Fishing Wiki - Buffalo-Bill-Reservoir

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Current Conditions (Edit This)
If you know what conditions are like right now, please post info here.

Guides (Edit This)
North Fork Anglers

Nearby Lodges (Edit This)
The Irma Hotel

Description (Edit This)

Named after Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, the reservoir spans 8,000 acres.  The dam was completed 100 years ago and was one of the first high concrete dams in the country.  Since its inception, anglers have been reaping the rewards.  The reservoir receives a daily influx of water from the North and South Forks of the Shoshone River.  There is good access to the reservoir thanks to some shoreline roads and a total of three boat ramps.  The large, flat water affords many recreational opportunities including windsurfing, boating and sightseeing, among others.  Of course, anglers who know its bounty look to do only one thing on the lake – catch big fish.  And they are rarely disappointed.

Teddy Roosevelt once described the North Fork as 50 miles of the most scenic land in America.  The reservoir, too, is bordered by epic mountains and big sky.  It would be hard to find a more beautiful body of water.  The breathtaking scenery coupled with outstanding fishing makes Buffalo Bill Reservoir a must-fish.

Location (Edit This)
The reservoir is less than an hour’s drive from the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park and about eight miles west of the city of Cody.  Route 14 takes drivers through a series of tunnels just before reaching the dam and the front of the reservoir.   There’s also a visitor’s center, which first opened in May of 1993.  During the warmer months, its parking lot is always filled with eager tourists.  The dam itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Primary Species (Edit This)
The catch includes whitefish, lake trout, browns, rainbows, cutthroat and cuttbows.  To Eastern anglers, the cuttbows will be a pleasant surprise.  These fish are the result of a spawning pair of cutthroat and rainbow.  Their acrobats when hooked are unparalleled.  Fish that appear silver or chrome are generally cuttbows, they lose most distinctive marks in the open water of the reservoir.  Most of these fish measure in pounds, not inches.  The lake trout will be the biggest, the whitefish the smallest.

Special Regulations (Edit This)
It’s best to consult the local fishing shop, North Fork Anglers in Cody, WY, for the latest regulations.  The lower part of the North Fork is closed to fishing all the way up to Newton Creek from April 1 to July 1.  This is to protect the spawning fish.  The creel limit on the reservoir is four fish per day, with only one exceeding 20 inches.  June 5, 2010, and June 4, 2011, will be free fishing days in the state of Wyoming – no license needed. A non-resident daily license costs the angler $14.00.

Seasonal Factors (Edit This)
Winter anglers will find it tough to bear the cold with temps reaching the negatives.   Similarly, a crystal clear day in mid-summer will feel scorching thanks to the high elevation and low humidity.  Anglers should dress accordingly.  Expect the fish to be sluggish from November to March.  Throughout the summer months, the spawning fish return to the reservoir as the North Fork’s water levels decrease.  That’s when the fishing really turns on.

Lures and Techniques (Edit This)
The inlets are hotspots for anglers and fish alike.  Anglers are advised to bring a wide array of options to the reservoir, topped off with classics like Panther Martins and Rapalas.  Color schemes vary of course, but lures with a hint of orange seem to produce well most of the time.  This is probably due to the high number of cutthroats and rainbows in the lake.  On a typical day, the passerby sees anglers trolling crankbaits, spinners, and spoons.  Fly anglers will come equipped with sinking line, heavy rods, and big streamers.  The proper depth will change daily due to wind, sun, and other environmental factors.  Generally, the deeper the hook, the likelihood of hooking a lake trout increases.

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