Updated October 15, 2026

    Medicine Bow River

    river in Wyoming

    The Medicine Bow River provides both easily accessible and more remote fishing experiences, known for its healthy populations of wild trout in a beautiful mountain setting.

    Bite report · week of Oct 4

    Clear

    1. 01Clear, cold water conditions (42°F) on the Medicine Bow River.
    2. 02Walleye are keying on larger baitfish, crayfish, and egg patterns for fall feeding.
    3. 03Focus on deep pools and structured areas where Walleye ambush prey.
    4. 04Slow, deliberate retrieves are crucial for enticing lethargic Walleye in cold water.
    5. 05Low-light conditions (dawn/dusk) may offer brief periods of increased Walleye activity.

    Past reports week by week

    6 weeks

    What to tie on

    Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.

    streamer

    Egg Sucking Leech

    Leech/egg combination
    #2#4#6

    Leeches and eggs are consistent food sources for predatory fish, and this pattern is highly effective in fall.

    Buy at Amazon
    streamer

    Perch Pattern

    Yellow Perch
    #1/0#2#4

    Perch are a common baitfish in many walleye waters, and this imitation is excellent in fall and early spring.

    dry

    Crayfish (Fly) (Olive/Rust)

    #14#16

    Crayfish are a primary food source for Walleye in rocky river environments, making this a crucial subsurface pattern in fall.

    egg

    Blood Dot Egg

    Salmon/trout egg
    #10#12#14

    Fall is egg season, and these patterns are a proven food source for various predatory fish, including Walleye.

    Buy at Amazon
    streamer

    Articulated Streamer (Drunk Sculpin)

    Sculpin
    #2#4#6

    This streamer imitates sculpins and baitfish, which are key prey for Walleye in cold fall and winter waters.

    Buy at Amazon
    streamer

    Conehead Sculpin

    Sculpin (Cottidae)
    #4#6#8

    Sculpin patterns are best in fall near rocky bottoms, effectively imitating a major food source for Walleye.

    Buy at Amazon
    dry

    October Caddis (Dry)

    October Caddis (Dicosmoecus) adult
    #6#8#10

    While primarily an insect pattern, the large October Caddis can be an opportunistic target for Walleye in the fall, especially during hatches.

    Buy at Amazon
    streamer

    Comet

    General attractor (steelhead)
    #4#6#8

    Fall and winter are prime times for predatory fish like Walleye to strike baitfish imitations in the cold water.

    Buy at Amazon

    Where to fish and who to ask

    Four Seasons Anglers · Laramie1Pickaroon Campground Area2Ryan Park Access3Town of Medicine Bow Section
    AccessFly shopGuide trips
    1

    Pickaroon Campground Area

    Offers access to picturesque sections of the river within the National Forest, popular for camping and fishing.

    41.300°N 106.270°WDirections
    2

    Ryan Park Access

    Public access points near Ryan Park offer convenient entry to good fishing water.

    41.340°N 106.330°WUSGS 06641500Directions
    3

    Town of Medicine Bow Section

    Some public access is available near the town of Medicine Bow, providing fishing closer to amenities.

    41.900°N 106.180°WDirections

    Fly shops within 40 miles

    39mi

    Four Seasons Anglers

    Laramie, WYGuide trips

    Get Medicine Bow River reports by email

    Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.

    Wyoming season by season

    What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.

    Read before you go

    Quick answers

    Common questions about Medicine Bow River.

    What flies work best on Medicine Bow River?

    Our top scored fly patterns for Medicine Bow River right now are Egg Sucking Leech (80% confidence), San Juan Worm (80% confidence), Pine Squirrel Leech (Olive) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.

    What fish species are in Medicine Bow River?

    Medicine Bow River holds Walleye. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.

    What are current flow conditions on Medicine Bow River?

    Live USGS streamflow readings for Medicine Bow River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.

    Is Medicine Bow River fishing well right now?

    We publish a fresh bite report for Medicine Bow River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.