As summer settles in and water temperatures are top of mind, it is important to stay informed so we can all keep doing what we do. While recent increases in river flows have provided some cooler conditions, water temperatures can still change quickly throughout the day and across different sections of the river.
The new 2026 regs aid in making sure our fish are taken care of. Whether you’re a longtime local or visiting for the first time, taking a few minutes to refresh yourself on the rules helps protect our friends below the surface. Here are the top two most important regulation changes to keep in mind (per the WGF website):
- “Single-point, barbless hooks are now required on the North Platte River tailwaters between the Kortes Dam and the Wyoming Highway 220 Bridge. This includes high-traffic areas like the Miracle Mile and Fremont Canyon.” Is short, the Mile all the way to government bridge is all barbless. This also means no treble hooks. Reminder that you CAN fish articulated streamers.
- “The use of trout beads or pegged attractors is now prohibited at the Fremont Canyon and Gray Reef reaches.” This means no pegging worms or beads. That is okay though. The fish are hungry for bugs!
Lastly, when water levels are low and temperatures begin to rise, switching to heavier tippet is one of the simplest ways anglers can reduce stress on fish. Stronger tippet allows you to apply more pressure during the fight, helping bring fish to the net more quickly and minimizing the time they spend expending energy. Happy fishing!
