Middle Lake Fishing near Fort Washakie, Wyoming

• Overview

  Middle Lake lies in Sublette County, in Wyoming. Elevation runs to 9,941 feet. The water covers some 34 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. 18 miles away sits Fort Washakie, the nearest town. After that come Lander at 20 miles and Ethete at 23 miles. Within a short drive: Cloverleaf Lake just 0.5 miles, Cathedral Lake lies 0.6 miles on, Smith Lake just 0.7 miles, Cook Lake lies 0.9 miles on and Mendarrin Lake just 1.4 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Middle Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Sublette County include brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and lake trout. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Middle Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 50°F in July and bottom out at 16°F in January. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early June. Break-up near early June, freeze-up near early November: that is the shape of an average year. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Anyone fishing Middle Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. For a change of water, Cloverleaf Lake is 0.5 miles distant. Check the position on Middle Lake before loading the car.