Green River Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of December 4, 2023 (end of day), Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6028.83 feet, which amounts to 88 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflow volume for the month of November is approximately 64,000 acre-feet (af), which is 130 percent of the average November unregulated inflow volume.

Flaming Gorge Dam operations are in an average hydrologic classification for the month of December and are projected to remain in the average hydrologic classification through the remainder of the base flow period. The winter average daily release remains within the average hydrologic classification range of 1,500 cfs to 2,400 cfs in Reach 2, measured at the Jensen USGS Gage. Current average daily release is approximately 2,120 cfs. This data is considered the most likely scenario given the current forecast, is general, and is subject to changing conditions.

The December unregulated inflows into Flaming Gorge for the next three months projects near average. December, January, and February forecasted unregulated inflow volumes 42,000 af (127 percent of average), 48,000 af (119 percent of average), and 50,000 af (110 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 3,000 CFS and 1,100 CFS twice a day. Water temperature is around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Plan your day according to high water and ride the wave. Usually the streamer fishing is fantastic during this flow pattern.

Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is sitting at 54 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is sitting at 59 percent of normal.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of December 04, 2023, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6493.36 feet, which amounts to 72 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of November totaled approximately 44,570 acre-feet (af) or 107 percent of average.

Current release rate is set at 1,175 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 December final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects above average conditions. December, January, and February Most Probable inflow volumes amount to 38,000 af (119 percent of average), 35,000 af (117 percent of average), and 33,000 af (118 percent of average) respectively.”

What this means:

Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 1,050 CFS.

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

Current snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is sitting at 56 percent of normal. Current snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is sitting at 64 percent of normal.

Green River Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of December 4, 2023 (end of day), Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6028.83 feet, which amounts to 88 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflow volume for the month of November is approximately 64,000 acre-feet (af), which is 130 percent of the average November unregulated inflow volume.

Flaming Gorge Dam operations are in an average hydrologic classification for the month of December and are projected to remain in the average hydrologic classification through the remainder of the base flow period. The winter average daily release remains within the average hydrologic classification range of 1,500 cfs to 2,400 cfs in Reach 2, measured at the Jensen USGS Gage. Current average daily release is approximately 2,120 cfs. This data is considered the most likely scenario given the current forecast, is general, and is subject to changing conditions.

The December unregulated inflows into Flaming Gorge for the next three months projects near average. December, January, and February forecasted unregulated inflow volumes 42,000 af (127 percent of average), 48,000 af (119 percent of average), and 50,000 af (110 percent of average), respectively.”

What this means:

Flows are fluctuating between 887 CFS and 2,200 CFS. At around 5 AM flows begin to increase for the day. Throughout the day the release is around 1,620 CFS. Around 10 PM flows increase to 2,200 CFS. At midnight flows drop to 887 CFS. Water temperatures are around 47.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Although this is a decent flow for fishing, the timing of the increase of water getting to the C section is a little late to capitalize on the streamer bite and daylight.

The Winterish weather has brought the terrestrial bite to a close. We are seeing a decent baetis hatch though so dry dropper or double dry rigs have been productive during the hatch. The streamer bite continues to get better, especially in the shade of the canyon on the A section. The bite on B is decent, but not as good as it currently is on A.

All in all the fishing remains great on the Green. Please be mindful of spawning fish. If you chose to fish during the spawn, do not walk on or through redds.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of December 04, 2023, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6493.36 feet, which amounts to 72 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of November totaled approximately 44,570 acre-feet (af) or 107 percent of average.

Current release rate is set at 1,175 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 December final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects above average conditions. December, January, and February Most Probable inflow volumes amount to 38,000 af (119 percent of average), 35,000 af (117 percent of average), and 33,000 af (118 percent of average) respectively.”

What this means:

Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 1,050 CFS.

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