Horseshoe Reservoir fishing

Fishing at Horseshoe Reservoir is on a reservoir, stocked with Hybrid Sunfish, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Bluegill. It is stocked about 3.7 times a year since 2010, most often in October and December. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill.

Last stocked

December 1, 2025

Plants on record

59

Since 2010

Species recorded

4

Average size

9.4 in

Elevation

3,724 ft

Access and facts

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

Horseshoe Bend is a marina and boat-launch area on the south end of Bighorn Lake in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, reached from Lovell. Horseshoe Bend Campground sits alongside it. No park entrance fee has been charged since the fee program was suspended in 2018.

Sources: water_type , access.boat_ramp , access.fee , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities

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How Horseshoe Reservoir is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of April. In 2025 it was May 1, 2025, later than usual.

Deaver Reservoir (18.5 mi) and Lick Creek (31.6 mi) were stocked more recently. Deaver Reservoir is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout and Lick Creek is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout.

Fish at Horseshoe Reservoir

Fishing Horseshoe Reservoir is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 40 of 59 plants on record, ahead of Hybrid Sunfish and 2 more.

Rainbow Trout 40 plants
Plants
40 of 59
Last stocked
December 1, 2025
Average length
11.7 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Hybrid Sunfish 11 plants
Plants
11 of 59
Last stocked
October 1, 2021
Average length
2.2 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Hybrid Sunfish guide.

Bluegill 4 plants
Plants
4 of 59
Last stocked
October 1, 2025
Average length
1.8 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Bluegill guide.

Cutthroat Trout 4 plants
Plants
4 of 59
Last stocked
May 1, 2025
Average length
13.5 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Cutthroat Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 17,2122010
  • 13,6952011
  • 15,0152012
  • 1,4252013
  • 15,1152014
  • 15,8402015
  • 19,1772016
  • 16,0412017
  • 15,1192018
  • 14,5342019
  • 17,6562020
  • 15,8292021
  • 13,1902022
  • 15,1772023
  • 14,0422024
  • 14,6942025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 59 plants Showing 59 plants

Source: Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
December 1, 2025 Rainbow Trout 501 14.3 in report
October 1, 2025 Bluegill 14,058 1.7 in report
May 1, 2025 Cutthroat Trout 135 16.8 in report
December 1, 2024 Rainbow Trout 458 14.4 in report
October 1, 2024 Rainbow Trout 550 8.1 in report
October 1, 2024 Bluegill 13,034 2 in report
December 1, 2023 Rainbow Trout 527 14.3 in report
October 1, 2023 Bluegill 14,070 2.2 in report
September 1, 2023 Cutthroat Trout 580 10.5 in report
December 1, 2022 Rainbow Trout 552 14.6 in report
November 1, 2022 Rainbow Trout 498 7.9 in report
October 1, 2022 Bluegill 12,000 1.4 in report
May 1, 2022 Cutthroat Trout 140 15.3 in report
October 1, 2021 Rainbow Trout 529 8.1 in report
October 1, 2021 Hybrid Sunfish 15,300 2 in report
December 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 549 14 in report
October 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 504 8.2 in report
October 1, 2020 Hybrid Sunfish 15,408 2.1 in report
April 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 900 8.2 in report
April 1, 2020 Cutthroat Trout 295 11.2 in report
October 1, 2019 Hybrid Sunfish 13,984 1.9 in report
September 1, 2019 Rainbow Trout 550 10 in report
October 1, 2018 Hybrid Sunfish 13,992 2.2 in report
September 1, 2018 Rainbow Trout 623 11.6 in report
April 1, 2018 Rainbow Trout 504 7.4 in report
October 1, 2017 Rainbow Trout 1,141 10.7 in report
October 1, 2017 Hybrid Sunfish 13,999 2.2 in report
March 1, 2017 Rainbow Trout 450 8.3 in report
February 1, 2017 Rainbow Trout 451 10.1 in report
October 1, 2016 Hybrid Sunfish 18,180 1.6 in report
September 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 502 10.1 in report
March 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 495 12.2 in report
December 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 277 15.5 in report
November 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 223 15.5 in report
October 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 370 10 in report
October 1, 2015 Hybrid Sunfish 14,070 1.9 in report
September 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 450 9.8 in report
March 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 450 12 in report
December 1, 2014 Rainbow Trout 500 16.5 in report
October 1, 2014 Hybrid Sunfish 13,142 3.8 in report
September 1, 2014 Rainbow Trout 500 10.4 in report
April 1, 2014 Rainbow Trout 240 8.6 in report
March 1, 2014 Rainbow Trout 260 11.8 in report
February 1, 2014 Rainbow Trout 109 11.8 in report
January 1, 2014 Rainbow Trout 364 16.4 in report
October 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 405 11.1 in report
April 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 500 8.1 in report
February 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 238 13.5 in report
January 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 282 17.1 in report
October 1, 2012 Hybrid Sunfish 13,965 2 in report
September 1, 2012 Rainbow Trout 300 9.4 in report
March 1, 2012 Rainbow Trout 714 8.4 in report
January 1, 2012 Rainbow Trout 36 15.4 in report
December 1, 2011 Rainbow Trout 314 17.9 in report
October 1, 2011 Hybrid Sunfish 12,036 2.7 in report
September 1, 2011 Rainbow Trout 540 11.1 in report
April 1, 2011 Rainbow Trout 805 8.9 in report
December 1, 2010 Rainbow Trout 252 16 in report
October 1, 2010 Hybrid Sunfish 16,960 1.5 in report
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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