Premium Lower Shoshone River Fishing Adventures in Cody
Private Trip
River Fishing
Tailwater fishing through downtown Cody with diverse trout speciesPrime season runs late August through midApril annuallyBrowns, rainbows, cutthroat and specialty trout up to 20 inches
Right here in Cody's backyard, the Lower Shoshone River offers some of Wyoming's most consistent trout fishing. This tailwater gem flows straight through town after spilling out of Buffalo Bill Dam, creating prime habitat for multiple trout species just minutes from Main Street. You'll fish productive runs and pools that locals have been working for decades, with lunch included and room for up to two anglers per guide.
The Lower Shoshone is a working tailwater that changes personality throughout the year. From late August through mid-April, when irrigation demands drop and water levels stabilize, this river really shines. You'll wade through classic riffle-pool sequences and work deeper runs where trout stack up during cooler months. The water stays fishable year-round thanks to dam releases, but timing matters here - spring and summer bring high flows that can make wading tough and fish harder to locate. Your guide knows exactly when conditions are prime and will position you in the sweet spots where browns, rainbows, cutthroat, and even hybrid cutbows cruise for food. The scenery doesn't hurt either, with red rock canyon walls and cottonwoods lining the banks as you work upstream from town.
This tailwater responds well to classic nymphing techniques, especially during the cooler months when bugs drift deep in the water column. Your guide will rig you up with weighted nymph patterns under an indicator, targeting the deeper slots and current seams where trout hold. Dry fly fishing can be productive during hatches, particularly with smaller mayfly and midge patterns that match the tailwater's prolific insect life. Streamer fishing works great for targeting the bigger browns that patrol the deeper runs - strips of woolly buggers and sculpin patterns often trigger aggressive strikes from fish in the 16-20 inch range. The key here is reading the water and adjusting your approach based on what's working. Some days the fish want presentations tight to the bottom, other times they're looking up for emergers in the film. Your guide will walk you through the techniques that match current conditions and help you dial in your presentation.
Rainbow trout are the bread and butter of the Lower Shoshone, typically running 10-16 inches with occasional fish pushing 18-20 inches. These rainbows fight hard in the current and show beautiful colors, especially the males during spawning season. They're aggressive feeders and respond well to both nymphs and dry flies, making them perfect targets for anglers of all skill levels.
Brown trout are the prize fish here, with plenty of chunky 14-18 inch browns and some true trophies lurking in the deeper holes. These fish get educated fast in this accessible water, so presentation matters. Browns tend to be more active during lower light periods and will smash streamers when the mood strikes. Landing a thick Lower Shoshone brown is something local anglers brag about for good reason.
Snake River cutthroat trout bring that native Wyoming flavor to your day, with their distinctive red slash marks and willingness to rise to dry flies. These fish typically run 12-16 inches and fight with the classic head-shaking style that cutthroat are famous for. They're often the most cooperative species when conditions get tough.
Cutbows are the wild cards - these rainbow-cutthroat hybrids combine the best traits of both parent species. They're scrappy fighters that can show up anywhere in the system, usually in the 10-15 inch range. Each cutbow looks a little different, making them fun to photograph before release.
Brook trout and tiger trout round out the mix as occasional surprises. The brookies are stunning with their olive backs and orange fins, while tiger trout display those distinctive vermiculated patterns that make them unmistakable. Both species are less common but add excitement to any day when they show up on your line.
The Lower Shoshone delivers consistent action for anglers who want quality fishing without traveling far from town. This top-rated tailwater fishery offers the chance to target five different trout species in one day, all while enjoying lunch streamside and learning from guides who fish this water regularly. Whether you're working on your nymphing technique or hoping to land your personal best brown trout, the Lower Shoshone provides the perfect classroom. With guest capacity limited to two anglers, you'll get personalized instruction and plenty of water to explore. Book your Lower Shoshone River trip and discover why this local gem keeps anglers coming back season after season.
The AIRE Super Puma 13' raft redefines what you'd expect from a compact fishing vessel on the Lower Shoshone River. This narrow, fast-moving craft handles like a sports car on water, giving anglers precision control while drifting through Cody's premier tailwater fishery. Equipped with a specialized fishing frame, it transforms into the perfect alternative to a traditional drift boat for targeting the river's abundant browns, rainbows, Snake River cutthroat, and cutbows that call these waters home. The raft's grippy design keeps you stable during those crucial moments when working productive runs below Buffalo Bill Dam, while its maneuverability lets you access tight spots where bigger boats can't venture. Built for two anglers, the Super Puma delivers the stealth and agility needed to make the most of the Lower Shoshone's legendary trout population during prime fishing seasons from late August through mid-April.
Salvelinus FontinalisBrookies are the colorful gems of our river - small but gorgeous fish with olive backs, red spots circled in blue, and bright orange fins with white edges. Most run 8-12 inches and prefer the coldest, cleanest water we have. You'll find them in shallow riffles and around structure where they can dart out to grab food. Fall is prime time when they spawn and get more aggressive. Guests love them for their stunning colors and willing nature - they're not as spooky as browns. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, delicate meat. Being our most temperature-sensitive fish, they're great indicators of water quality. Here's the trick with brookies: use smaller presentations and fish the pocket water thoroughly. They'll hold in tiny spots other trout ignore, so work every little depression and eddy carefully.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the crafty old-timers of our river, running 14-20 inches with golden-brown backs covered in dark spots. These fish are smart and spooky, preferring deeper holes, undercut banks, and areas with overhead cover during the day. They really come alive in fall when water temps drop and they start feeding aggressively before winter. What makes browns special is their wariness - they'll test your skills and make you work for every fish. Once hooked though, they fight deep and strong. They're also fantastic eating with firm, flaky meat. Here's a local secret: try fishing streamers tight to the banks right at dusk when these nocturnal predators start hunting. Big browns love to cruise shallow water looking for an easy meal when the light fades.
Oncorhynchus ClarkiiOur Snake River cutthroats are native beauties with that distinctive red slash under their jaw, typically running 12-16 inches. They're less picky than browns but not as aggressive as rainbows, preferring clean gravel runs and areas with good current. These fish love eating bugs, making them perfect for dry fly fishing during hatches. Fall and early spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding. What's cool about cutthroats is they're truly wild fish - no hatchery influence here. They fight clean and jump well, plus they're excellent eating. Being our native species makes each one special. Local tip: cutthroats are suckers for a well-presented dry fly, especially during evening caddis hatches. Cast an elk hair caddis or parachute adams upstream and let it drift naturally - they'll often rise confidently to take it.
Prosopium WilliamsoniDon't overlook these bronze-backed natives that run 10-14 inches in our tailwater. Mountain whitefish have small mouths and prefer feeding on bottom insects, so you'll find them in slower runs and deeper pools. Winter months are actually peak time since they feed heavily when other fish slow down. While some folks call them "trash fish," I think they're underrated - they bite aggressively and are surprisingly good eating when smoked or pickled. Kids especially love catching them because they're cooperative and plentiful. The key is downsizing everything - use small nymphs like size 16-18 midges or caddis patterns, and fish them deep with enough weight to tick bottom. Their small mouths mean you need sharp, small hooks to get good hooksets.
Oncorhynchus MykissThese colorful fighters run 12-18 inches in the Lower Shoshone and are absolutely beautiful with their signature pink stripe and spotted sides. You'll find them holding in the deeper runs and along structure like fallen logs or undercut banks. They love cold, clean water which is why our tailwater below Buffalo Bill Dam is perfect habitat. Fall through early spring is prime time when flows drop and water temps stay cool. Guests love rainbows because they're scrappy fighters that'll jump and run hard when hooked. They also make excellent table fare with that pink flesh. Pro tip: focus your nymphs and streamers right along the current seams where fast water meets slow - that's where they ambush food drifting downstream.
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