Encampment River Wilderness Fishing Access Site

Description

Encampment River Wilderness lies within the Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming, is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is located on the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District in the Sierra Madre Range. Designated a Wilderness Area in 1984 with 10,124 acres, it is the smallest wilderness area in Wyoming. The average elevation is 7,800 feet. The Encampment River flows through a narrow rugged canyon and varies from narrow, rushing rapids to calm, smooth stretches. Although the trail was cleared by a wilderness trail crew in 2015 the hike along the river may become blocked by dead trees again. Fishing and hunting are popular in the Encampment River Wilderness.

Find out about the latest fishing action with our North Platte River Fishing Report

Features

Activities:

Fishing

Fishing Water Reports

North Platte River Fishing Report

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Originating in Jackson County Colorado, The North Platte flows north until it reaches Jasper, Wyoming at which point it turns southeast and eventually empties into the Missouri River. ... moreOver 300 miles of this lengthy river, run within the state’s boundaries, making it Wyoming’s longest tributary of the Missouri. The Upper North Platte is best defined as remote, undeveloped and pristine. For fly fishermen seeking quiet and solitude, this section of the river has much to offer, including 55 miles of heavily forested greenery and Blue Ribbon waters from the Colorado border to a point just shy of Saratoga.

Near the junction of the Encampment, another highly regarded trout stream, the river enters the high plains and runs free until blocked by the Seminoe Dam and reservoir, about 100 miles north of the border. Below Seminole Dam is the smaller Kortes Dam and a short distance downstream from there begins the world famous Miracle Mile. This stretch is not known for dry-fly fishing; for best results, anxious anglers are encouraged to use nymphs, woolly buggers, streamers and glo-bugs that can be fished deep or just under the surface film. Favorite nymphs and emergers, in bedheads and unweighted, include squirrel tails, pheasant tails, hare’s ear and Prince nymphs, flashbacks, caddis larva and caddis pupa. There is full public access along the Mile although accommodations are mainly limited to campsites.

If you are intent on finding the rare and difficult, The Dome Rock Reservoir, located in the North Platte drainage basin, is managed as a finespotted cutthroat fishery although catches are limited and tackle is restricted. Fishing in North Platte reservoirs can also be challenging and rewarding. Seminoe, Pathfinder, and Alcova are excellent sources of both trout and walleye. Another excellent tailwater fishery is located just below the Alcova Reservoir from Grey Reef Dam to Goose Egg, just west of Casper, where you can find cutthroat, rainbows and browns. Since the Miracle Mile tends to be crowded, Grey Reef appears to be taking its place as the fly fishermen’s new “most favored” destination.

Game Fish Opportunities: