Read up on Regulations

Spring runoff is winding up in Wyoming, and for anglers it means even more waters to access. With that in mind, the Wyoming Game and Fish encourages anglers to grab a copy of the latest regulations and bone up on the regulations for the region you’re headed to. Page 7 of the regs will get you headed that way; statewide regulations are actually on page 3 and pages 20-24, but here you’ll get oriented to the next steps on your adventure.

A key thing to know from the regulations if you catch some fish is how many you can keep. Wyoming regulations clearly say “Except as otherwise provided, no person shall harvest and keep during any one day, or have in possession, more than the number and length of game fish specified in the creel limits—which are found on the same page for various fish species. There are exceptions, also outlined in the regulations in each region, but except as otherwise provided, the total combined creel and possession limit for trout regardless of waters a person is fishing cannot be more than six per day or in possession—that means the fish you may have in your freezer at home too. Those fish you do keep need to be kept in a manner that species and numbers can be determined. If you’re in an area where length limits apply, you’ll need to keep that entire fish intact while in transit or in the field. You can clean the fish and remove gills.

Anglers should also browse through the whole booklet, because there’s things to learn on everything from bait, to fishing contests, what to do if you come across a check station and various terms and definitions anglers should know.

Finally, don’t forget your license and conservation stamp when fishing. Resident youth under 14 don’t need one and their creel limit is the same as an adults; a nonresident youth under 14 can fish without a license one provided they are fishing with an adult who does have a license. But…their creel limit is also applied to the adult with the license. Nonresident youth under 14 can have their own full creel limit if they buy a nonresident youth annual or daily fishing license. Regulations are online on the Game & Fish website or at license selling agents in Wyoming.