Fishing at Papoose Lake, Sublette County, Wyoming

• Overview

  Papoose Lake is set in Sublette County, Wyoming. It stands 9,872 feet above sea level. It covers about 18 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. The closest town, Fort Washakie, is 22 miles away. Then Lander, 23 miles, and Ethete, 27 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge. One side gets the morning sun and the other the evening.

• Where to Fish on Papoose Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Records held for Sublette County cover brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and lake trout. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The near bank of Papoose Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 48°F; the cold one sits at 14°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Once it clears, about mid June, the fishing comes on quickly. Climate averages put the opening at about mid June and the closing near late October. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. That is the shape of the year on Papoose Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Bear Lake is 1.7 miles distant. Check the position on Papoose Lake before loading the car.