Pay lakes in Wyoming

Usually not. No Wyoming fishing license is needed to fish a licensed fishing preserve or a licensed hatchery's catchout pond; the operator sets creel limits and other fishing regulations still apply.

Wyoming licenses pay lakes through its (1) Fishing Preserve License (Commission Reg. Chapter 50; W.S. 23-5-204) and (2) Commercial Fish Hatchery License with one Catchout Pond per licensed location (Commission Reg. Chapter 51 Section 15; W.S. 23-4-102), run by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD). The license rule depends on the lake holding that state license, so ask the lake if you are unsure.

"Fish can only be taken from a catchout pond by legal fishing methods. Each hatchery owner may set creel or size limits. A fishing license is not required. All other Commission fishing regulations apply."

Source: WGFD Commission Regulation Chapter 51 (Private Fish Hatcheries, July 2026), Section 15 Catchout Ponds; also Chapter 50 Section 6 (fishing preserves): 'charge a fee for fishing; no fishing license is required' https://wgfd.wyo.gov/sites/default/files/content/PDF/Regulations/CH-50-06-28-2022-7-CLEAN.pdf, checked November 2026. Compare every state on our pay lake license rules page.