Last Chance Reservoir near Sheridan: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  In Wyoming, Last Chance Reservoir belongs to Sheridan County. Everything around it is lake country bush. The water measures roughly 13 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Some 21 miles away sits Sheridan, the nearest settlement. For a city, Billings is 107 miles off. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Last Chance Reservoir

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Species logged across Sheridan County include rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Last Chance Reservoir that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 54°F in July and bottoms out near 18°F in January. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Break-up comes around late May, and the run that follows is short and strong. Averages place the thaw at late May and the freeze at mid November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Plan around that when you fish Last Chance Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Mapping shows a campsite some half a mile from the water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Martin Reservoir, 0.5 miles away. Where Last Chance Reservoir is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.