Ice fishing in Wyoming: 10 lakes and how to stay safe

Ice first

Those figures are for clear, solid new ice. White or snow ice is about half as strong, so double them. Ice is never the same thickness across a lake: check it with a spud or auger every few steps, stay away from inlets, outlets, springs and pressure ridges, and follow your state agency's advice.

1. Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Flaming Gorge Reservoir covers 42,000 acres of water. The fish here are lake trout, trout, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass. The deepest water is around 436 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Under the ice, lake trout: cool surface. They come shallower; try shore points.

Flaming Gorge Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake spreads over 87,000 acres. It lies about 30 miles northwest of West Yellowstone. Trout and lake trout are the draw. The deepest water is around 394 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. At 7,732 feet elevation, Yellowstone Lake is the largest freshwater lake above 7,000 feet in North America. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

Yellowstone Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Jackson Lake

Jackson Lake covers 25,500 acres of water. You will find it about 69 miles southwest of Idaho Falls. Expect trout. At about 438 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Jackson Lake is a natural glacial lake in Grand Teton National Park that was enlarged by Jackson Lake Dam. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

Jackson Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Pathfinder Reservoir

Pathfinder Reservoir is a reservoir of 22,000 acres of water. You will find it within an easy drive of Casper (about 39 miles). It is the North Platte River behind Pathfinder Dam. The fish here are walleye, trout, yellow perch and kokanee salmon. It goes down to about 192 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Pathfinder Reservoir on the North Platte River holds the only established U.S. population of the Ohrid trout, a species native to the Balkans. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Pathfinder Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Boysen Reservoir

Boysen Reservoir spreads over some 19,600 acres. You will find it about 14 miles southwest of Riverton. It holds walleye, yellow perch, crappie and trout. Boysen Reservoir on the Wind River is a popular warmwater fishery known for walleye. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Boysen Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Bighorn Lake

Bighorn Lake spreads over 17,300 acres. You will find it about 9.4 miles west of Lovell. It is the Bighorn River behind Yellowtail Dam. The fish here are walleye, trout, yellow perch and crappie. The deepest water is around 450 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. Bighorn Lake straddles the Wyoming-Montana border within Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, impounded by Yellowtail Dam. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Bighorn Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Glendo Reservoir

Glendo Reservoir spreads over 12,000 acres. The lake is near Guernsey. It is the North Platte River behind Glendo Dam. Expect walleye. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Glendo Reservoir is considered one of the best walleye fisheries in Wyoming. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Glendo Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Buffalo Bill Reservoir

At some 8,500 acres, Buffalo Bill Reservoir is a good-sized lake. It lies about 6.6 miles northeast of Cody. It is the Shoshone River behind Buffalo Bill Dam. The fish here are trout, lake trout, walleye and yellow perch. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Buffalo Bill Dam, completed in 1910, was the tallest dam in the world at the time. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

Buffalo Bill Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Shoshone Lake

Shoshone Lake is a natural lake of some 8,050 acres. You will find it about 26 miles northwest of West Yellowstone. The fish here are lake trout and trout. It goes down to about 205 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Shoshone Lake is the largest backcountry lake in the lower 48 states that cannot be reached by road. Under the ice, lake trout: cool surface. They come shallower; try shore points.

Shoshone Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Fontenelle Reservoir

At some 8,000 acres, Fontenelle Reservoir is a good-sized lake. It lies about 27 miles southwest of Kemmerer. Fontenelle Dam holds it on the Green River. Trout are the draw. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Fontenelle Reservoir on the Green River offers brown, cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

Fontenelle Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

What to bring

• Ice picks around your neck and a throw rope
• A spud bar or auger to test as you walk
• A flotation suit or life jacket on early and late ice
• A friend, and someone on shore who knows where you went
• Small jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow or waxie