Brooks Lake
lake in Wyoming
Located near Togwotee Pass, Brooks Lake is a popular destination for both traditional and fly anglers, accessible during the warmer months and surrounded by majestic peaks.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
What's working on Brooks Lake
- 01Intermittent Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are expected on calmer, overcast afternoons.
- 02The prolific October Caddis hatch is underway, providing a substantial meal for Grayling and Whitefish.
- 03Year-round staples like midges, scuds, and leeches remain critically important subsurface.
- 04Focus fishing efforts around submerged structure, deeper drop-offs, and along the edges of aquatic vegetation.
- 05A slow, deliberate retrieve or dead drift for subsurface patterns is key in cooling water.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Balanced Leech
Leeches are a staple forage for predatory fish in stillwaters year-round. Fishing this pattern under an indicator is highly effective for Grayling and Whitefish in Brooks Lake as waters cool.
Buy at AmazonSoft Hackle Wet (Partridge & Orange)
Caddis pupae and emergers are active from spring through fall. Swinging this soft hackle through the current or fishing it on a slow retrieve can effectively imitate these insects for Grayling and Whitefish.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge (Black)
Midges are a primary and consistent food source year-round, even in cold water. This staple pattern is highly effective for enticing finicky Grayling and Whitefish subsurface.
Scud
Freshwater shrimp (scuds) are a consistent food source in Big Lake and similar stillwaters with aquatic vegetation year-round, making them a reliable option for Whitefish and Grayling.
Mysis Shrimp
Mysis shrimp are a consistent and important food source in large reservoirs and lakes year-round. Fishing this pattern dead drift near the bottom can be highly effective for Grayling and Whitefish.
Buy at AmazonPMD Comparadun (BWO)
PMD hatches are active in October, and Whitefish and Grayling are opportunistic feeders. This low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective fish feeding on emergers and adults.
October Caddis (Dry)
Fall is prime time for the October Caddis, one of the largest caddis hatches of the year in many western rivers, providing a substantial meal for Grayling and Whitefish.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Fall signifies the egg season for many trout species in the region, and Grayling and Whitefish will readily key into these abundant food sources.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Brooks Lake Campground Area
Offers easy shore access and a boat launch, making it a convenient spot to fish the lake.
Brooks Lake Creek Outlet
The short section of creek below the lake can offer good fishing, especially during periods of active fish movement.
Continental Divide Trail Access Points
More remote areas around the lake, accessible via the CDT, provide opportunities for solitude and unique fishing.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Cutthroat Fly Shop & Adventures
Wind River Flyfitter
JD High Country Outfitters
Snake River Angler
Get Brooks Lake 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.
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Quick answers
Common questions about Brooks Lake.
What flies work best on Brooks Lake?
Our top scored fly patterns for Brooks Lake right now are Balanced Leech (Black) (80% confidence), Mysis Shrimp (80% confidence), Scud (Pink/Orange) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Brooks Lake?
Brooks Lake holds Grayling, Whitefish. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Brooks Lake fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Brooks Lake each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.