Green River Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of June 5, 2025 (end of day), Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6028.09 feet, which amounts to 87 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflow volume for the month of May is approximately 157,000 acre-feet (af), which is 63 percent of the average unregulated inflow volume.

Current average daily release is approximately 1,100 cfs, pending hydrology.

Small Mouth Bass Flow Spike -- The Small Mouth Bass Flow Spike release will be beginning on June 16th and end June 20th. The flow spike will consist of one day ramp up to full power plant capacity (~4,600 cfs) for 72 hours with a ramp down rate of 2,000 cfs/day.

Water will be colder than usual and will run high and swift. These conditions can quickly overcome even the strongest swimmer.

This release plan is subject to change depending on evolving river and weather forecasts. Those recreating on, working around, or traveling to the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam should monitor river conditions.

Forecasted (tentative and subject to change) hourly release schedules can be found by visiting the Colorado River Basin Forecast Center (CBRFC) at this website:  CBRFC Reservoir Outflow Hydrograph

Please note that the CBRFC data is in Zulu time, which is 6 hours later than MDT. For example, 6 pm Zulu (Z) is 12 pm MDT.

The June unregulated inflow forecast into Flaming Gorge for the next three months projects much below average conditions. June, July, and August forecasted unregulated inflow volumes are 270,000 af (69 percent of average), 89,000 af (44 percent of average), and 50,000 af (69 percent of average), respectively.

The June water supply forecast of the April through July unregulated inflow volume into Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 625,000 acre-feet (65 percent of average). Current snowpack is 73 percent of median for the Upper Green Basin.

To view the most current reservoir elevation, content, inflow and release, click on: Flaming Gorge Reservoir Data.”

What this means:

Currently, Flaming Gorge Reservoir is operating a daily average release of 1,100 CFS. To achieve this flow the Bureau is releasing 890 CFS of water from 12:30 AM to 4:30 PM, between 4:30 PM and 12:30 AM the flows are increased to 2,440 CFS. Between June 16 and June 20 flows will be increased to 4,600 CFS. After that it looks like flows will go back to the 1,100 CFS daily average. Water temperatures are currently hovering around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are still a few patches of blue wings on the water, but they are mainly finished for the Spring. We are hearing cicadas in the trees, but not many have made it to the water just quite yet. With the warming daily temperatures they will become more and more active. Fish are still keying in on ants more than cicadas on the surface. Early in the morning there is an abundance of small midges and some mayflies hatching. I have seen pale morning duns, caddis, and some yellow sallies sporadically hatching as well.

Red Creek is running low and clear. With the extended high pressure setting in, the lower river should be clear and fishable for the foreseeable future.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of June 5, 2025, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6489.87 feet, which amounts to 65 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of May totaled approximately 133,000 acre-feet (af) or 76 percent of average.

Spring releases have started at Fontenelle. Releases from the dam will increase throughout spring to meet elevation targets. Per the June final forecast, maximum total release rates are forecasted to occur in mid- to late June at approximately 3,500 cfs, subject to hydrology.

The June final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects much below average conditions. June, July, and August Most Probable inflow volumes amount to 240,000 af (78 percent of average), 78,000 af (46 percent of average), and 45,000 af (69 percent of average), respectively.

Please refer to the following link for Green River flow projections, through Green River, WY, provided by the Colorado River Basin Forecast Center: CBRFC Green River, WY Projection.”

What this means:

Water releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently around 1900 CFS.

Fishing has been quite good on the Wyoming Green lately. Streamers and nymphs are currently the most productive ways of catching fish, but some summer hatches of midges, pale morning duns, and caddis are beginning to show up.

Green River Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of February 6, 2025 (end of day), Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6025.59 feet, which amounts to 85 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflow volume for the month of January is approximately 16,180 acre-feet (af), which is 40 percent of the average January unregulated inflow volume.

Winter Baseflow – Due to dry hydrologic conditions, daily average releases will be decreased to approximately 900 cfs. Additional changes to releases may be needed, pending hydrology.

Forecasted (tentative and subject to change) hourly release schedules can be found by visiting the Colorado River Basin Forecast Center (CBRFC) at this website:  CBRFC Reservoir Outflow Hydrograph

Please note that the CBRFC data is in Zulu time, which is 6 hours later than MDT. For example, 6 pm Zulu (Z) is 12 pm MDT.

The February unregulated inflows into Flaming Gorge for the next three months projects near average. February, March, and April forecasted unregulated inflow volumes 55,000 af (122 percent of average), 85,000 af (80 percent of average), and 100,000 af (80 percent of average), respectively.”

What this means:

Currently, Flaming Gorge Reservoir is operating on their double peak Winter release flow pattern. The flows are fluctuating between 900 CFS at 5 PM and 1,800 CFS at 3 AM. Water temperature is around 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Plan your day according to high water and ride the wave. Usually the streamer fishing can be great during this flow pattern.

Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is sitting at 105 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is sitting at 104 percent of normal.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of February 06, 2025, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6476.68 feet, which amounts to 42 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of January totaled approximately 23,840 acre-feet (af) or 78 percent of average.

Current release rate is set at 825 cfs. This release shall remain constant throughout the winter base flow period, pending significant hydrological changes or emergencies. The winter base flow period is typically from mid-November and ending approximately mid-March, pending icing conditions in the Green River downstream of the dam this coming spring.

The February final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects below average conditions. February, March, and April Most Probable inflow volumes amount to 28,000 af (100 percent of average), 45,000 af (79 percent of average), and 70,000 af (83 percent of average), respectively.”

What this means:

Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 814 CFS.

The fish have moved into their winter holding water. Look for fish in deeper runs. Slow stripping and swinging streamers can be quite productive some days.

Current snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is sitting at 105 percent of normal. Current snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is sitting at 104 percent of normal.