Crater Lake in Big Horn County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Crater Lake is one of the Big Horn County listings for Wyoming. It stands 10,322 feet above sea level. It measures about 29 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. For a base, Buffalo sits 27 miles out. It is 113 miles to Billings, the nearest city. Neighbouring water: Upper Crater Lake at about 0.4 miles, Cliff Lake (0.4 miles), Sheepherder Lake at about 0.6 miles, Lake Eunice (0.8 miles) and Lake Elsa at about 0.9 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Crater Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Survey and observation records for Big Horn County include brook trout, rainbow trout and brown trout. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. On Crater Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 12°F and August at about 48°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid June. The water is typically free of ice between mid June and late October. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Time your trip to Crater Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. The water borders Cloud Peak Wilderness, so reserve rules are likely to apply. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Failing this one, try Upper Crater Lake, 0.4 miles away. Check the current arrangement for Crater Lake.