Fishing Report - 5/17/25

Runoff has been sputtering to a start this week, with flows fluctuating quite a bit from river to river, but the overall trend is increasing flows and it looks like runoff will most likely get started in force early next week.

Colder temperatures have resulted in decreased water temperatures, this combined with some precipitation has made for some tough fishing conditions on the rivers and streams. Higher elevation tributary streams are on the higher side as well, but they are still running with pretty good visibility and can provide an option for anglers looking to continue fishing moving water during runoff. Tributary options are very much day-to-day at this time of year, but can provide opportunities when the bigger rivers become too muddy to fish. Keep an eye on flows and weather patterns and look for cooler nights with slightly dropping flows.

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Upper North Platte

Flows: ~ 400 cfs (Northgate)

Conditions: The Platte has been hovering around 400 cfs for over a week now. I would expect to see the Platte rise over the next week, although it will be interesting to see what it peaks at this year. Expect runoff conditions for the week to come. Darker, large profile flies will be the most effective as flows increase and visibility worsens.

Flies: Nymphs; Rubber Legs, 20 Incher, San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy, Restless Stone, CDC Stone, Copper John, Prince Nymph, Devil Jig, HDA FAV, Blow Torch, Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail

Streamers; Mini Dungeon, Tequeely, Circus Peanut, Sculpzilla, Slumpbuster, Platte River Spider, Barely Legal

Laramie River

Flows: ~ 150 cfs (Woods Landing, WY)

Conditions: The Laramie River has been up and down over the past week and the fluctuating flows and inconsistent weather has made for some slow fishing. We are getting into fish with standard pre-runoff nymph selections, but haven't seen any "lights-out" fishing over the past week. Look for runoff to start up with some precipitation and warmer temperatures forecasted for next week.

Flies: Nymphs; Rubber Legs, 20 Incher, San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy, Restless Stone, CDC Stone, Copper John, Prince Nymph, Devil Jig, 307 Nymph, Hell Razor Craw

Streamers; Mini Dungeon, Circus Peanut, Tequeely, Boogieman, Heisenberg, Baby Gonga, Slumpbuster, Sculpzilla, Thin Mint

Tributary Streams

Flows: ~ 100 - 900 cfs

Conditions: Tributaries to the Laramie and North Platte Rivers can be wildly variable this time of year, although they will become the best option for wading anglers as runoff gets going. Anglers who do a little bit of homework can be rewarded with some great conditions this time of year. Higher elevation tributaries will be on the rise, but runoff is a little more delayed the farther you go up in a drainage and water clarity is typically much better on the tributary streams during runoff.

Flies: Nymphs; Rubber Legs, 20 Incher, San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy, Restless Stone, CDC Stone, Copper John, Hell Razor Craw

Streamers; Thin Mint, Wolly Bugger, Platte River Spider, Tequeely, Slumpbuster, Pine Squirrel, Dirty Hippie, Baby Gonga

Laramie Plains Lakes

Conditions: The Plains Lakes are all open and reportedly fishing well! Now is a great time of year to target large fish on streamers patterns as fish should be cruising the shallows looking for an easy meal to bulk up on after a long winter under the ice.

Flies: Hell Razor Craw, Tequeely, Platte River Spider, Hot Head Leech, Pine Squirrel, Wolly Bugger, Juju Midge, WD-40