What special fishing regulations apply at Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes?

Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override Wyoming's statewide 2026 rules, covering Cutthroat trout, Lake trout (Mackinaw), and Brook trout. One of them reads: "Native Colorado River cutthroat 0 / day CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY on listed wild-trout reaches; golden trout + brook trout + rainbow + lake trout 6 / day combined elsewhere; Bridger-Teton + Shoshone National Forests + Wind River Indian Reservation tribal-waters jurisdiction overlay (Wind River Tribal Permit required on reservation waters)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes?

Yes. Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes is in Wyoming, so a valid Wyoming fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Wind River alpine lakes; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Wyoming rules.

Do Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes' special rules replace Wyoming's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Wyoming's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Wind River alpine lakes by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Wind River alpine lakes?

Cutthroat trout, Lake trout (Mackinaw), and Brook trout have a water-body-specific rule on Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes, each linking to its full Wyoming regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Wyoming limits.

2026 regulation year

Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes 2026 — Wyoming Fishing Regulations

Wyoming statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated May 30, 2026

Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes carries 4 special-regulation overlays on top of Wyoming's 2026 fishing rules — covering Cutthroat trout, Lake trout (Mackinaw), Brook trout. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

Get change alerts

Watch Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes (WY) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Native Colorado River cutthroat 0 / day CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY on listed wild-trout reaches; golden trout + brook trout + rainbow + lake trout 6 / day combined elsewhere; Bridger-Teton + Shoshone National Forests + Wind River Indian Reservation tribal-waters jurisdiction overlay (Wind River Tribal Permit required on reservation waters)
Source: Wyoming special-water list

Per-species rules on Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes

Cutthroat trout regulations →
0 / day CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY native Colorado River cutthroat on listed wild-trout reaches; Bridger-Teton + Shoshone NF + Wind River Tribal Permit overlay
Lake trout (Mackinaw) regulations →
6 / day combined trout; native + introduced lake trout fishery alongside golden trout + brook trout
Brook trout regulations →
16 / day (often liberalized further under area regulations); densest alpine-lake brook trout fishery in the lower 48; Bridger-Teton + Shoshone NF + Wind River Indian Reservation tribal-permit overlay

Official source

Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) publishes the authoritative 2026 Wyoming fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Wyoming fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Wyoming Game and Fish Department's emergency-order feed — check it before any Wyoming trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Wyoming

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes?: Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override Wyoming's statewide 2026 rules, covering Cutthroat trout, Lake trout (Mackinaw), and Brook trout. One of them reads: "Native Colorado River cutthroat 0 / day CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY on listed wild-trout reaches; golden trout + brook trout + rainbow + lake trout 6 / day combined elsewhere; Bridger-Teton + Shoshone National Forests + Wind River Indian Reservation tribal-waters jurisdiction overlay (Wind River Tribal Permit required on reservation waters)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes?: Yes. Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes is in Wyoming, so a valid Wyoming fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Wind River alpine lakes; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Wyoming rules.
Do Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes' special rules replace Wyoming's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Wyoming's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Wind River alpine lakes by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Wind River alpine lakes?: Cutthroat trout, Lake trout (Mackinaw), and Brook trout have a water-body-specific rule on Wind River Range high-altitude alpine lakes, each linking to its full Wyoming regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Wyoming limits.

← Back to Wyoming regulations overview