Fishing Keyhole Reservoir

AKA: Keyhole Lake

Popular Fish Species
Keyhole Reservoir Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Keyhole Reservoir, WY

Popular Fish Species Keyhole Reservoir, WY

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to good fisheries management by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, healthy walleye are growing big and fat in the waters of Keyhole Reservoir this year. May and June are the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower and closer to shore. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, staying close by schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

White Crappie Fishing

Plenty of healthy white crappie reside in Keyhole Reservoir, and they are fat and healthy this year. Crappie fishing is excellent around cover and structure, so locate shallow brush and vegetation in Spring and Fall focusing on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out to as deep as 30 to 35 feet, as well as ledges near channels at these depths. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In winter, when the ice is safe, try your luck at ice fishing.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are a favorite of many locals at Keyhole Reservoir. They are running bigger than prior years and local anglers have lots of good things to say about the quality of the fishery. Fishing for smallmouth bass is good especially when they are shallow - in spring, during high water, mornings in summer and during warmer fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap, and around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. When the lake freezes over, try your luck at ice fishing.

Keyhole Reservoir Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, green sunfish, yellow perch and northern pike at Keyhole Reservoir in Wyoming.

Wrapping around the town of Pine Haven, Keyhole Reservoir, aka Keyhole Lake, is a 9,300-acre lake in the northeast part of the state. The lake has over 50 miles of shoreline, much of which is park areas, some with access for fishing from the bank.

Located in northeastern Wyoming, Keyhole Reservoir is a hidden gem for fishing enthusiasts seeking a rewarding angling experience. This picturesque reservoir, formed by the Keyhole Dam on the Belle Fourche River, offers abundant fishing opportunities. Fish species include bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, bluegill, perch, sunfish and northern pike. Check out fishing reports for popular species at this lake. Boating is open to all types of boats. In winter, once the ice is safe, Keyhole Reservoir is a great place for ice fishing because of the wide variety of fish species. A marina, boat ramps, stores, campgrounds and restaurants are all handy at the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Keyhole Reservoir

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Keyhole Reservoir Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

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