From Wyoming Game & Fish
Fishing Boysen Reservoir can always be interesting because you’ll never know what kind of fish you’re going to catch next.
There are 12 different game fish species that you can catch in Boysen Reservoir. Sauger, ling, channel catfish and stone catfish are native to the Wind River. Walleye, yellow perch, black crappie and rainbow trout are popular non-native fish that were introduced in Boysen Reservoir many years ago.
The Wyoming Game & Fish Department stocks rainbow trout and channel catfish in Boysen Reservoir. All other fish exist through natural reproduction.
Rainbow trout in Boysen Reservoir grow exceptionally well and obtain a larger size, on average, than other large reservoirs and lakes in Wyoming. We hope anglers recognize the value of this trout fishery. The Wyoming Game & Fish Department manages the revenue generated from license fees the best we can. The way we justify trout stocking is by the return of trout to anglers. We need anglers to fish for trout at Boysen Reservoir to justify continuing the stocking program.
Channel catfish are native to the Wind/ Bighorn River. Stocking of channel catfish was initiated in 1995. Besides rainbow trout, few other game fish are caught from shore. We put channel catfish in Boysen Reservoir to enhance shore fishing opportunities, especially in the turbid upper reservoir region. Anglers are attracted to the channel catfish, especially since a few 10 to 15 pound catfish have been caught. We don’t know how large they will get in Boysen Reservoir. Catfish live to 15 to 20 years of age in Wyoming. As of 2004, channel catfish are less than 9 years of age in Boysen Reservoir.
Walleye, sauger, yellow perch and crappie are the fish anglers seem to be seeking. Populations for these species are typically cyclic, not only in Boysen Reservoir, but across the country. Currently we are seeing a decreasing abundance of walleye and sauger.
The reason(s) for the decrease are usually driven by environmental factors but also can be influenced by biological factors, such as abundance of predators. Walleye tend to become more abundant when Boysen Reservoir fills. Flooded vegetation provides nursery habitat (protection and food) for young fish. It also leads to increased production of forage for the reservoir referred to as the “new reservoir effect”.
During drought years, the shoreline recedes from the important refuge and young fish as well as forage fish become the target of predation. It becomes difficult for young walleye to survive even though reproduction is successful.
During the drought, the shoreline re-vegetates setting up for good walleye production. Juvenile yellow perch and black crappie have an increased chance of surviving when walleye abundance is low. That is part of the reason that anglers are catching more yellow perch and black crappie compared to a few years ago.
Most anglers recognize that Boysen Reservoir lacks good crappie habitat. There are many adult crappie but where do you find them? We have recently worked with the Wyoming Department of Transportation to recommend placing tree structures to mitigate for one of the State’s highway projects. The location is just south of Tough Creek in the first small bay. Give this area a try the next time you look for crappie.