2026 Southern Wyoming Fly Fishing Outlook

It's looking like 2026 in southern Wyoming will be the story of the winter that never was. We are moving into April with the local snowpack hovering around 70% - indicating a likely low-water year for the Laramie and Platte Rivers as well as major tributaries. We should see some good pre-runoff fishing, and probably some pretty good options during what is likely to be a rather weak and brief runoff period.

Snowpack

As of right now, we can expect a blink-and-you-might-miss-it style of runoff this season. Float season is likely to be much shorter than usual, but the low water could open up some quality wade fishing opportunities in May and June that normally might not be accessible. The way our current snowpack is holding right around 70% indicates that we will probably see low water and increasing water temperatures by late June to early July.

Fishing Outlook

Low water will make for a short float season but will also provide a wider variety of options for wading anglers. As always, we should still see some good fishing in the pre-runoff and runoff windows now through early June, and plenty of insect activity should make for steady action until flows start to drop considerably.

Later in the season, exploring the high country where flows may hold a little better and water temperatures will remain much more comfortable for wild trout may be the best option for anglers as we move into July and August.

Of course, the always looming potential for late season snow storms could change this outlook considerably. A couple of Wyoming's famous April - June snowstorms could bolster the snowpack significantly, but as of right now, there is no such weather in the forecast ahead.

Current Conditions

The recent heatwave has really kicked off fishing throughout the Laramie and Platte River valleys. The Laramie and Platte Rivers are free of ice and running clear up to about 8,000' in elevation. Some tributaries are starting to open up as well. Higher elevations tributaries and lakes remain frozen and inaccessible, but will likely be fishable much earlier than normal this season. Stoneflies, worms, scuds, and streamer patterns will be the most effective set ups for this pre-runoff window.

The plains lakes are all ice-free and should be fishing quite well already. If you are willing to brave the wind, you should be able to find big fish cruising shallow ready to chase a streamer. Water levels are lower than usual right now on the Laramie plains lakes.

Freeflow Outdoors Fishing Report

With fishing season now upon us, we will be updating our fishing report on a weekly basis - be sure to check back with this blog for weekly updates April - October.

Be sure to check out the 'Fly Fishing' tab on our website for more information on our local fishery, fly shop, and guided fishing trips in southern Wyoming!

As always, give us a call at the shop or stop in for the most up-to-the-minute updates, fly recommendations, monthly fly fishing specials, or just to swap fishing stories!

Freeflow Outdoors

516 S 3rd St

Laramie, WY 82070

(307) 460-2221

Tues - Fri: 10a - 6p

Saturday: 10a - 4p

Sun - Mon: Closed