North Platte River

About North Platte River

The North Platte River is central Wyoming's only floatable waterway, a large system stretching 716 miles from its headwaters in the high Rocky Mountains of Jackson County, Colorado, through Wyoming, and into Nebraska. This Class 1 blue ribbon fishery offers diverse angling environments. Sections like Saratoga provide true freestone fly fishing, characterized by natural flows and varied river bottom structure. Further downstream, the river carves through dramatic canyons, including Northgate and Fremont Canyons, where the water can run deep and swift, offering different challenges and opportunities. Key sections like Grey Reef and Miracle Mile are well-known for their consistent fishing. Access to the North Platte River varies significantly by location. While some stretches are readily accessible for wade fishing, other sections are only reachable by boat, requiring anglers to utilize drift boat rentals or shuttle services. The river's character shifts from open, wader-friendly areas to deep canyon runs, influencing how you approach the water. Picnicking and camping opportunities are available along its banks, and for those seeking more comfort, lodging and cabins are situated directly on the river, providing convenient access to prime fishing areas. Understanding these access points and the river's visual character, from freestone riffles to canyon pools, is key to planning your day. The North Platte River is home to a robust population of game fish, including rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout. It is particularly renowned for its trophy brown trout, which are a primary target for many anglers. Float fishing is a popular and common method here, allowing anglers to cover significant water and access areas unreachable by foot. Wade fishing is equally common in suitable sections, providing a more intimate experience with the river. Anglers specifically targeting those large brown trout should focus on deeper runs, undercut banks, and structure where these fish often hold. A notable event on the North Platte is the post-runoff salmon fly hatch that occurs in the Saratoga section. During this time, large dry flies imitating these insects can be highly effective. When the salmon flies are active, present large stonefly patterns close to the banks, especially near willows and overhanging vegetation, where the bugs often fall into the water. But don't sleep on the other hatches in the year, Caddis, PMD, and Trico's create plenty of fun feeding opportunities. For other times, or when targeting fish not actively feeding on the surface, focus on subsurface presentations. Heavy nymphs or streamers fished deep, especially in the seams and current breaks of the Grey Reef and Miracle Mile sections, will entice the river's trophy browns and rainbows. Always carry a net with a long handle to safely land and release the larger fish this river is known for.