Big Sandy Reservoir fishing

Fishing at Big Sandy Reservoir is on a reservoir, stocked with Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, Cutthroat Trout, Bluegill, and Ling. It is stocked about 2.9 times a year since 2012, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and Bluegill, dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, and dusk and night for Channel Catfish.

Last stocked

May 1, 2026

Plants on record

43

Since 2012

Species recorded

5

Average size

4.6 in

Surface acres

2,500

Elevation

6,769 ft

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Farson, WY
Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
No
Facilities
camping

Bureau of Reclamation reservoir about 15 miles north of Farson via US-191, with a boat ramp and primitive camping; no fees for launching, camping, or picnicking. Access roads may need 4WD in bad weather.

Sources: water_type , access.boat_ramp , access.fee , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , speciesFound , fishing_notes , fishing_notes , watch_outs

View larger map ยท Open on Google Maps

How Big Sandy Reservoir is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of May. In 2026 it was April 1, 2026, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 2021.

Aspen Creek (26.4 mi), Tayo Lake (33.8 mi), and Christina Lake (34 mi) were stocked more recently. Aspen Creek is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout.

Fish at Big Sandy Reservoir

Fishing Big Sandy Reservoir is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 18 of 43 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout and 3 more.

Rainbow Trout 18 plants
Plants
18 of 43
Last stocked
May 1, 2026
Average length
5.9 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Brown Trout 16 plants
Plants
16 of 43
Last stocked
May 1, 2026
Average length
3.4 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Bluegill 4 plants
Plants
4 of 43
Last stocked
October 1, 2025
Average length
1.8 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Bluegill guide.

Channel Catfish 4 plants
Plants
4 of 43
Last stocked
April 1, 2026
Average length
5.1 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Channel Catfish guide.

Cutthroat Trout 1 plant
Plants
1 of 43
Last stocked
April 1, 2022
Average length
8.2 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Cutthroat Trout guide.

Fishing Big Sandy Reservoir

Big Sandy Reservoir offers fishing recreation with primitive facilities. Anglers can target brown trout, cutthroat trout, catfish, and ling in the reservoir. Big Sandy Reservoir is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation and is located near Farson, Wyoming.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org , recreation.gov

What to watch for

The site has primitive facilities and no on-site manager or law enforcement, so use is at your own risk. The county road is not maintained and may require 4-wheel drive vehicles in periods of heavy rain or snow.

Fish stocked per year

  • 23,6232012
  • 45,1072013
  • 23,8812014
  • 45,0052015
  • 31,5692016
  • 34,6432017
  • 14,8922018
  • 40,5472019
  • 29,9052020
  • 79,1332022
  • 67,0892023
  • 69,2522024
  • 78,5452025
  • 41,6252026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 43 plants Showing 43 plants

Source: Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 1, 2026 Rainbow Trout 11,700 8.2 in report
May 1, 2026 Brown Trout 1,915 4.2 in report
April 1, 2026 Channel Catfish 5,400 5.6 in report
April 1, 2026 Brown Trout 22,610 3.8 in report
October 1, 2025 Bluegill 22,000 1.6 in report
June 1, 2025 Rainbow Trout 7,000 4.1 in report
May 1, 2025 Rainbow Trout 22,540 3.8 in report
May 1, 2025 Channel Catfish 4,395 4.9 in report
May 1, 2025 Brown Trout 22,610 3.7 in report
October 1, 2024 Bluegill 20,003 2 in report
May 1, 2024 Rainbow Trout 22,505 3.9 in report
May 1, 2024 Brown Trout 21,004 3.2 in report
April 1, 2024 Channel Catfish 5,740 4.6 in report
October 1, 2023 Bluegill 22,050 2.2 in report
May 1, 2023 Rainbow Trout 22,489 3.9 in report
May 1, 2023 Brown Trout 22,550 3.3 in report
October 1, 2022 Bluegill 22,575 1.4 in report
August 1, 2022 Rainbow Trout 2,750 6.1 in report
May 1, 2022 Rainbow Trout 7,802 6.7 in report
May 1, 2022 Rainbow Trout 18,876 4.2 in report
April 1, 2022 Cutthroat Trout 2,810 8.2 in report
April 1, 2022 Channel Catfish 1,500 5.2 in report
April 1, 2022 Brown Trout 22,820 3.3 in report
June 1, 2020 Brown Trout 7,218 3.2 in report
May 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 8,127 8.3 in report
May 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 14,560 5.1 in report
June 1, 2019 Rainbow Trout 20,252 4.4 in report
June 1, 2019 Brown Trout 20,295 3.5 in report
June 1, 2018 Rainbow Trout 7,700 7.9 in report
June 1, 2018 Brown Trout 7,192 4 in report
June 1, 2017 Rainbow Trout 10,005 4.4 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 24,638 3 in report
June 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 2,730 7.2 in report
May 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 9,009 7.7 in report
May 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 8,816 8.7 in report
May 1, 2016 Brown Trout 11,014 2.7 in report
September 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 2,835 6.5 in report
May 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 21,900 4.4 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 20,270 3.4 in report
July 1, 2014 Brown Trout 12,905 3 in report
June 1, 2014 Brown Trout 10,976 2.9 in report
August 1, 2013 Brown Trout 45,107 4.9 in report
June 1, 2012 Brown Trout 23,623 2.5 in report
Show 28 more plants Show less

Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

  • Ling : Listed as a resident fish species alongside brown trout, cutthroat trout, and catfish; not part of the tracked stocking history for this lake. (source)

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes