Catfish Fishing Regulations in Wyoming: What Every Angler Needs to Know

Catfish may not be the first species that comes to mind when you think of Wyoming fishing, but the Cowboy State holds some surprisingly productive catfish water — particularly along the North Platte River corridor and its associated reservoirs. Whether you are a resident planning a summer evening session or a visiting angler looking to add a whiskerfish to your trip, understanding the rules before you hit the water is essential.

Wyoming’s fishing regulations are governed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) through Chapter 46, which establishes fishing season dates, locations, legal methods, creel limits, and limitations for all game fish species. This guide covers everything specific to catfish — from the species you will encounter to the best places to find them — based on 2026 regulations.

Pro Tip: Always carry a printed or digital copy of the current Chapter 46 regulations when you fish. Rules can vary significantly by drainage area and specific water body, so what applies at one reservoir may not apply at the next.

Catfish Species Found in Wyoming

Wyoming is not a catfish-heavy state by reputation, but two species have established themselves well enough to reward anglers who target them specifically. Both are found in the warmer, lower-elevation waters of the eastern and central portions of the state.

The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is the dominant catfish species in Wyoming waters. Channel catfish offer a hearty fishing experience and are common in the North Platte River and Glendo Reservoir, where they often grow to an average size of 15–20 inches, with larger fish sometimes exceeding 30 inches. Channel cats are the primary target for most Wyoming catfish anglers and can grow large enough to put up a serious fight on medium-weight tackle.

The second species you may encounter is the bullhead catfish (Ameiurus spp.), which includes both the black bullhead and yellow bullhead. Bullheads are smaller in size, averaging 8–12 inches, and offer an enjoyable experience for families or novice anglers. You can find them in many of the same habitats as channel catfish, with the added bonus that they tend to bite more readily.

It is worth noting that some of the fish species found in Wyoming waters include catfish alongside sunfish, yellow perch, crappie, walleye, bass, and trout. Catfish occupy a niche in the warmer, slower-moving sections of rivers and reservoirs rather than the cold, fast-moving trout streams Wyoming is more famous for. If you are comparing catfish opportunities across state lines, you can also explore catfish fishing regulations in Colorado or catfish fishing regulations in North Carolina for reference.

Catfish Season Dates in Wyoming

One of the most angler-friendly aspects of Wyoming’s catfish regulations is the open season structure. There are no creel or possession limits on nongame fish, and nongame fish may be taken by the use of legal fishing methods during any season open for the taking of game fish. Bullhead catfish fall into the nongame fish category in Wyoming, meaning they are available year-round wherever game fish seasons are open.

Channel catfish are classified as a game fish in Wyoming and are subject to the statewide game fish season framework. Updates to Wyoming Game and Fish’s Chapter 46 fishing regulations for 2026 took effect January 1. For most waters where channel catfish are present — particularly reservoirs and the North Platte River drainage — fishing is open throughout the calendar year, though specific water bodies may carry seasonal closures. Always check the Area Regulations for the specific drainage you plan to fish before heading out.

Important Note: Some Wyoming waters carry seasonal closures that are unrelated to catfish but will still prevent you from fishing them. For example, certain reservoirs in Area 5 (North Platte drainage) have specific closure periods. Verify the rules for your target water using the eRegulations 2026 statewide regulations page.

Summer brings longer days and warmer waters, making it ideal for exploring lakes and reservoirs. This is also the most productive window for catfish in Wyoming, as channel cats become more active when water temperatures climb into the 70s. Night fishing is particularly productive, as these fish are more active when it’s cooler out.

Daily Bag Limits for Catfish in Wyoming

Understanding how Wyoming classifies catfish is the key to knowing your bag limit. The two catfish species present in the state fall under different regulatory categories, and those categories determine how many fish you can keep.

Channel catfish, along with largemouth and smallmouth bass, carry a daily bag limit of 6 fish. This is the statewide creel limit for channel catfish as a game fish. Unless otherwise noted for a specific water, the daily creel limit in Wyoming is also the possession limit. This means no person may have in their possession more than the number and length of fish specified as the creel limit, and the law stipulates that the possession limit includes fish in transit or storage.

Bullhead catfish, classified as nongame fish, are treated differently. There are no creel or possession limits for nongame fish, except as otherwise provided in Area 4 for Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Nongame fish such as perch and bullhead carry a 50-fish daily limit under some interpretations in the literature, though the official Chapter 46 language specifies no limit for nongame fish outside of the Flaming Gorge exception. Confirm the current language in the official WGFD Chapter 46 document before your trip.

Species	Classification	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Channel Catfish	Game Fish	6	6 (same as daily)
Bullhead Catfish	Nongame Fish	No statewide limit*	No statewide limit*

*Except as otherwise specified for Flaming Gorge Reservoir (Area 4). Always verify with the official WGFD Chapter 46 regulations.

For comparison with how other states handle catfish limits, see our guides on catfish fishing regulations in Texas and catfish fishing regulations in Missouri, where catfish are managed as primary target species with their own dedicated frameworks.

Size and Length Limits for Catfish in Wyoming

Wyoming does not impose a statewide minimum size or length limit on channel catfish or bullhead catfish under the 2026 Chapter 46 regulations. This means you are not required to release undersized fish the way you might be in states with established slot or minimum-size rules for catfish.

That said, all fish possessed or transported must be kept in a manner that allows species and numbers to be determined. When length limits apply, the whole body must remain intact while in transit or in the field. Where length limits do not apply, a piece of skin large enough to allow species identification — at least one square inch — must remain on all fish fillets while in transit or in the field. Even without a length limit on catfish, you still need to keep enough of the fish intact for a warden to identify the species.

Fish length in Wyoming is measured from the snout to the end of the tail with the tail fin pinched together. This is the standard measurement method used for all species, including catfish, should any size-based rules apply to a specific water body you are fishing.

Pro Tip: Even though no statewide size limit exists for catfish, practicing voluntary catch-and-release on large channel cats — especially fish over 24 inches — helps sustain trophy-class fish in Wyoming’s limited catfish waters.

If you fish for catfish in neighboring states and want to compare size limit approaches, check out catfish fishing regulations in Minnesota or catfish fishing regulations in Indiana for contrast.

Legal Methods for Catching Catfish in Wyoming

Wyoming allows a range of fishing methods for catfish, and the rules differ slightly depending on whether you are targeting channel catfish (game fish) or bullhead catfish (nongame fish). Understanding those distinctions will keep you on the right side of the law.

For channel catfish, standard hook-and-line fishing is the primary legal method. The use of more than two lines is permitted only during the ice-covered period, when the angler is fishing through the ice, and the maximum number of lines shall not exceed six at any time. When using more than two lines, the angler’s name must be attached to each line, pole, or tip-up, and the angler must remain no more than 300 yards from all lines.

Bait choice is a significant part of catfish fishing, and Wyoming gives you solid options. Internal organs, eggs, eyes, fins, and skin of game fish are the only portions that may be legally used as bait; any part of a nongame fish may be used as bait. Channel catfish have a keen sense of smell, so they respond well to stink baits, liver, and nightcrawlers. Cut bait from nongame fish — such as carp or suckers — is a popular and legal option on many Wyoming waters.

• Rod and reel (standard hook-and-line) — legal statewide
• Up to 2 lines simultaneously when not ice fishing
• Up to 6 lines during ice fishing, with name tag on each line
• Stink bait, liver, nightcrawlers, and cut nongame fish as bait
• Corn as bait — corn may be possessed and used as bait in all waters where fishing with bait is permitted
• Artificial lures and scent-enhanced baits where bait is not restricted

There are a few important prohibitions to keep in mind. It is unlawful to snag fish. It is also unlawful to release fish alive that have been placed on a stringer, in a container, or in a live well without written approval from the Department. Planting or releasing live fish or fish eggs without Department consent is prohibited, though this does not include fish captured by legal means and released immediately upon capture.

For nongame fish like bullhead catfish, the rules are somewhat more flexible. It is legal to take nongame fish with archery equipment without a license or permit, but it is always unlawful to take game fish with archery equipment. This means bowfishing is a legal option for bullheads in Wyoming.

To see how Wyoming’s legal methods compare with other states, browse our guide on catfish fishing regulations in Ohio or catfish fishing regulations in Illinois.

Fishing License Requirements for Catfish in Wyoming

A valid Wyoming fishing license is required to fish for catfish in the state. Before one can fish in Wyoming, a fishing license is required, and securing one is quite easy — online or from any approved fishing license agent in the locality. Licenses are sold through the WGFD licenses and applications portal as well as at sporting goods retailers and bait shops across the state.

License costs as of 2026 include a $27.00 resident 12-month fishing license (plus conservation stamp) and a $102.00 nonresident 12-month fishing license. These figures are sourced from Wyoming Game and Fish / eRegulations 2026 materials updated as of May 2026.

Resident youth under 14 do not need a license; nonresident youth under 14 may fish under accompanying licensed adult rules. This makes catfish an especially accessible target for families introducing younger anglers to the sport, since bullheads in particular are easy to catch and do not require a license for children under 14.

One notable date for budget-conscious anglers: Free Fishing Day on June 6, 2026, invites families and friends to enjoy fishing in Wyoming without a license, while following all fishing regulations, creel limits, gear restrictions, and stream closures. All other regulations — including bag limits and legal methods — still apply on Free Fishing Day.

There is also a reciprocal stamp arrangement worth knowing if you fish near the Utah border. A person possessing a valid Utah resident fishing license and a valid Wyoming reciprocal fishing stamp may fish in the Wyoming portions of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The fee for a Wyoming reciprocal stamp is $30.

For a side-by-side look at how license requirements compare in neighboring states, see our articles on catfish fishing regulations in Arizona and fly fishing regulations in Wyoming.

Best Catfish Fishing Spots in Wyoming

Wyoming’s catfish fishery is concentrated in the eastern half of the state, where lower elevations, warmer water temperatures, and slower-moving river sections create the habitat channel cats and bullheads prefer. These are the waters most worth your time.

Glendo Reservoir (Platte County) is consistently regarded as one of Wyoming’s top catfish destinations. Glendo Reservoir is a walleye and catfish fishing haven, and the reservoir’s peaceful prairie setting offers both shore and boat fishing options. The reservoir sits along the North Platte River drainage and provides easy access from the town of Glendo. Shore anglers do well here with cut bait fished on the bottom near creek channel inflows.

North Platte River is the backbone of Wyoming’s catfish fishery. Channel catfish are common in the North Platte River, where they often grow to an average size of 15–20 inches. The stretch of river running through Goshen, Platte, and Converse counties holds the most consistent catfish populations. Bank fishing with stink bait or chicken liver after dark produces well throughout the summer months. Note that certain sections of the North Platte carry special tackle restrictions — for example, new rules for 2026 require the use of single-point, barbless hooks on the high-traffic stretches below Seminoe Reservoir, covering the Miracle Mile, Alcova Afterbay, Gray Reef, and Fremont Canyon areas. These restrictions primarily affect trout anglers, but verify the rules for your specific section before fishing.

Alcova Reservoir (Natrona County) is another productive option. Alcova Reservoir in Natrona County Park is one of Wyoming’s hot fishing spots. The reservoir warms well in summer and holds channel catfish along its rocky shorelines and deeper channel areas. It is also a popular walleye and kokanee salmon destination, so you may find yourself targeting multiple species in a single outing.

Pathfinder Reservoir and Seminoe Reservoir, both in Carbon County along the North Platte drainage, offer additional catfish opportunities. Pathfinder and Seminoe reservoirs have very low storage levels as of spring 2026 due to low runoff, which will impact boating access, though fish populations are expected to remain stable. Shore fishing remains viable, and low water can actually concentrate catfish in predictable areas near remaining deep holes.

Boysen Reservoir (Fremont County) on the Wind River drainage is worth noting as well. The reservoir’s warmer summer temperatures and abundant forage fish support a resident catfish population. It is less well-known as a catfish destination than Glendo but can produce solid catches during summer evenings.

Pro Tip: On any Wyoming reservoir, catfish tend to hold near submerged structure — old creek channels, rock piles, and points where depth changes quickly. Fish the bottom with a slip-sinker rig and scented bait after sunset for the best results during summer months.

If you are planning a multi-state catfish trip through the region, our guides on catfish fishing regulations in Michigan, catfish fishing regulations in Wisconsin, and catfish fishing regulations in Virginia can help you plan ahead.

Final Thoughts on Wyoming Catfish Regulations

Wyoming may be known primarily for its blue-ribbon trout streams and high-country lakes, but its channel catfish fishery — especially along the North Platte corridor — offers a rewarding alternative for anglers who enjoy warm-water species. The regulations are relatively straightforward: channel catfish carry a 6-fish daily bag limit with no statewide size minimum, bullheads are nongame fish with no statewide limit, and a standard Wyoming fishing license covers you for both.

Always verify current regulations before fishing, as regulations change frequently. Visit the official Wyoming Game and Fish Department website for the most up-to-date rules, emergency closures, and special regulations. The 2026 Chapter 46 document is available directly from wgfd.wyo.gov and through the eRegulations Wyoming fishing portal. Cross-checking both sources before each trip is the best way to stay compliant and make the most of your time on the water.