Fishing Long Lake in Carbon County, Wyoming

• Overview

  Long Lake is listed under Carbon County, Wyoming. The ground round it is pine and birch. With some 28 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Saratoga is the closest place, 23 miles off. Laramie follows at 42 miles, then Rawlins at 49 miles. Nearby, in order: Murky Lake about 3 miles, Turpin Reservoir some 4.6 miles off, Sand Lake about 5.6 miles, North Banner Lake some 6 miles off and East Banner Lake about 6.3 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Long Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. County-wide records name brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Take Long Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 21°F in January up to 58°F in July. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early May. On average, early May opens the water and mid November closes it again. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Long Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Murky Lake, 3 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. For Long Lake in particular, ask before you travel.