Pathfinder Reservoir

Natrona & Carbon Counties, Wyoming

A high-desert reservoir on the North Platte River about 47 miles southwest of Casper, behind the historic Pathfinder Dam. It is known for walleye and trout, including the only established population of Ohrid trout in the U.S.

Air temp Loading current temperature…

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Pathfinder Reservoir (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area22,012 acres

Max depth192 ft

Shoreline117 mi

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Walleye●●●●○

Rocky points and shorelines in spring and early summer. Jigs and crawler rigs work well.

Rainbow Trout●●●○○

Stocked annually. Troll or cast from shore in spring and fall when the water is cool.

Cutthroat Trout●●●○○

Stocked annually. Fish the same areas and methods as rainbows.

Brown Trout●●○○○

Fewer fish but some large ones. Best in spring and fall near inflows and rocky banks.

Ohrid Trout●●○○○

A rare, unusual catch. Usually taken incidentally while trout fishing.

Boat launches

3 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

Bishop's PointFree
Natrona County campground with boat ramp; $15/night campingDirections ↗
Pathfinder MarinaMarina
Marina listed by Natrona County Parks; call ahead for servicesDirections ↗
More public accessPublic
See Natrona County Parks or Reclamation for all ramps and campgrounds (Diabase, Sage, Weiss, Wolf Point)Directions ↗

Size & creel limits

Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Pathfinder Reservoir are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Wyoming Game and Fish Department (2026 regulations on eRegulations) ↗

Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (2026 regulations on eRegulations) before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Ugly Bug Fly ShopNearby
240 South Center Street, Casper(307) 234-6905 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Pathfinder Reservoir ↗

Local tips

Wind comes up fast on this open, high-elevation water; watch the forecast in small boats.
Water levels drop through the irrigation season, which can affect ramps late in summer.
Clean, drain and dry your boat; Wyoming requires aquatic invasive species inspections.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.

More Wyoming lakes

Jackson Lake Seminoe Reservoir Boysen Reservoir Glendo Reservoir Keyhole Reservoir Buffalo Bill Reservoir Fontenelle Reservoir Ocean Lake All Wyoming lakes →

Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.