2008 WALK-IN FISHING ATLAS AVAILABLE

              CASPER - Dreaming of trying that Christmas fly-rod on a Wyoming trout stream come spring?  Start planning for the upcoming fishing season by picking up a 2008 Walk-In Area Fishing Atlas.

The 42-page fishing guide features 60 fishing spots enrolled in the Game and Fish Department's Private Lands Public Wildlife Access Program available to the public for walk-in fishing. The new atlas, available at license agents and Game and Fish offices, lists prominent species found in each stream or lake, plus detailed directions to reach the waters, reports Matt Buhler, Game and Fish access coordinator. All walk-in fishing area information can also be found on the department's Web site.  Visit http://gf.state.wy.us and click on "Public Access."

"Private lands offer some of the best hunting and fishing in Wyoming," says Buhler.  "Through the Walk-In Area Program, the public now has the opportunity to access some of these private lands.  In 2008, the public will have access to 276 lake acres and 96 stream miles of private land, to complement all the public-land fishing available in the state."

Walk-in areas are available in the Belle Fourche, Big Horn, Cheyenne, Green, Little Snake, North Platte, Powder, Snake, South Platte and Tongue River drainages.

To promote the enrollment of more waters, Buhler urges anglers to be courteous to the landowner. 

"The excellent hunting and fishing opportunities available on private lands are a testimony to the land stewardship of those landowners," he explains.  "We encourage anglers to also be good stewards by packing out trash, sticking to designated roads and parking lots and following other rules, to keep these lands enrolled in the walk-in program."

The Walk-In fishing program is funded by the Game and Fish's Access Yes program through hunter and angler contributions.  Anglers and hunters are encouraged to contribute to the Access Yes program whenever they purchase or apply for a license. Access Yes donations are used strictly for providing access through easements to offer more places for sportsmen to hunt and fish.  On average, every dollar donated to Access Yes provides access to 4.2 acres.

(contact: Matt Buhler (307) 473-3400)

-WGFD-