Encampment River
Clear, cool water with browns down low, rainbows in the middle and brook trout up high. No stocking, all wild fish.
- 3Game fish
- 9Access points
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Encampment River
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About the Encampment
Outside of snowmelt runoff, which runs from mid-May into early July, the Encampment is remarkably clear and cool.
Near the lower end, about a mile south and west of the town of Encampment, brown trout rule and some top 18 inches. Farther upstream there are more rainbows, and higher still brook trout make up a big share of the fish. Nothing is stocked here. The riffles and flows produce all the fish the river needs.
The water stays cooler than more open streams, so fishing can hold up most of the day in summer. Most anglers release what they catch. Notes from Wyoming Game and Fish.
Encampment River above Hog Park Creek, near Encampment, WY
Is the Encampment fishing today?
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Nearby gages
- Little Snake River near Slater, CO18.2 mi away Not reporting USGS 09253000
- North Platte River near Northgate, CO23.9 mi away Not reporting USGS 06620000
- Slater Fork near Slater, CO30.7 mi away Not reporting USGS 09255000
- Yampa River below Soda Creek at Steamboat Springs, CO34.1 mi away Not reporting USGS 09240020
- Yampa River at Steamboat Springs, CO34.5 mi away Not reporting USGS 09239500
- Elkhead Creek above Long Gulch, near Hayden, CO38.5 mi away Not reporting USGS 09246200
- Yampa River above Elkhead Creek near Hayden, CO45.0 mi away Not reporting USGS 09244490
- Elkhead Creek near Craig, CO45.8 mi away Not reporting USGS 09246500
No gages that close. Try a wider radius.
See every gage on the map and today's top 10 rivers in the free appData from the U.S. Geological Survey. Recent readings are provisional and may be revised.
Fish you'll catch
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Hatching in November
What's on the water in the North Platte watershed this month, and the fly to match.
All 11 hatches this year
Light bars show the season and dark bars the peak. The ringed month is this month.
Tips for fishing the Encampment
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Wait out runoff
Snowmelt runs from mid-May into early July. Once it drops, the water clears fast.
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Start with an attractor
Elk Hair Caddis, Adams and Humpys are good first flies. The best pattern can change day to day.
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Fish the middle of the day
The water stays cool, so summer fishing can last most of the day here, not just mornings and evenings.
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Pick a species by elevation
Fish low for browns, the middle river for rainbows and high water for brook trout.
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Bring bead-head nymphs
They are a standby in late summer and fall when fish are not looking up.
Every access point on the Encampment, in your pocket.
- 9 mapped access points, with parking and put-ins
- Today's Fishability score, so you fish the day that lines up
- 7-day flow and water-temp trends for every gauge on the river
Rivers near the Encampment
Encampment River FAQ
When is the best time to fly fish the Encampment River?
After runoff ends in early July, through late summer and fall.
What fish live in the Encampment River?
Brown trout in the lower river, rainbows farther up and brook trout in the upper reaches. They are all wild fish.
What flies work on the Encampment?
Elk Hair Caddis, Adams and Humpys to start, plus bead-head nymphs.
Is there public access on the Encampment River?
Yes. There are 9 mapped access points, all in the free FlyFishFinder app.
Is the Encampment fishing well today?
This page shows the live gage. For a rating of how it is fishing today, open the river in the FlyFishFinder app.
