Ice Fishing Near Sheridan Wyoming: A Complete Beginner's Guide
September 20, 2026 · 6 min read read · Wyo Stays Journal
Several reservoirs and lakes in the Bighorn Mountains and surrounding foothills freeze reliably enough for a day on the ice, primarily holding rainbow trout, brown trout, and yellow perch, once ice reaches a safe thickness — typically from late December through February depending on winter severity. A Wyoming fishing license is required for anyone 14 and older.
Locals at Wyo Stays know this isn't a huge tourist draw the way the summer fly fishing scene is, and that's exactly the appeal — quiet water, thin crowds, and some genuinely good trout fishing if you know where to drill.
Ice Fishing Near Sheridan Wyoming: Where Can You Go?
Ice fishing near Sheridan Wyoming means starting at the foothills, not the high country. Several reservoirs in the foothills and lower Bighorns freeze reliably enough for ice fishing in a typical winter, offering access to stocked trout populations along with native and wild fish in some drainages. Higher-elevation lakes in the Bighorn National Forest also ice over but come with harder access — expect a longer approach and less predictable ice conditions the higher you go. We always tell first-timers to start at a lower-elevation reservoir with known ice conditions rather than hiking into a remote lake without local knowledge of current thickness.
| Species | Typical Waters | Season Window | License Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow trout | Foothill/valley reservoirs | Late Dec–Feb (estimate, ice dependent) | Yes, WY resident/nonresident |
| Brown trout | Foothill/valley reservoirs | Late Dec–Feb (estimate) | Yes |
| Yellow perch | Select stocked lakes | Dec–Feb (estimate) | Yes |
| Higher-elevation lakes (Bighorns) | Bighorn National Forest | Variable, harder access | Yes |
What Fish Can You Catch, and Is the Ice Safe?
Rainbow trout and brown trout are the primary targets in most stocked reservoirs, with yellow perch and occasionally other panfish in some waters. Wyoming Game and Fish stocks a number of area waters seasonally, so check their current stocking reports for the specific lake you're planning to fish — populations and size classes shift year to year.
Never assume ice thickness from one report or one spot on the lake — conditions vary across a single body of water, especially near inlets, outlets, and areas with current or springs. General safety guidance calls for at least 4 inches of clear, solid ice for foot traffic, more for groups or gear, and local outfitters or bait shops are usually the best source for current, spot-specific ice reports. When in doubt, don't go out — checking conditions the morning of is worth the delay.
Ice fishing rewards patience more than any single piece of gear. Drilling multiple holes and moving between them as you search for active fish beats sitting over one spot all day, especially early in a session when you're still learning where fish are holding. Locals know that low-light periods — early morning and the hour before sunset — tend to produce the most consistent action, mirroring open-water trout behavior. If you're fishing near other anglers, keep a respectful distance between holes and pack out everything you bring in, including old fishing line, which is a genuine hazard to wildlife if left on the ice or shoreline.
Calm, clear mornings after a stable cold stretch tend to produce the safest ice and often the best fishing, since a hard freeze without a lot of freeze-thaw cycling makes for more predictable, uniform ice thickness. Avoid heading out during or immediately after a warm spell or heavy snow load, both of which can weaken ice unevenly across a lake. Wind matters too — a calm day is far more comfortable for sitting still on open ice than a windy one, even at the same air temperature.
What Gear and License Do You Need?
A basic ice fishing setup includes:
- An auger to drill through the ice
- A short ice rod and reel
- Small jigs or bait
- A portable shelter or, at minimum, layered clothing and something to sit on off the ice
Beginners can rent or borrow gear locally rather than investing before a first trip; local sporting goods shops can point you toward current conditions and gear recommendations. Book direct at book.wyostays.com — skip the OTA fees, and come back from a cold morning on the ice to a warm rental with room to dry gear and thaw out. Wyo Stays is a licensed, insured Wyoming vacation rental brokerage, so booking direct keeps the savings in your gear budget, not an OTA's pocket.
Yes — the same Wyoming fishing license requirements apply whether you're fishing open water or through the ice, for residents and nonresidents age 14 and up. Licenses are available online through Wyoming Game and Fish or at local sporting goods retailers, and it's worth having proof of license with you on the ice, since wardens do check. Bringing a friend or joining someone experienced for your first outing solves two problems at once — it's safer to have a second person if ice conditions turn, and you'll learn faster watching someone who already knows where the fish are holding on a given lake. It also makes hauling gear across a frozen reservoir a lot more manageable when there are two sets of hands splitting the load.
Pair an ice fishing trip with our guide to fly fishing the Tongue and Bighorn Rivers for the warmer-season version of the same waters, or plan your whole visit with the Sheridan Vacation Guide. Either season, the same foothill reservoirs and mountain drainages are doing the work — only the approach and the gear list change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where can you ice fish near Sheridan, Wyoming? A: Several foothill and lower-elevation reservoirs near Sheridan freeze reliably for ice fishing in a typical winter, along with some higher Bighorn National Forest lakes that require harder access. Check current conditions before choosing a spot.
Q: What fish do people catch ice fishing near Sheridan? A: Mostly rainbow trout and brown trout, with yellow perch in some stocked waters. Check Wyoming Game and Fish stocking reports for the specific lake you plan to fish.
Q: How thick does ice need to be to fish safely? A: General guidance suggests at least 4 inches of clear, solid ice for foot traffic, with more required for groups or added gear weight. Always verify current, spot-specific conditions rather than assuming based on a general report.
Q: Do you need a license to ice fish in Wyoming? A: Yes, anyone 14 or older needs a valid Wyoming fishing license, available online through Wyoming Game and Fish or at local sporting goods stores.
Q: Is ice fishing near Sheridan good for beginners? A: Yes, especially at lower-elevation reservoirs with easier access and more predictable ice. Start there, go with someone experienced if possible, and always confirm current ice conditions before heading out.
Book Your Ice Fishing Basecamp
Book Direct — No Channel Fees and come home to real Wyoming hospitality after a day on the ice. Browse our properties at wyostays.com or reserve at book.wyostays.com.