Tongue River
Wyoming · Northeast Wyoming
Brown TroutRainbow TroutBrook Trout
Top 5 Fishing Locations on Tongue River
Dayton
The Tongue River near Dayton in the Bighorn Mountains foothills is Wyoming's most accessible medium-quality trout stream. Brown and rainbow trout are present throughout with fish averaging 10-14 inches. The proximity to Sheridan makes this a popular local fishery.
💧 Ideal flow: 100–400 CFS. The North Fork canyon fishes best at moderate flows — all trout except brook trout must be released under special regulations.
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Bighorn National Forest
Multiple access points through the Bighorn National Forest provide entry to excellent wild brown and rainbow trout water. Fish in the forest sections average larger than in the foothill areas below. The mountain scenery and quality fishing make the forest section worth the extra drive.
💧 Ideal flow: 80–300 CFS. The South Fork wild trout section fishes best at low to moderate stable flows — no stocking since 1991.
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Burgess Junction
Near Burgess Junction at high elevation in the Bighorns the upper Tongue flows through dense forest with excellent wild brook and brown trout. Native brook trout persist in the coldest headwater sections. The high-altitude setting creates a truly Wyoming mountain fishing experience.
💧 Ideal flow: 100–350 CFS. Caddis hatches explode at moderate flows once the river stabilizes in June — some of Wyoming's best dry fly fishing.
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Sheridan City Reach
The Tongue River through Sheridan is an urban fishery with good stocked and wild trout populations accessible from multiple city parks. Convenient access makes this ideal for visitors and those looking for nearby fishing. The river quality in this section is better than most urban Wyoming rivers.
💧 Ideal flow: 80–300 CFS. The 4,000–5,000 trout per mile density means fish at almost any low to moderate flow.
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Connor Battlefield Area
Near the historic Connor Battlefield the Tongue River flows through wide ranchlands with decent brown trout fishing accessible from public roads. The lower river transitions toward warmwater species but spring and fall offer the best trout fishing. Historical significance adds interest to the fishing experience.
💧 Ideal flow: Check TroutBible gauge before making the drive to this remote fishery — peak season is June through October at moderate stable flows.
📊 Get Location Flow Report
About Tongue River Fishing
The Tongue River's South Fork stands as one of Wyoming's premier wild trout fisheries, producing an exceptional 4,000-5,000 trout per mile with 65-75% measuring over 6 inches—all completely self-sustaining with zero hatchery influence since 1991. The North Fork carves through a dramatic canyon before opening into pristine meadow stretches alongside Highway 14A, offering anglers both technical canyon water and accessible streamside access to trophy-caliber trout.
Best Time to Fish Tongue River
The Tongue River transforms into some of Wyoming's best fishing once June flows stabilize and caddis hatches explode across both forks, creating consistent dry-fly opportunities throughout summer. Early season snowmelt makes spring challenging, but patient anglers willing to wade high water in May are rewarded with aggressive feeding before the crowds arrive in midsummer.
Species
Rainbow and brown trout dominate the Tongue River, with rainbows favoring the faster canyon sections and browns holding in deeper pools and meadow channels where they feed confidently on abundant caddis. Brook trout also inhabit the system; special regulations require immediate release of all rainbow and brown trout while brookies may be kept, making this fishery particularly selective for catch-and-release purists.
Access & Regulations
Always check the current Wyoming fishing regulations before heading out. Regulations on Tongue River may include special catch-and-release sections, artificial-only stretches, and seasonal closures. A valid Wyoming fishing license is required.
Live River Data
Live flow and gauge readings are sourced from the USGS National Water Information System and updated every 15–60 minutes. CFS (cubic feet per second) and gauge height give you a current snapshot of river conditions before your trip.