Due to high run off from above average snowpack, water clarity is very low (less than 6 inches) and fishing for trout will be poor to fair in these reservoir conditions, and will remain so until the reservoir clarity improves with reduced spring runoff. Anglers wishing to target trout in these conditions should focus on bright or larger attractive lures such as rooster-tails, spoons, or Rapalas. Anglers fishing from a boat could do well trolling flashers, spoons, and Rapalas, in shallower depths. Anglers that are fly fishing may have success stripping Wooly Bugger or Leech patterns or fishing larger balance leeches under an indicator.

Perch fishing will remain slow due to the die off last year. Some anglers encountered limited numbers of Yellow Perch during the 2022-2023 ice fishing season. Anglers wishing to target perch will have limited success jigging small lures and bait near the bottom in 20-25 feet of water.

It is a coldwater “put-grow-take” stocked trout and wild, warmwater fishery. Game fish species present are rainbow trout, German brown trout, bowcut trout (rainbow x cutthroat hybrid), smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, yellow perch, and white crappie. Average harvest rate for trout (2004) was 1.38 fish per hour and 4.72 fish per angler. (more on Wildhorse Reservoir)