Fishing at Franklin Reservoir, Lincoln County, Wyoming

• Overview

  Lincoln County in Wyoming is where Franklin Reservoir sits. It sits at 7,073 feet above sea level. With some 28 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. 8.3 miles away sits Kemmerer, the nearest town. Lyman is 37 miles away, with Mountain View at 41 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Franklin Reservoir

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Reported across Lincoln County: cutthroat trout, brown trout and brook trout. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Franklin Reservoir gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 62°F and January near 17°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. The water is typically free of ice between late April and mid November. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. That shapes the year on Franklin Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Graham Reservoir is 8 miles off. Check the position at Franklin Reservoir before loading the car.