Safety

• According to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 4 inches of ice allows for safe fishing and 12 to 14 inches of ice will sustain a vehicle. Due to the possibility of someone falling through the ice, you must have a flotation device, ice picks, and a rope or ladder with you in case of emergency. Do not fish alone on open lakes in sub-zero weather. Also due to varying water levels and changing temperatures, contact local services about conditions specific to the lake where you plan to ice fish.
  
  

Requirements

• The state of Wyoming requires a fishing license for anyone 14 years or older. Obtain a fishing license through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website, by mail, which may take 15 business days, or by phone. Or buy a license from a license vendor at a local hardware store.
  
  

Gear

• In the icy winters of Wyoming, fishing on a frozen lake requires layers of clothing, jackets, gloves and a good pair of insulated boots. Bring extra clothes to avoid the risk of hypothermia. Another part of ice fishing gear is the ice auger, either a hand crank or motor, which drills a hole into the ice. Essential items include a rod, meal worms or wax worms for bait, a skimmer to remove slush from your fishing hole, and ice cleats to avoid slipping.
  
  

Skill

• Makinaw, German brown trout and rainbow trout are common catches in Wyoming lakes. Ice fishing requires a technique dedicated to timing. In this sport, the fish attacks as the lure moves downward. Jig the lure, moving it upward, then allow it to float down and give the fish a chance to attack. Use the lightest line, 1 to 2 lbs., and constantly keep your bait moving. Fishing at either dawn or dusk also increases your chances of a catch.
  
  

Location

• Ice fishing locations include New Fork, Boulder, Willow, Green River, Middle Piney Lakes, Fremont and Half Moon lakes. Locations such as Burnt, Meadow and Soda Lakes are not open to fishing during the winter months. The Pinedale Boat Club hosts the Big Ice Fishing Derby on Fremont Lake. In early March, fishermen from western Wyoming, Idaho and Utah travel to this lake to challenge the sport of ice fishing during the two-day weekend. Other ice fishing derbies are found throughout Wyoming at various lakes.