FLY FISHING · SHERIDAN, WYOMING
Wake Up. Pour Coffee.
Walk to the River.
Sheridan sits at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains where the Tongue River, Goose Creek, and dozens of mountain streams converge. Stay close to the water.
Sheridan's Premier Fly Fishing Waters
The Bighorn Mountains feed a network of freestone streams and spring creeks that rival any fishery in Montana — without the crowds, the guides-only culture, or the $500/day guide fees.
Tongue River
10-20 min from downtown
The main artery. Brown trout up to 20 inches in the lower stretches, with excellent public access points from Dayton through Sheridan. Best fishing: early morning and evening hatches from June through October.
Goose Creek
15 min from downtown
A smaller, more intimate stream that runs through the foothills west of Sheridan. Brook trout and browns in a scenic canyon setting. Wade-friendly and rarely crowded.
Piney Creek
25 min from downtown
Flows from the Bighorns through Story and into the piedmont. Excellent pocket water for dry fly fishing. The upper stretches above Story hold eager cutthroat in cold, clear water.
North Tongue River
40 min from downtown
Above Dayton, the North Tongue enters the Bighorn National Forest and becomes true backcountry fishing — accessible by trail or forest road. Native cutthroat and brook trout in gin-clear water.
Bighorn River
1.5 hrs from Sheridan
The world-class tailwater near Thermopolis. 15-20 inch rainbows are common. This is a float trip — and one of the best dry-fly rivers in the American West. Worth the 1.5-hour drive.
Properties Near the Water
Wyo Stays manages 40+ vacation rentals across Sheridan County — from downtown walkability to mountain-adjacent cabins. For anglers, we recommend properties in three zones:
Dayton & Story. The closest properties to upper river access. Cabins in Story sit within walking distance of Piney Creek. Dayton properties put you on the Tongue River's best brown trout stretches.
Big Horn. The town of Big Horn, just south of Sheridan, offers proximity to Goose Creek and easy access to the Bighorn Scenic Byway for high-country fishing.
Downtown Sheridan. If you want walkable restaurants and craft breweries after a day on the river, downtown properties are 10-20 minutes from most fishing access points.
For anglers basing closer to the high country, see our complete collection of cabins near Bighorn National Forest, or browse the broader guide to Sheridan cabin rentals.
Guided vs. DIY: Fishing from Sheridan
DIY anglers will find excellent public access on the Tongue River, Goose Creek, and Piney Creek. Wyoming Game & Fish maintains public fishing access areas (PFAAs) throughout Sheridan County. A Wyoming fishing license is available online at wgfd.wyo.gov — non-resident daily licenses are $14.
Guided trips are the fastest way to learn the water. Fly Shop of the Big Horns in Sheridan is the go-to outfitter — they know every riffle, run, and hatch on the local streams. For the Bighorn River tailwater, they offer guided float trips that are genuinely world-class.
Either way, stay with Wyo Stays. A real kitchen to cook your streamside lunch. Gear storage. A porch to tie flies on. And a licensed brokerage behind every booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best fly fishing rivers near Sheridan, Wyoming?
The Tongue River, Goose Creek, and Piney Creek are all within 30 minutes of downtown Sheridan. The North Tongue River above Dayton offers excellent backcountry fishing. For a world-class tailwater experience, the Bighorn River near Thermopolis is about 1.5 hours from Sheridan.
Do I need a guide to fly fish near Sheridan?
Not necessarily — many stretches of the Tongue River and Goose Creek have excellent public access. However, a guide from Fly Shop of the Big Horns can put you on water you'd never find on your own, especially in the high-country creeks of the Bighorn Mountains.
What fish species can I catch near Sheridan?
Brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout are the primary species. The Tongue River is known for its brown trout, while the high-mountain creeks hold native cutthroat and brook trout. The Bighorn River offers some of the best rainbow trout fishing in the West.
Where should I stay for a fly fishing trip near Sheridan?
Properties in Dayton and Story put you closest to mountain streams. Downtown Sheridan properties are within 20 minutes of the Tongue River. Wyo Stays manages 40+ vacation rentals — many within walking or short driving distance of prime fishing water.
Your River Is Waiting.
40+ vacation rentals near Sheridan's best fishing water. Licensed brokerage. Book direct and save.
Browse All Stays →Wyo Stays · 151 W Brundage St · Sheridan, WY 82801 · (307) 312-9656 · Licensed Wyoming Real Estate Brokerage