Green River Lakes
Fly fishing in Wyoming · Intermediate · Best seasons: Summer, Fall
Target Species
Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout
About This Water
Headwaters of the Green River with cutthroat trout. Stunning Wind River Range scenery.
Fishing Recommendations
As an expert guide who has spent countless days in the Wind River Range, I can tell you that the Green River Lakes area is the crown jewel of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. This is where the mighty Green River begins its 730-mile journey to the Colorado River, and for a fly angler, it is nothing short of a high-alpine paradise.
🎣 Location Overview
Located at the end of a long gravel road north of Pinedale, Wyoming, Green River Lakes sits at the base of the iconic Squaretop Mountain. The area consists of two primary lakes (Lower and Upper Green River Lakes) connected by a meandering section of the river.
The water is characterized by its stunning glacial "flour"—a fine silt that gives the lakes a breathtaking turquoise hue. This is quintessential wilderness fishing. Anglers love it because it combines stillwater opportunities with classic meadow-stream meanders, all set against one of the most photographed backdrops in the Rocky Mountains. The fish here are wild, vibrant, and, in the case of the brookies, exceptionally beautiful.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
- Colorado River Cutthroat Trout: This is the native prize of the area. They are opportunistic feeders but can be wary in the crystal-clear river stretches. They hold in the deeper pools of the river between the lakes and near the inlets where cold, oxygenated water enters.
- Brook Trout: Found in high concentrations, particularly in the smaller feeder creeks and the willow-lined banks of the upper reaches. They are aggressive and will often strike at anything that looks like a meal.
- Mountain Whitefish: Though often overlooked, they are plentiful and provide great action on nymphs in the faster runs.
Behavior: In the lakes, fish cruise the drop-offs and rocky shorelines. In the river sections, look for "dead water" behind boulders or deep undercut banks where the current slows down.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Summer (July – August): This is the prime window. The snowpack usually clears by early July. This is the peak of dry fly action and terrestrial season.
- Fall (September – Early October): My personal favorite time. The Brook Trout enter their spawning colors (vibrant oranges and reds), and the Cutthroat become aggressive before the winter freeze. The crowds thin out, and the mosquitoes disappear.
- Time of Day: Early morning (6 AM – 10 AM) offers the calmest lake surfaces for spotting rises. Evening "spinner falls" can be magical just before dusk.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Dries:
- Chubby Chernobyl (Size 10-14) in gold or purple—the ultimate searcher.
- Parachute Adams (Size 14-18) for technical river sections.
- Elk Hair Caddis (Size 14-16) for the evening hatch.
- Black Ants or Beetles (Size 16) for picky fish under willows.
- Nymphs:
- Bead-head Prince Nymph (Size 14-16).
- Pheasant Tail (Size 16-18).
- Flashback Hare's Ear (Size 14).
- Streamers:
- Woolly Buggers (Size 8-10) in Olive or Black—essential for the lakes.
Effective Techniques
- The Hopper-Dropper: In the river between the lakes, fish a Chubby Chernobyl with a 2-foot dropper to a Pheasant Tail. This covers both active surface feeders and those hugging the bottom.
- Stillwater Stripping: In the lakes, use a slow-sink line or a long leader on a floating line. Cast a Woolly Bugger toward submerged logs, let it sink, and use short, erratic strips.
- Dapping: The willows are thick. Sometimes the best way to catch a trophy Brookie is to "dap" a fly over the brush into a hidden pocket without letting your fly line touch the water.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The "In-Between" Stretch: Many people fish right by the parking lot. Hike the two miles to the Upper Green River Lake. The river section between the two lakes is often less pressured and holds the largest Cutthroats.
- Glacial Silt Factor: If the water looks "milky" due to glacial runoff, use fly patterns with a bit of flash (beads or tinsel) to help the fish track the fly in lower visibility.
- The Squaretop Shadow: As soon as the sun drops behind Squaretop Mountain, the temperature plunges and the "Evening Rise" begins. Be ready with a caddis pattern.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: The road from Pinedale (Hwy 352) is about 20 miles of pavement followed by 20 miles of washboard gravel. High clearance is recommended, though cars can make it if driven slowly.
- Regulations: A valid Wyoming Fishing License is required. Be sure to check the current Wyoming Game & Fish "Area 4" regulations, as there are specific creel limits for Cutthroat to preserve the wild population.
- Bear Safety: This is Grizzly Bear Country. You are required by law to store food properly. Always carry bear spray on your person (not in your pack) and know how to use it.
- Wading: The river is generally easy to wade, but the bottom can be "mucky" in the meadow sections. Stealth is more important than deep wading here.
Enjoy the "Green," it’s one of the last truly wild places left in the lower 48! Tight lines!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grey Drake Siphlonurus occidentalis | mayfly | June, July | Late Afternoon/Evening | #10-14 | Grey Drake Spinner #12-14, Hare's Ear Nymph #10-14, CDC Grey Drake #12 |
| Salmonfly Pteronarcys californica | stonefly | June, July | All Day | #2-8 | Sofa Pillow #6-8, Pat's Rubber Leg #4-8, Chubby Chernobyl (Orange) #6-10 |
| Callibaetis Callibaetis nigritus | mayfly | July, August | Late Morning/Early Afternoon | #14-16 | Callibaetis Cripple #14-16, Parachute Adams #14-18, Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-16 |
| Pale Morning Dun (PMD) Ephemerella excrucians | mayfly | July, August | Morning/Midday | #16-18 | PMD Sparkle Dun #16-18, Split Case PMD #16-18, RS2 (Yellow/Grey) #18 |
| Golden Stonefly Hesperoperla pacifica | stonefly | July | Afternoon | #8-12 | Golden Chubby Chernobyl #8-12, 20-Incher Stone #8-12, Rogue River Stone #10 |
| Blue Winged Olive (BWO) Baetis tricaudatus | mayfly | May, September, October | Midday | #18-22 | BWO Parachute #18-22, Barr's BWO Emerger #20-22, JujuBaetis #18-22 |
| Spotted Sedge Hydropsyche | caddis | July, August | Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis (Tan) #14-16, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-18, X-Caddis #16 |
| Terrestrials (Grasshoppers) Orthoptera | terrestrial | August, September | Midday/Afternoon | #8-14 | Morrish Hopper #8-12, Dave's Hopper #10-14, Fat Albert #8-12 |