Visit Pinedale, Wyoming

Boating and Sailing

Sublette County offers a wide variety of boating opportunities to the outdoor enthusiast, on both lakes and rivers including water skiing, fishing, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, and sailing. In the state of Wyoming, all waters are governed by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department. Certain restrictions and regulations may apply to specific bodies of water, so be sure to check the regulations in the current fishing handbook, or online at http://gf.state.wy.us, for the area and body of water you are interested in visiting. In general, the lakes open up for boating around mid-May and are open through mid-October. Motorized boats are generally allowed on all the larger lakes outside the wilderness, but there may be calendar date restrictions on when motorized boats are allowed and regulations that allow water skiing but not jet skis on certain lakes. Motorized boats are not allowed at all within any of the designated wilderness areas.

Drift Boat Fishing

For those who love to fly fish, the Green River and New Fork Rivers are popular for drift boat fishing. Fishermen will find many public boat access points along both streams. Local outfitters & guides are available to provide guided fishing trips and provide or sell all the right equipment needed to fish the area. Water includes slow and deep portions with banks that harbor a variety of sport trout species waiting to challenge the avid fisherman, as well as faster flowing rapids and white water. Fishing licenses are available at local sporting good stores, convenience stores, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Water Skiing, Sailing, Motor Boating, Jet Skis

Sublette County has a number of large lakes on the Bridger-Teton National Forest that are big enough for water skiing, sailing and motor boating. In the Wind River Range, Fremont, Half Moon and New Fork Lakes all have improved public boat docks and ramps, and large parking areas for vehicles and boat trailers. These lakes are large and deep enough for motorized boating. Water skiing is allowed on all these lakes, however jet skis are not permitted on New Fork or Green River Lakes at this time. Lakes in the Wyoming Range do not allow motorized boats or personal watercraft, however non-motorized boats are permitted.

The biggest lake in the county for motorized boating, and sailing, is Fremont Lake, located four miles northeast of Pinedale. This 11-mile long lake has two public boat ramps. Each year in August, the Pinedale Boat Club and Yacht Club sponsor the Sailing Regatta on Fremont Lake, with a variety of categories for both small and large sailboats. This two-day, five-race competition draws sailing enthusiasts from throughout the region and is a Little America's Cup sanctioned event. This winds on this lake can be deceptive and at times kick up fairly large waves that can be hazardous for smaller boats, but a delight to those who want to wind surf or parasail. Boat rentals and public marinas are available at lodges on both Fremont and Half Moon Lakes. Small fishing boats can be rented on Boulder Lake. None of the other lakes have commercial services for boat rentals.

Scenic Boat Rides

For those who don't own their own boats, or don't want to haul them here, public boat rentals are available on both Half Moon and Fremont Lakes near Pinedale. Boats that can be rented include canoes, small fishing boats, powerboats and even party barges! Boats can be rented by the hour or day. Those with private boats can also berth at the marinas at both lakes. The resort on Half Moon Lake will be offering dinner steak rides on a soon-to-be-completed paddlewheel boat in the summer of 2003. Boulder Lake Lodge offers small fishing boat rentals on Boulder Lake, and there is an improved public boat ramp for access.

Canoeing, Kayaking, Float Tubes

If you would like a more relaxed pace of boating on the water, Sublette County offers hundreds of lakes for quieter boating opportunities. The larger lakes all have improved public boat ramps to load and unload larger boats. Many other lakes only have rugged dirt ramps or no ramp access at all, which are still accessible to those who can carry their light boats over to the water and put in. For many of our lakes, there are no trails or roads that go completely around the shoreline, so boating is the only way to reach the far sides and more remote dispersed camping spots around the lake. There are literally hundreds of lakes in the county that offer secluded, quiet boating opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and float tubing. Certain portions along the upper Green River offer quicker paced waters and rapids for those who would like a little bit of white water fun.

Regulations and Boating Safety

Boaters take it upon themselves to watch out for submerged hazards in the water including rocks, floating logs, and other potential dangers. Lakes in the Wind River Range area were formed from glacial activity and have rocky shorelines, lots of large boulders, and unmarked water hazards. Wyoming law requires that no one under the age of 16 be allowed to operate or be in physical control of a boat on the water unless an adult is present. Motorized watercraft is required to be registered with the state each year and display the registration numbers on the boat so they are clearly visible. Watercraft over 16 feet in length needs to have throwable floatation devices as well as enough personal floatation devices for all persons on board. All persons water skiing, being towed by a motor boat, or on board personal watercraft must wear personal floatation devices. There are other regulations regarding fire extinguishers, wake control, lights, backfire arresters, and other things that boaters should be aware of for their particular craft which are available from the Wyoming Game & Fish Department. Anyone recreating on Fremont Lake should be aware that this body of water is also the municipal water supply for the Town of Pinedale, and more restrictions apply to protect the purity of the lake water. Most of our water comes from high mountain snow melt and water temperatures can be frigid while air temperatures are warm. Those recreating in the water should be aware of the dangers of hypothermia and the effects of cold water temperatures on the body and dress accordingly for their planned activity.

For More information:

Pinedale Boat Club
Charlie Golden Jr. - 307-367-2806 or 307-367-4520
Jason Essington - 307-749-8788
http://www.pinedaleonline.com/boatclub

Wyoming Game & Fish Department
5400 Bishop Boulevard
Cheyenne, WY 82006
307-777-4600
http://gf.state.wy.us