02-02-2007, 11:10 PM
CASPER - It may not be the best time to drift a dry fly down a trout stream or cast a bass plug in a plains pond, but it's a good time to be planning the upcoming season's trips by picking up the 2007 Walk-In Area Fishing Atlas.
The 42-page fishing guide features 49 fishing spots enrolled in the Game and Fish Department's Private Lands Public Wildlife Access Program. The new atlas, available at license agents and Game and Fish offices, lists prominent species found in each stream or lake, plus detailed directions to reach the waters, reports Brian Olsen, Game and Fish access coordinator for northeast Wyoming. All walk-in fishing area information can also be found on the department's Web site under "Public Access."
The program's lake acreage increased from 276 acres last year to 281 acres. Stream length declined just slightly from 100 to 98.46 miles.
The areas offer many of the great variety of fish species Wyoming hosts. And although just a few years old, walk-in areas can already boast a state record: green sunfish caught from J Bar U pond near Kaycee Aug. 9, 2001. The 2/3-pound record stood nearly five years before being bested by in June 2006. But it speaks to the overall quality access being provided by the program. Maybe the J Bar U pond can reclaim the record because it is still in the program.
Obviously the program doesn't have the finances to enroll posh fishing like Teton County spring creeks, the New Fork River or the South Fork of the Shoshone. Some of the spots may not qualify for the cover of travel brochures - but many anglers are glad about that fact. Take Mel Knopp for example of Lincoln, Neb. He's a catfisherman that likes to visit mountains, too. He's elated at the huge increase in catfishing access all the walk-in areas along the Big Horn River have provided. Reports from the basin are that the increased access have created new anglers for the excellent tasting fish.
Olsen encourages landowners who would like to receive a payment for allowing public fishing access to their stream or pond to contact their local Game and Fish office or game warden. "Likewise, anglers who know of some potential fishing on private land, let us know and we'll contact the landowner," he said. Contracts for 2008 need to be signed by Oct. 1, 2007 and landowners can enroll for one to five years.
To promote the enrollment of more waters, Olsen urges anglers to pack out their trash and any other litter they see. "It is also very important that when we do get some snow or rain, that anglers use some discretion to not tear up the access roads on private property," he adds.
Anglers and hunters are encouraged to contribute to the Access Yes program whenever they purchase or apply for a license. Access Yes donations are used strictly for providing access through easements to offer more places for sportsmen to hunt and fish.
The 42-page fishing guide features 49 fishing spots enrolled in the Game and Fish Department's Private Lands Public Wildlife Access Program. The new atlas, available at license agents and Game and Fish offices, lists prominent species found in each stream or lake, plus detailed directions to reach the waters, reports Brian Olsen, Game and Fish access coordinator for northeast Wyoming. All walk-in fishing area information can also be found on the department's Web site under "Public Access."
The program's lake acreage increased from 276 acres last year to 281 acres. Stream length declined just slightly from 100 to 98.46 miles.
The areas offer many of the great variety of fish species Wyoming hosts. And although just a few years old, walk-in areas can already boast a state record: green sunfish caught from J Bar U pond near Kaycee Aug. 9, 2001. The 2/3-pound record stood nearly five years before being bested by in June 2006. But it speaks to the overall quality access being provided by the program. Maybe the J Bar U pond can reclaim the record because it is still in the program.
Obviously the program doesn't have the finances to enroll posh fishing like Teton County spring creeks, the New Fork River or the South Fork of the Shoshone. Some of the spots may not qualify for the cover of travel brochures - but many anglers are glad about that fact. Take Mel Knopp for example of Lincoln, Neb. He's a catfisherman that likes to visit mountains, too. He's elated at the huge increase in catfishing access all the walk-in areas along the Big Horn River have provided. Reports from the basin are that the increased access have created new anglers for the excellent tasting fish.
Olsen encourages landowners who would like to receive a payment for allowing public fishing access to their stream or pond to contact their local Game and Fish office or game warden. "Likewise, anglers who know of some potential fishing on private land, let us know and we'll contact the landowner," he said. Contracts for 2008 need to be signed by Oct. 1, 2007 and landowners can enroll for one to five years.
To promote the enrollment of more waters, Olsen urges anglers to pack out their trash and any other litter they see. "It is also very important that when we do get some snow or rain, that anglers use some discretion to not tear up the access roads on private property," he adds.
Anglers and hunters are encouraged to contribute to the Access Yes program whenever they purchase or apply for a license. Access Yes donations are used strictly for providing access through easements to offer more places for sportsmen to hunt and fish.