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Golden Trout

Golden Trout

Golden trout in Wyoming are non-native fish originally from California's Kern River system that have established populations in high alpine lakes across the state.

Physical Characteristics:
  • Golden trout are distinguished by their golden-yellow coloring, red lateral stripe, and dark oval parr marks along their sides.
  • In their native California range, golden trout typically measure 6-12 inches, but Wyoming's populations can grow larger - the Wyoming state record measured 28 inches and weighed 11.25 pounds from Cook's Lake in 1948.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Most golden trout waters are located above 10,000 feet elevation in remote wilderness areas.

Key Locations

  • Wyoming Game and Fish manages 133 high alpine lakes for golden trout, primarily in the Wind River Mountains (Lander and Pinedale regions), with additional populations in the Absaroka, Snowy, and Bighorn mountains.
  • Approximately 100 lakes in the Wind River Range alone.
  • Wind River Range, Beartooth Wilderness, and Cloud Peak Wilderness areas like Elephanthead, Myrtle, Firehole #2, and Frozen #1 lakes.
  • The Wyoming state record came from Cook's Lake in 1948.

Specific Spots

  • Fish early morning and evening when golden trout cruise shallow areas looking for food near drop-offs, cliff faces, and scree slopes.

Golden Trout FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What flies work for Golden Trout in Wyoming?

Size 8 orange scuds with flashbacks, olive scuds, black seal buggers, size 16 tan scuds, and mega scuds. Golden trout in streams are less selective and will take standard attractor patterns like Elk Hair Caddis, Royal Wulff, Stimulators, and Copper Johns.

When is the best time to fish for Golden Trout in Wyoming?

June can also be productive right after ice-off, and the season typically runs from when lakes become accessible (often after July 4th due to high elevation ice) through early fall before snow returns. The best time to fish for golden trout in Wyoming is late August through September.

How do you catch Golden Trout in Wyoming?

The most productive technique is sight fishing with scud patterns. Cast several feet ahead of cruising fish and use slow strips or dead drift orange/pink scuds. Takes can be very subtle - watch for fish stopping near your fly and set the hook slowly but firmly.

What do Golden Trout eat?

They're opportunistic carnivores feeding primarily on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates including caddisflies, midges, small crustaceans, grasshoppers, and terrestrial insects. In Wyoming's alpine lakes, their diet heavily consists of scuds and other crustaceans, giving their flesh a distinctive orange-red color.

Where do Golden Trout live in Wyoming?

Most golden trout waters are located above 10,000 feet elevation in remote wilderness areas.

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