water and covering ground on foot. The river access points at Quealy and Sheep Lake Trailheads add variety if you want to swap between water types on the same trip. Wyoming Game and Fish manages these waters, so a valid Wyoming fishing license is required before you wet a line.
Yes. A valid Wyoming fishing license is required for all of these waters. Wyoming Game and Fish licenses can be purchased online through the WGFD website or at local sporting goods retailers. Make sure you check current regulations for Carbon County, as bag limits and season dates can vary by water body.
Both are listed as river fishing access points, meaning you reach moving water by hiking in from the trailhead rather than fishing a lake. Plan to cover some ground on foot before you reach fishable water. Bring waders or at minimum waterproof boots, since bank access along mountain streams in this area is often limited.
Snow Survey Cabin
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Ryan Park
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Encampment River
~51 min drive
Hard
North Platte River - Northgate Canyon
~1h 5m drive
Expert
Hog Park Campground
~1h 10m drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Bottle Creek Group Picnic Site
~1h 3m drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Jack Creek Crew Quarters
~1h 17m drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Big Creek Lakes Campground
~1h 5m drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Jeff Lake
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Sheep Lake Trailhead
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Deep Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Quealy Lake Trailhead
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
High-elevation Wyoming lakes like these are typically accessible from late June through September, depending on snowpack and how quickly the access roads and trails clear. Ice-out fishing in early summer can be productive, and late August through September tends to offer stable weather and good conditions before the first hard frosts. Calling Wyoming Game and Fish or checking local reports before you drive out is worth the few minutes it takes.
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most active windows for alpine lake fishing. Midday sun pushes fish deeper, especially in clear high-elevation water. If you are hiking in, plan your start time so you arrive at the lake close to first light or with enough afternoon time to fish through the evening.
The fishing itself is accessible to beginners, but the access is not. All six spots involve hiking, and the trailhead-based river access at Quealy and Sheep Lake Trailheads means you need to be comfortable navigating trail systems with gear. If you are new to fishing, the lake spots like Jeff Lake or East Banner Lake are a more forgiving starting point than trying to wade and fish moving water at the same time.
