In the ongoing effort to understand fisheries in northwest Wyoming, biologists are offering incentives for anglers to call in any tagged trout they catch.
On Thursday, July 1, the lower portion of the North Fork of the Shoshone River and North Fork arm of Buffalo Bill Reservoir will be open to angling in Summer 2021. Once again, Wyoming Game and Fish is asking for the public’s assistance in their ongoing conservation efforts.
For two consecutive years, Game and Fish captured, tagged, and released rainbow, cutthroat, and hybrid trout in the North Fork with a goal to tag over 2,000 fish over a three to four-year period. The goal is to better understand the seasonal distribution of trout in the North Fork and Buffalo Bill Reservoir and to help generate estimates of angler catch and harvest rates.
If any angler happens to catch one of these tagged trout, Wyoming Game and Fish asks that you call it in. The number is 307-527-7125.
Make sure to observe and report the following details:
- Tag colors and numbers
- The date and location where the fish was caught.
- If the fish was harvested or released.
Most fish will have two different tags located near the dorsal fin. Game and Fish asks anglers to report each tag number and color. Photos are also a perfectly acceptable way to record and submit information to the department.
Any tagged trout caught can be kept – all Game and Fish biologists want is the tag’s information for their research.
“The more people who report tagged fish, the better quality our data will be and the more information we will get out of this important study,” said Fisheries Supervisor Sam Hochhalter. “To take the time to call in and report tagged fish is a huge ask of anglers, but this is important information that will ultimately benefit this cherished fishery.”
But there’s added incentive . . .
For each tagged fish reported, anglers will be entered into a raffle sponsored by the Adiposse Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Every angler who reports a tagged trout could win a Traeger grill or a Yeti cooler.
“This is our chance to learn a lot and have data that informs present and future management,” said Hochhalter. “We appreciate the support from the angling community to help us collect this valuable information.”
