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Tiger Trout

Tiger Trout

Tiger Trout in Wyoming are sterile hybrids created by crossing a female brown trout with a male brook trout. They cannot reproduce naturally and are entirely hatchery-created fish used strategically by Wyoming Game and Fish as biological control agents.

Physical Characteristics:
  • These aggressive predators are characterized by distinctive vermiculation patterns - pronounced, dark markings that resemble tiger stripes or worm-like mazes across their grayish-brown bodies with bright orange and yellow bellies.
  • Tiger Trout have large gape sizes that enable them to eat bigger fish than brown or brook trout of the same size.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They're now found in 32 waters statewide as of 2024.

Key Locations

  • High Savery Reservoir near Baggs, Viva Naughton Reservoir near Kemmerer (and downstream in the Hams Fork River), Cow Lake in the Wind River Mountains (accessing via less than ¼-mile hike east of Loop Road), Upper Silas Lake (4-mile hike from Christina Lake trailhead), Muddy Guard Reservoirs, Healy Reservoir, Lower Sunshine Reservoir, and various high-elevation lakes in the Wind River Mountains and Bighorn Mountains.
  • The Kemmerer City Reservoir below Viva Naughton may also hold Tiger Trout that have drifted downstream.

Tiger Trout FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What flies work for Tiger Trout in Wyoming?

For flies, use streamers like Woolly Buggers (brown patterns work well), sculpins, and other large fishy patterns with action once the fish reach size. When Tiger Trout are smaller, standard nymphs and dry flies work effectively. The current Wyoming state record was caught using a brown Woolly Bugger.

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

Fish can be caught year-round, but avoid areas during fall spawning periods for brown trout (their female parent species). Winter through early spring can be particularly productive as fish concentrate in deeper areas and feed heavily.

How do you catch Tiger Trout in Wyoming?

Target Tiger Trout with larger, more animated flies and lures than you'd typically use for other trout species, as they exhibit hybrid vigor with exceptional growth rates and aggressive feeding behavior.

What do Tiger Trout eat?

As they mature, Tiger Trout transition from eating insects to becoming piscivorous, feeding heavily on baitfish. They eat bigger fish than brown or brook trout of the same size, making them effective at controlling populations of undesirable species like Utah chub, white suckers, and lake chub.

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