Mountain Streams:
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek, Piney Creek and Tensleep Creek and their tributaries)

Bighorn mountain streams are starting to open up below 8000' elevation. Most will still be snow and ice covered above 8000' elevation.

Run-off has started, so water-levels will be elevated. If there is decent clarity, fishing can be good.

Fly Fishermen may have luck with Beadhead Nymphs, good patterns would be Halfbacks, Pat's Rubber Leggs, Squirmie's, and Squirrel Leeches.

Spin Fishermen should try small Spinners, like Panther Martins, Mepps Aglia, or Rooster Tails.

Also, worms fished in the deeper, slower sections can be very effective.

Mountain Lakes:
(Including Tie Hack Reservoir, Meadowlark Lake, and Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes)

Most Bighorn Mountain lakes are still snow and ice covered above 8000' elevation.

Tie-Hack Reservoir is open and folks are fishing. Fly Fishermen could try small nymphs like Pheasant Tails, and Hare's Ears. Also stripping Squirrel Leeches or fishing a Balanced Leech under an indicator may be effective.

Spin fishermen could try Lil Jakes, Thomas Cyclones, or Panther Martin, Mepps, or Rooster Tail Spinners.

Bait fishermen may have luck with worms or Powerbait.

Meadowlark Lake is starting to open up around the edges.

Prarie Streams:
(Including Clear Creek, Crazy Woman Creek, Rock Creek and Piney Creek)

Lower elevation streams are all experiencing heavy runoff, flows are up and the water is off-color. Fishing can be difficult with these conditions, concentrate on areas where there is "softer" flows and some water clarity.

Fly fishermen may have luck with Indicator Nymph Rigs. General Nymph Patterns with brighter colors, flash, and rubber legs may be effective. Streamers or Wooly Buggers trailed with a small beadhead nymph, Perdigon, or Squirmie Wormie.

There are a few streams in the Southern Bighorns (i.e. Middle Fork of Powder River) where the water has some clarity and fishing is good with stonefly imitations.

Spin Fishermen may have luck with Spinners with Gold, Silver, or Copper Blades.

Worms fished in slower, deeper, sections will also be effective.

Lake Desmet:
Lake DeSmet has been open for a couple of weeks. The water is very cold and weather has been unsettled, so not a ton of people are fishing. As the weather improves, fishing should improve.

The Buffalo Lions Club will be sponsoring their Annual Lake DeSmet Fishing Derby over Memorial Day Weekend.

Trout fishermen may have luck trolling with Krocodile Spoons, Rapalas, or Worm Harnesses for Rainbows.

Try fishing with large Flatfish lures on downriggers or are jigging with large white jigs for Lake Trout.

Kokanee anglers are trolling with Wedding Ring Lures, Squidders or Apex Spoons pulled behind a small flasher and tipped with a piece of corn.

Prairie Lakes and Ponds:
(Including Healy Reservoir, and Muddy Guard Reservoirs)

Muddy Guard Reservoir #1 is open and folks are fishing.

Muddy Guard Reservoir #2 was drained last fall, and water levels are very low. The Wyoming Game and Fish have not re-stocked it, but plan to, when it fills back up.

Fly fishermen should try Zebra Midges, Ice Cream Cones, Damsel patterns, and Balanced Leeches fished below an indicator or with large streamers fished deep with a fast sinking line.

Some anglers are reporting luck using midge or chironomid patterns fished below an indicator.

Spin Fishermen might try Jake's Lures or Panther Martin Spinners.

Healy Reservoir is fishing well.

Anglers are doing well catching Perch with Worms fished off of a Crappie rig.

Bass Fishermen are seeing some action with Crankbaits, Wacky Worm rigs, Spinner Baits, or Poppers.

For Tiger Muskies, try large Rapalas, or Large Mepps Bucktail Spinners.

General Info:
Most Bighorn Mountain lakes and streams are frozen and there is substantial snow above 8000'.

Tie-Hack Reservoir has started to open up around the edges and a few people are fishing.

Forest Service Road Conditions:
Many Forest Service roads are still closed and are snowed in. However, more improved routes are starting to open up every day. Please respect seasonal closures and try not to damage roads and trails that are wet and muddy. "Mud bogging" is discouraged as it causes resource damage that is difficult to repair and reclaim.

Cloud Peak Wilderness Trails:
All trails are snowed in. Access will be difficult without skis or snowshoes.

Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes:
Cloud Peak Wilderness lakes are all frozen and snowed in.

Snow and Skiing Conditions:
Meadowlark Ski Lodge and Antelope Butte Ski Area are closed for the season.

There are decent backcountry ski conditions above 9000' elevation.