Shovelnose Sturgeon Stocked · 8 plants · last September 2020
Last stocked September 2020 · avg 4.4 in · 8 plants
Bighorn Lake fishing
Bighorn Lake fishing: not stocked since September 2020. It was stocked with Shovelnose Sturgeon on a reservoir. Also recorded: Walleye, Sauger, Yellow Perch, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Common Carp, and 5 more. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Crappie, dawn, day, dusk, and night for Sauger, and dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch and Brown Trout.
- Last stocked
- September 2020
- Shovelnose Sturgeon
- Plants on record
- 8
- Since 2012
- Species stocked
- 1 (+11 also recorded)
- Average size
- 4.4 in
- Elevation
- 3,636 ft
Fish at Bighorn Lake
Walleye Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Walleye species guide
Sauger Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk, night Best: dawn, day, dusk, night
Sauger species guide
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guide
Brown Trout Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Brown Trout species guide
Rainbow Trout Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Rainbow Trout species guide
Common Carp Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Common Carp species guide
Channel Catfish Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Channel Catfish species guide
Burbot (Ling) Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Burbot (Ling) species guide
Smallmouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Smallmouth Bass species guide
Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Crappie species guide
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass species guideBighorn Lake supports a warmwater fishery, and its streamflow is relatively stable with little daily fluctuation. The reservoir, with a surface area of 5574 acres, stretches the entire 72 miles length of the Bighorn Canyon at full pool. It was created by the 1965 construction of Yellowtail Dam on the Bighorn River near Fort Smith, Montana. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Bighorn Lake is stocked
No plants recorded in 2013 and 2019.
Fish stocked in 2012
1,147
Fish stocked in 2014
5,308
Fish stocked in 2015
31,215
Fish stocked in 2016
14,855
Fish stocked in 2017
9,780
Fish stocked in 2018
7,637
Fish stocked in 2020
4,982
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2020 | Shovelnose Sturgeon | 4,982 | 5.3 in | report |
| September 2018 | Shovelnose Sturgeon | 7,637 | 4.9 in | report |
| September 2017 | Shovelnose Sturgeon | 9,780 | 4.8 in | report |
| September 2016 | Shovelnose Sturgeon | 14,855 | 4.9 in | report |
| September 2015 | Shovelnose Sturgeon | 9,135 | 5.5 in | report |
| July 2015 | Shovelnose Sturgeon | 22,080 | 0.8 in | report |
| October 2014 | Shovelnose Sturgeon | 5,308 | 5.5 in | report |
| September 2012 | Shovelnose Sturgeon | 1,147 | 3.6 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- reservoir
- Nearest town
- Lovell, WY
- Shore access
- Yes
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- ADA accessible
- Yes
- Fee required
- No
- Facilities
- dock, camping
The Wyoming end is reached from Lovell. Boat ramps sit at Kane, Horseshoe Bend, and Barry's Landing, with a marina at Horseshoe Bend. The NPS counts over 50 miles of reachable shoreline on the Wyoming end, close to roads. No entrance pass is needed; fees were suspended in 2018.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Wyoming Game and Fish Department before you go.
About Bighorn Lake
Nearest lakes
Public land at Bighorn Lake
Bighorn Lake is less than 0.1 miles outside the edge of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.
Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.
Common questions
What fish are at Bighorn Lake?
Fishing Bighorn Lake usually means Shovelnose Sturgeon. All 8 plants on record are Shovelnose Sturgeon. Shovelnose Sturgeon was last stocked September 2020, averaging 4.4 in. Walleye, Sauger, Yellow Perch, and Brown Trout, plus 7 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Bighorn Lake stocked?
Not stocked since September 2020. No plants recorded in 2013 and 2019.
How big are the fish stocked at Bighorn Lake?
Shovelnose Sturgeon stocked at Bighorn Lake average 4.4 in.
How do you get on Bighorn Lake?
Shore fishing is available, there is a boat ramp, it is ADA accessible, and no fee is required. The nearest town is Lovell, WY. Facilities include dock and camping. The Wyoming end is reached from Lovell. Boat ramps sit at Kane, Horseshoe Bend, and Barry's Landing, with a marina at Horseshoe Bend. The NPS counts over 50 miles of reachable shoreline on the Wyoming end, close to roads. No entrance pass is needed; fees were suspended in 2018.
Which lakes near Bighorn Lake were stocked more recently?
Horseshoe Reservoir (4.4 mi), Big Wash (13.9 mi), Deaver Reservoir (22.3 mi), Lick Creek (28.3 mi), and Lake Creek (29.3 mi) were stocked more recently.