The 2025 Spring Flush has been scheduled by the Bureau of Reclamation at the request of the Wyoming Game and Fish. The Flush will be taking place March 17th through March 26th. Water levels will even out come the morning of the 27th. Each day, flows from the Grey Reef will stairstep up and down between 500 CFS and 4,000 CFS, with water levels returning to 500 CFS by 10 AM each day.
What is the purpose of the Flush you ask?
Here is a quote from Matt Hahn, the fisheries supervisor for Casper from the WGFD website: “Research shows these flushing flows are essential for sustaining wild trout populations,” said Matt Hahn. “Before this practice began in 1995, trout populations often fell below 400 per mile, requiring large-scale stocking efforts. Now, thanks to annual flushing flows, the population averages more than 3,500 trout per mile.”
The Flush is an integral part of keeping our fishery happy and healthy. These flushing flows aid in pushing sediment out of the system and preparing the river bed for spawning beds. That said, it also stirs up many of the main protein sources in our river- such as leeches, worms, and crawdads. Due to this, things historically can fish pretty well through this time. Remain mindful of fluctuating flows, but it is no reason to stop you from fishing!
Looking ahead
The WGFD will also be shutting down the “cable to cable” portion of the Grey Reef starting in the month of April. One of our largest beds sits in between these cables- we want to allow the trout some peace and quiet to do their thing. The first cable is about 700 yards below the Dam and runs another 200 yards to the final cable . You can still float through this area, but rods must be up. As the saying goes, fish where they feed, not where they breed. Happy fishing season!
