Red Top Reservoir near Gillette: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  The Campbell County end of Wyoming holds Red Top Reservoir. Land around it is lake country bush. Small enough that any disturbance crosses the whole surface. It is a small entry by Campbell County standards. 9.4 miles away sits Gillette, the nearest town. Billings is the closest city, 176 miles away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Red Top Reservoir

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Public occurrence data for Campbell County names green sunfish, black bullhead, white sucker, stonecat and channel catfish. The county list is broader than any single water. At Red Top Reservoir light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 69°F; by January the average is down near 20°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early April. The season between ice runs from about early April to late November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Red Top Reservoir runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Mapped as intermittent, it fills after rain and shrinks between. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Lake Bed Reservoir at 2.2 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Red Top Reservoir.