Kirkland Lake Fishing Guide, Fremont County, Wyoming

• Overview

  Look for Kirkland Lake in Fremont County, Wyoming. The surface lies 9,977 feet up. Around 65 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The bank runs about 1.6 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Supplies mean a trip to Fort Washakie, 27 miles off. Pinedale follows at 30 miles, then Ethete at 32 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Kirkland Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Fremont County records list brown trout, rainbow trout, white sucker and brook trout among the fish reported. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. The shape of Kirkland Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 52°F in July and bottoms out near 18°F in January. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late May. Expect the water usable from around late May until roughly early November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Kirkland Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. The nearest alternative is Big Milky Lake, 3.4 miles out. Treat access at Kirkland Lake as something to verify.