Boulder Lake
Fly fishing in Wyoming · Intermediate · Best seasons: Summer, Fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout
About This Water
Wind River Range lake with trout. Scenic Bridger-Teton wilderness.
Fishing Recommendations
Greetings, angler. As your guide to the Wind River Range, I’m thrilled to break down Boulder Lake. Located just outside Pinedale, Wyoming, this is a quintessential "Gateway to the Winds" destination. It’s a massive glacial finger lake that offers a unique mix of accessible shoreline fishing and deep-water opportunities, all framed by the jagged peaks of the Wind River Range.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fishing Boulder Lake.
🎣 Location Overview
Boulder Lake is a deep, cold, oligotrophic lake formed by glacial activity. It serves as a transition point where the high-alpine granite of the Wind River Range meets the sagebrush sea of the high desert.
What makes it special is its versatility. While many high-country lakes require a 10-mile hike, Boulder Lake is accessible by vehicle but still retains a wild, "big water" feel. The lake is fed by Boulder Creek, which enters at the eastern end, creating a dynamic delta environment that is a magnet for trout. Anglers love it because it offers the chance to catch high-volume brookies and hard-fighting rainbows, with the constant looming possibility of a trophy-sized lake trout or a wild brown.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
While the lake holds several species, you are focusing on the most active surface and sub-surface feeders:
- Rainbow Trout: These are the acrobats of the lake. They tend to cruise the drop-offs where the shallow "shelves" fall off into deep blue water. They are highly active during midge and mayfly hatches and will often move into the shallows during the low light of dawn and dusk.
- Brook Trout: These are found in high concentrations near the inlet of Boulder Creek and along the eastern shorelines. They stick closer to structure—sunken logs, boulders (hence the name), and willow-lined banks. They are aggressive and highly opportunistic feeders.
- Bonus Species: Keep an eye out for Lake Trout (Mackinaw) and Brown Trout. While they dwell deep during the heat of summer, they move into the shallows in late fall to spawn or feed on smaller brook trout.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Optimal Seasons
- Summer (July – August): This is the prime window for dry fly action. The water temperature is perfect, and the fish are looking up.
- Fall (September – October): My personal favorite. As temperatures drop, the Brook Trout develop brilliant spawning colors and become very aggressive. The larger Lake Trout and Browns also move into the shallows.
Best Times of Day
- The "Golden Hour": The wind in Wyoming usually dies down at sunrise and just before sunset. This is when the "glass off" occurs, and you’ll see rings from rising trout across the entire surface.
- Mid-Day: If there is a breeze, focus on "wind-lines" where insects get trapped in the chop.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Dry Flies:
- Parachute Adams (Size 14-18) – The gold standard for midge/mayfly hatches.
- Chubby Chernobyl (Size 8-12) – Great as a terrestrial or a high-floating indicator.
- Elk Hair Caddis (Size 14-16) – Essential for evening hatches.
- Nymphs/Sub-surface:
- Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear (Size 14-16) – Mimics almost anything.
- Flashback Pheasant Tail (Size 16-18) – Perfect for the Boulder Creek inlet.
- Zebra Midge (Size 18-22) – Red or Black; deadly under a dry fly.
- Streamers:
- Woolly Bugger (Size 6-10) – Black or Olive. Retrieve these along the rocky drop-offs for aggressive rainbows.
Effective Techniques
- Dry-Dropper: This is the most effective summer rig. Hang a Zebra Midge or a small Pheasant Tail 2-3 feet below a Chubby Chernobyl. You cover the surface and the feeding zone simultaneously.
- The "Slow Strip": If using a streamer, don't burn it back. Use a slow, erratic strip to mimic a disoriented minnow or a large leech.
- Float Tube Fishing: If you have a float tube or kayak, you have a massive advantage. You can stay 30 feet off the shoreline and cast back toward the rocks, which is where the fish are looking for food.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Work the Inlet: The eastern end where Boulder Creek flows into the lake is the "honey hole." The moving water brings a constant conveyor belt of food. Focus on the seam where the moving water hits the still lake water.
- Watch the Wind: The "Pinedale Breeze" can turn into a gale by 2:00 PM. If the wind picks up, don't pack up. Fish the leeward side (where the wind is blowing onto the shore). The waves stir up nymphs and wash terrestrial insects into the water, creating a feeding frenzy in the murky "surf."
- Go Small for Brookies: If the brook trout are being finicky, drop down to 6X tippet and a size 20 midge. Sometimes they get "size-shy" in the clear water.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Boulder Lake is accessed via Boulder Lake Road (County Road 125) off Highway 191 south of Pinedale. The road is gravel but generally well-maintained. There is a USFS campground and a boat launch at the western end.
- Regulations: A valid Wyoming Fishing License is required. Ensure you also have a Conservation Stamp (required for most licenses). Always check the current Wyoming Game & Fish Department regulations for seasonal closures or creel limits.
- Bear Safety: You are in Grizzly and Black Bear country. Even though you are at a lake, always carry bear spray and keep a "clean camp" if you are staying overnight.
- Wind Safety: If you are in a small boat or float tube, stay vigilant. Storms can blow over the mountains with very little warning.
Tight lines, friend. Boulder Lake is a gem—respect the water, and it will treat you well!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callibaetis (Speckled Wing Mayfly) Callibaetis nigritus | mayfly | July, August, September | Morning to Early Afternoon | #12-16 | Callibaetis Spinner #14-16, Hare's Ear Nymph #12-16, Parachute Adams #14-18 |
| Chironomid (Midge) Chironomidae | midge | May, June, September | All Day | #16-22 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Ice Cream Cone #16-18, Griffith's Gnat #18-22 |
| Blue-Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | May, September, October | Mid-day (Cloudy weather) | #18-22 | BWO Sparkle Dun #18-22, RS2 #20-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #18-20 |
| Damselfly Enallagma | terrestrial | June, July | Late Morning/Afternoon | #10-14 | Marabou Damsel Nymph #10-12, Adult Damsel #12-14 |
| Caddisfly (Spotted Sedge) Hydropsyche | caddis | July, August | Evening | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16 |
| Grasshopper Acrididae | terrestrial | August, September | Mid-day to Evening | #8-12 | Dave's Hopper #8-12, Morrish Hopper #10-12 |
| Black Ant Formicidae | terrestrial | July, August | Afternoon | #16-20 | Black Foam Ant #16-18, Cinnamon Ant #18-20 |
| Dragonfly Anisoptera | terrestrial | July, August | Afternoon | #4-10 | Dragonfly Nymph (Olive) #6-10, Gomphus Nymph #8-10 |