New Fork River Fishing Guides
The largest tributary of the upper Green, draining the western Wind River Range past Pinedale with big brown trout in the lower meadows and a float season tied to snowmelt.
Guides on the New Fork River
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About the New Fork River
The New Fork is the largest tributary of the upper Green River and one of the better trout floats in a part of Wyoming that has plenty of competition. It gathers the western drainage of the Wind River Range, running out of the New Fork Lakes above Pinedale and down through the sage benches and willow meadows of Sublette County before joining the Green below Big Piney. The Wind Rivers are high and hold snow late, so the river runs cold and full well into the summer, long after lower-elevation water has dropped.
Brown trout are the fish the river is known for, and the lower meadow reaches above the Green confluence hold them in sizes that justify a trip. Rainbow trout are well distributed, cutthroat and cuttbow hybrids are present particularly in the upper river and the tributaries, brook trout occupy the smaller headwaters, and mountain whitefish are abundant throughout and far more willing than most anglers give them credit for. The character of the river changes markedly along its length: faster and rockier up near Pinedale, slower and deeper through the meadows, with undercut banks and willow cover that reward careful casting.
The gauge near Big Piney reports discharge and stage, and on a snowmelt river it is the most important number in planning a trip. Runoff peaks in late May and June, when the river is high, cold and brown and effectively unfishable; it drops into shape through July and holds a good level into October. Much of the river runs through private ranchland, so public access is concentrated at bridges and state land and is worth confirming before setting out. Guided float trips out of Pinedale run through the summer and into October, and a guide is worth the money here mainly for knowing which of the meadow channels is carrying fish in a given week.
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Access
Big Piney - the gauge town on the lower river, closest to the meadow reaches that hold the largest brown trout.
Pinedale - the main town of the valley, with services and access to the upper river and the lakes.
Boulder - a village between Pinedale and Big Piney with bridge access to the middle river.
New Fork Lakes - the headwater lakes above Pinedale, where the river begins.
Green River confluence - the downstream limit below Big Piney, where the New Fork enters the Green.
Daniel - a nearby village on the Green, useful as an alternative when the New Fork is still in runoff.
Sublette County bridges - the principal public access points, as much of the valley bottom is private ranchland.
Seasons
Spring: snowmelt runoff dominates from late May into June, with the river high, cold and discoloured and little worth fishing until it drops.
Summer: the main season, with the river dropping into shape through July and holding good cold flows into August as the Wind Rivers release their snow.
Fall: the best fishing of the year, with brown trout aggressive ahead of spawning, settled flows and very light pressure.
Winter: cold, low and largely iced in the meadow reaches, with access roads often the limiting factor.
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Questions
What is the current flow on the New Fork River?
As of Nov 2, 7:00 am, the USGS gauge NEW FORK RIVER NEAR BIG PINEY, WY reads 501 cfs. Conditions update every 15 minutes.
What species can you catch on the New Fork River?
Anglers target Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Common Carp, Cuttbow, Cutthroat Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout on the New Fork River in Wyoming.
Where can you access the New Fork River?
Big Piney - the gauge town on the lower river, closest to the meadow reaches that hold the largest brown trout. Pinedale - the main town of the valley, with services and access to the upper river and the lakes. Boulder - a village between Pinedale and Big Piney with bridge access to the middle river. New Fork Lakes - the headwater lakes above Pinedale, where the river begins. Green River confluence - the downstream limit below Big Piney, where the New Fork enters the Green. Daniel - a nearby village on the Green, useful as an alternative when the New Fork is still in runoff. Sublette County br...
When is the best time to fish the New Fork River?
Spring: snowmelt runoff dominates from late May into June, with the river high, cold and discoloured and little worth fishing until it drops. Summer: the main season, with the river dropping into shape through July and holding good cold flows into August as the Wind Rivers release their snow. Fall: the best fishing of the year, with brown trout aggressive ahead of spawning, settled flows and very light pressure. Winter: cold, low and largely iced in the meadow reaches, with access roads often the limiting factor.
Where are the fishing regulations for the New Fork River?
Regulations change by season and section. Read the current rules on the Wyoming agency site: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/regulations