Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of February 7, 2021, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6477.89 feet, which amounts to 44 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of January totaled 25,000 acre-feet (af) or 82 percent of average. 

Fontenelle’s releases are currently set at 825 cfs. This release is scheduled to be maintained through the Fall/Winter operation period, which typically ends in late March or early April when ice on the Green River begins to thaw.

The February final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects below average conditions. February, March, and April inflow volumes amount to 22,000 af (80 percent of average), 39,000 af (74 percent of average), and 55,000 af (64 percent of average), respectively. 

The 2021 water year unregulated inflow volume is forecasted to be 659,000 af (61 percent of average) based on the February forecast.“

What this means:

Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 778 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is currently at 85 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is currently at 83 percent of normal.

As with the Green below Flaming Gorge you will see some midge activity during the day. If you are nymphing plan on having a variety of scuds, midges, and blood midges. Although not as productive as the streamer bite is on the Utah Green in the winter you can still have some fantastic streamer fishing below Fontenelle as well. Look for fish in the slower, deeper water. Black, gray, olive, and ginger are my go to winter colors. Some of my favorite patterns are the peanut envy, dungeon, sculpin leech, and the sculpzilla.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of December 2, 2020, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6487.64 feet, which amounts to 61 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of November totaled 32,400 acre-feet (af) or 77 percent of average. 

Fontenelle’s releases are currently set at 825 cfs. This release is scheduled to be maintained through the Fall/Winter operation period, which typically ends in March when ice on the Green River begins to thaw.

The December final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects below average conditions. December, January, and February inflow volumes amount to 27,000 af (84 percent of average), 26,000 af (86 percent of average), and 24,000 af (87 percent of average), respectively. “

Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 751 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is currently at 81 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is currently at 85 percent of normal.

As with the Green below Flaming Gorge you will see some midge activity during the day. If you are nymphing plan on having a variety of scuds, midges, and blood midges. Although not as productive as the streamer bite is on the Utah Green in the winter you can still have some fantastic streamer fishing below Fontenelle as well. Look for fish in the slower, deeper water. Black, gray, olive, and ginger are my go to winter colors. Some of my favorite patterns are the peanut envy, dungeon, sculpin leech, and the sculpzilla.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

The following is copied from https://www.sweetwaternow.com/no-fishing-for-non-residents-in-wyoming-until-may-8/

“The sale of non-resident daily and five-day fishing licenses were suspended a few weeks ago, and that suspension will be extended through May 8.

The suspension of sale is being done to align with Governor Mark Gordon’s directive to have non-resident visitors self quarantine for 14 days upon entering the state through May 8.

Brian Nesvik, Wyoming Game and Fish Director, said the suspension of the sale of these licenses is intended to protect the health of Wyoming residents. With non-residents coming into the state, they present the risk of bringing the COVID-19 Coronavirus with them.

On May 8, the Wyoming Game and Fish plans to resume the sale of the non-resident fishing licenses immediately.”

I will update my fishing reports accordingly once this restriction has been lifted.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, The Wyoming Department of Health finds it necessary to protect the health of the public by implementing emergency measures to close all restaurants, bars, theaters, gymnasiums, child care facilities, K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and trade schools, in the State of Wyoming, through April 17, 2020.

There are some signs of Spring making their way into Southwestern Wyoming. Some of these signs include melting snow, mud, and run off on the warmer days. If you are going to head this way, dress warm and expect to still find frozen guides throughout the early morning hours. If you are wade fishing be mindful of where you are driving. Icy and snowy roads in the morning can become mud pits in the afternoon. Flows below Fontenelle Reservoir are around 1,030 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River drainage is currently sitting at 105 percent of normal and 114 percent of normal in the Lower Green River drainage.

With the warming temperatures, expect the Green River to start turning off color from Slate Creek down. River temperatures are still quite cold so think scuds and midges if you are nymphing. Expect fish to be holding in drop offs and deep seams. Some Baetis are starting to show up, but they won’t be of much significance for a few more weeks. Streamer fishing has been decent. White and gold, ginger, olive and copper, and black have been my go to colors up North.