State Guide

Magnet Fishing in Wyoming: Where You Can Go and What to Avoid

Wyoming is beautiful country but you need to know the boundaries — Yellowstone and Grand Teton are National Parks, and NPS rules mean no magnet fishing, full stop. Outside the parks, the Green River and Flaming Gorge Reservoir are accessible and underworked. Fast, cold water means heavier gear and serious rope.

Boysen Reservoir

Magnet fishing in Wyoming — quick info

Recommended Pull Force

500–1200 lb

Recommended Rope Length

50–100 ft

Beginner Difficulty

moderate

Typical Water Conditions

Wyoming has the Green, Snake, and North Platte rivers, plus Yellowstone Lake and Jackson Lake in the northwest. Most rivers are cold, fast, and fed by snowmelt from the Rockies and Wind River Range. Flaming Gorge Reservoir on the Wyoming-Utah border sees moderate recreational traffic. Yellowstone National Park waterways are in a completely separate legal category.

Is it legal? Wyoming Game & Fish doesn't specifically prohibit magnet fishing, but Yellowstone National Park is federal NPS land and any disturbance of the park's water or lakebed is completely prohibited — this is strictly enforced. Jackson Lake is in Grand Teton National Park, which carries the same NPS restrictions. Outside of National Parks, BLM and Forest Service lands have their own rules for river access. Wyoming has strong archaeological protection for Native American cultural sites.

Best magnet fishing gear for Wyoming

Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm
Magnet

Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm

Wyoming's remote rivers aren't loaded with urban scrap, so a lighter 200lb magnet is actually a reasonable fit for exploratory pulls where you're not fighting decades of accumulated iron.

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AnglerMag Double Sided 1325LB Kit
Starter Kit

AnglerMag Double Sided 1325LB Kit

A 1325lb double-sided kit is overkill for most Wyoming spots, but if you're working the deep water at Flaming Gorge where stuff has been sitting on the bottom for decades, that extra pull force isn't wasted.

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Brute Magnetics Foldable Grappling Hook
Grappling Hook

Brute Magnetics Foldable Grappling Hook

A foldable hook packs down small enough to fit in a daypack, which matters when you're hiking into a remote stretch of the Snake River outside park boundaries where there's no room for bulky gear.

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KAYGO KG150 Waterproof Work Gloves
Gloves

KAYGO KG150 Waterproof Work Gloves

Wyoming water is cold enough to numb your hands fast — even in summer on snowmelt rivers like the Wind River — so waterproof gloves aren't optional, they're just part of the kit.

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Best magnet fishing spots in Wyoming

1. North Platte River – Downtown Stretch

Casper

The North Platte runs right through Casper and has been a working river corridor for over a century — old railroad bridges, cattle crossings, and industrial use have left a lot of iron sitting on the bottom. Access is easy from Bicentennial Park and a few pullouts along the river trail. Depth is moderate and the current is manageable most of the year, which makes it one of the more approachable Wyoming spots.

Gear tip: The current here isn't brutal but it moves enough that you'll want a solid double-knot setup and a rope with real grip — check out Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm for a kit that won't let you down mid-swing.

2. North Platte River – Downtown Crossing

Casper

The North Platte runs right through Casper, and this stretch has seen more than a century of ranching, industry, and river traffic. Bridges here have been dropping hardware into the water since the early 1900s, and the river is shallow enough in summer to wade sections near the old downtown crossings. Access is easy from Crossroads Park, and you can cover a lot of bank without much hiking.

Gear tip: The current here is real — a double-sided magnet on a short rope will get dragged around, so go with a strong single-sided setup and a rope with a solid knot. Check out Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm before you head out.

3. Laramie River – Old Bridge Crossing

Laramie

Laramie has a few old bridge footings along the Laramie River where century-old hardware and farm equipment occasionally turn up. The university town has been here a long time, and that means layers of discarded metal under relatively shallow, clear water. Wade-in access is straightforward at several points near town.

Gear tip: Shallow clear water means you can actually see what you're pulling toward you, but you still want a strong enough magnet to break suction on flat objects — Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm covers that.

4. Green River – Town Park Access

Green River

The city of Green River sits right on the river it's named for, and the banks near Expedition Island have seen railroad history, emigrant crossings, and decades of local foot traffic. The water is cold and surprisingly clear, which means you can sometimes see targets before you even cast. There's good parking near the island and the bank access is pretty straightforward.

Gear tip: Clear water sounds nice until your magnet snags on a submerged rock shelf — bring a decent treble hook on a separate line for retrieval assist, and make sure your main magnet is rated for the extra drag. Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm has options that handle rocky bottoms better than cheap kits.

5. Laramie River – Old Town Access

Laramie

Laramie's got railroad history baked into its bones, and the Laramie River running through town has collected bits of that history over the decades. The shallower stretches near old rail crossings are worth working — iron spikes, bolts, and bracket hardware are the kind of thing that ends up in rivers near rail lines. Bank access is reasonable and the water runs clear enough to see what you're dealing with.

Gear tip: You'll be pulling out of shallow gravel bottom a lot here, so a single-sided neodymium magnet gives you better control than a bulky double-sided rig — Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm is worth a look before you head out.

6. Boysen Reservoir

Shoshoni

Boysen sits on the Wind River and backs up enough water to cover a lot of old ranch and irrigation infrastructure that was there before the dam went in. Boat ramps give you access to deeper water where stuff has settled over decades. It's calmer than Wyoming's rivers, which makes it a good option if you want to cover more ground without fighting current.

Gear tip: Deeper reservoir pulls can mean serious suction on flat ferrous junk — bring a Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm with enough rated pull to actually break things loose from a silty bottom.

7. Boysen Reservoir – North Dam Area

Shoshoni

Boysen sits in the Wind River Canyon corridor and it's one of the calmer, deeper spots in Wyoming — which is rare in a state full of fast rivers. The dam infrastructure and the boat ramps have been losing hardware into that water for decades. Depth near the dam face gets serious fast, so a longer rope is worth having.

Gear tip: Deep, still water like Boysen rewards a heavier magnet with real pull strength — don't show up with something undersized and expect results from 20 feet down. Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm is what I'd grab for reservoir work like this.

8. Sweetwater River – South Pass Area

Lander

The Sweetwater River near South Pass was a critical crossing point on the Oregon Trail, and emigrants lost a staggering amount of iron hardware in and around these crossings — wagon hardware, wheel rims, tools, horseshoes. This is one of those spots where history and magnet fishing actually overlap in a real way, not just in theory. Access is open on most BLM-managed stretches but check Wyoming State Historic Preservation rules before you pull anything that looks genuinely old.

Gear tip: You're fishing historically significant water here, so bring something dependable and not your cheapest setup — Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm will give you the pull strength to work the deeper pockets without losing gear to the current.

9. Green River – Town Bridge Area

Green River

The town of Green River sits right where the highway and rail corridor cross the river, and there's been heavy traffic over these bridges for well over a hundred years. Old spikes, bolts, and hardware from the Union Pacific era aren't unheard of here. The riverbanks near the city park give you decent foot access without a lot of scrambling.

Gear tip: Railroad-era iron tends to be chunky and corroded solid to the riverbed — a dual-sided magnet from Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm gives you more surface contact when you're dragging across that kind of debris.

10. Snake River – South Park Bridge

Jackson

This is the section of the Snake that runs south of Jackson, outside the national park boundary — important distinction because you cannot magnet fish inside Grand Teton. The South Park bridge area gets a lot of float traffic and has old ranching infrastructure nearby. Current here is fast and pushy, so don't expect a relaxed session.

Gear tip: Fast current demands a heavy magnet that won't skip along the bottom — and honestly, your rope choice matters as much as the magnet here. Look at Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm and pay attention to the rope specs before you buy.

11. Sweetwater River – Historic River Crossing

Lander

The Sweetwater was crossed by thousands of Oregon, California, and Mormon Trail emigrants in the 1840s and 1850s, and several of those crossing points are still accessible on public land. Wagon hardware, iron fittings, and ox shoes have come out of crossings like this at other historic sites across the West. Worth noting: Wyoming's State Historic Preservation Office takes submerged archaeological material seriously, so know the rules before you pull anything significant.

Gear tip: Shallow crossings mean snag risk on rocky bottoms, so a rope with abrasion resistance matters here — pair it with a quality magnet from Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm and you'll be less likely to lose gear in the rocks.

12. Laramie River – Downtown Bridge

Laramie

Laramie's downtown bridge over the Laramie River is one of those spots that looks unremarkable until you start pulling stuff up. The university town history and old ranching crossings nearby mean there's a decent mix of modern junk and older iron in the riverbed. Water is shallow and access from the park on the south bank is easy.

Gear tip: Shallow water and a rocky bottom means your magnet is going to get stuck more than once — a strong pull rating and a good knot on your rope will save you a lot of frustration. Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm is a good starting point for this kind of spot.

13. Green River – Upstream of Flaming Gorge

Green River

The stretch of the Green River running through the town of Green River proper is outside the Flaming Gorge Reservoir's federal jurisdiction, which matters. The town has old railroad infrastructure nearby and the river has been a working waterway for a long time. Iron finds here tend to be industrial-era stuff — bolts, brackets, and the occasional blade — rather than historical artifacts.

Gear tip: Current in the Green River can push your magnet downstream faster than you expect, so use a rope with enough length to let it drag and settle — Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm is a good starting point for a kit with proper rope length.

14. Flaming Gorge Reservoir – Buckboard Crossing

Green River

The Wyoming side of Flaming Gorge at Buckboard Crossing gives you access to deep, calm water over what was once a populated river valley before the dam flooded it. Bureau of Reclamation manages the area and has its own use regulations, so check those before you go. The depth here is significant and the water is cold and clear — good visibility if you're trying to spot something on the way down.

Gear tip: Deep water pulls need a long rope and a high-pull-rating magnet — Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm has options worth looking at before you try to fish 40-plus feet of water.

15. Shoshone River – Buffalo Bill Dam Tailwaters

Cody

Below Buffalo Bill Dam, the Shoshone runs cold and fast through terrain that's been heavily used for over a hundred years of tourism and cattle operations. The dam itself has been around since 1910, and the tailwater area below it tends to collect things that fall off boats, bridges, and access roads. Parking near the picnic areas gives you bank access without much of a hike.

Gear tip: The tailwater current is no joke — I've had magnets dragged a good 30 feet downstream before they caught anything. A 65-foot rope minimum and a magnet with serious pull is the move here; Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm covers that range.

16. Powder River – Highway 16 Bridge Crossing

Kaycee

Kaycee sits in classic Wyoming cattle country and the Powder River crossings here have been in use since the range wars and cattle drives of the late 1800s. Bridge crossings like this one are almost always productive — that's where stuff gets dropped, thrown, and lost over generations. The river runs shallow in late summer, which makes wading access pretty easy.

Gear tip: Shallow, rocky bottom means you'll snag if you're not careful — a magnet with a strong eyebolt connection is non-negotiable here, and Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm has rigs built for exactly that kind of abuse.

17. Big Horn River – Below Thermopolis

Thermopolis

The Big Horn below Thermopolis is a well-known fishing area and has been accessed by guides, ranchers, and recreationalists for generations — which means gear gets left behind. Old anchor hardware, fishing equipment, and various metal odds and ends turn up here. Bank access is reasonable at several pull-off points downstream from the hot springs state park.

Gear tip: Moving water and a gravelly bottom means you want a magnet that drags efficiently without snagging constantly — Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm is worth a look for this kind of setup.

18. Big Laramie River – Albany County Road Bridges

Laramie

Out in the flats east of the Snowy Range, the county road bridges over the Big Laramie see farm equipment, irrigation hardware, and decades of rural traffic passing overhead. It's remote enough that you'll have the spot to yourself, and the water is calm enough to actually work a magnet properly. Don't expect big finds, but the solitude is worth something.

Gear tip: Remote spots like this mean you're on your own if something goes wrong with your gear — bring a backup carabiner and don't rely on the knot alone. Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm is worth a look for the hardware quality.

19. Big Horn River – Five Springs Area

Lovell

The Big Horn north of Lovell sees a mix of agricultural and recreational use, and the river has enough history around irrigation infrastructure to make the bottom interesting. Older hardware from irrigation diversions and stock crossings shows up in rivers like this more than people expect. BLM and state access points give you legal bank access without much hassle.

Gear tip: You're likely pulling agricultural iron here — heavy, awkward stuff — so don't skimp on rope strength; Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm is worth reading through before you commit to a magnet that can't handle the load.

20. Platte River Reservoir – Wheatland

Wheatland

Grayrocks Reservoir near Wheatland sits in cattle and ranch country where old farm equipment, fencing hardware, and irrigation ironwork have been accumulating for a long time. It's calmer than the main river channel and the boat ramp gives you options for covering water. Not a famous spot, but that's kind of the point — less picked over.

Gear tip: Farm and ranch iron is often large and heavy, sometimes partially buried — bring a serious magnet from Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm if you want a real shot at moving something big.

21. North Platte River – Saratoga Hot Springs Area

Saratoga

Saratoga sits on the North Platte upstream from Casper, and the river here has a long history as a fishing and recreation destination. The old bridge infrastructure and the access roads near the hot springs have been dropping things in the water for a long time. It's a popular float fishing run, which means more foot traffic and more lost gear over the years.

Gear tip: River access here is good but the bottom is cobbled and rough — you'll want a magnet that can handle getting dragged over rocks without the coating tearing up. Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm has what you need for that kind of bottom.

22. Platte River Bridge – Historic Lincoln Highway Crossing

Rawlins

Old highway crossings over the North Platte near Rawlins are genuinely underrated magnet fishing spots. The Lincoln Highway came through this part of Wyoming in the early 1900s and old bridge crossings from that era accumulated iron over decades of use. The water here is manageable depth and the banks are open enough to work from.

Gear tip: Old bridge sites can have large structural iron buried in the silt, so you want a magnet with serious pull and a rope that won't fail under load — Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm covers what you need.

23. Shoshone River – Below Buffalo Bill Reservoir

Cody

The Shoshone below the Buffalo Bill Dam spillway sees a lot of recreational traffic, and older sections of the river corridor near Cody have ties to early 20th century ranching and tourism infrastructure. The dam itself dates to 1910, which means there's been ironwork in and around this water for over a century. Access is good from several pullouts between the dam and town.

Gear tip: Fast, cold water below a dam spillway calls for a rope with real length and a knot you've tested before you got there — the magnet you use matters too, so check out Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm before your first drop.

24. Sweetwater River – Devil's Gate

Rawlins

The Sweetwater River near Devil's Gate is one of those spots with actual historical weight — this was a major Oregon Trail crossing, and thousands of emigrant wagons forded here in the 1840s and 50s. Wyoming's State Historic Preservation rules cover submerged archaeological material, so know what you're pulling before you pocket it. That history also means there's a real chance of interesting iron in that riverbed.

Gear tip: Historic crossing sites need some care — use Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm to get your gear sorted, but read up on Wyoming's submerged cultural resource rules before you go so you know what to do if you pull up something old.

25. Tongue River – Dayton Bridge

Dayton

The Tongue River up in the Bighorn foothills sees less pressure than Wyoming's bigger rivers, which is part of what makes the Dayton bridge area worth checking. Smaller towns near old bridge crossings often have less competition and more undisturbed bottom. The river runs clearer than most in Wyoming and the depth is manageable for standard throws from the bank.

Gear tip: Clear, shallow water here means you can actually see some of what you're retrieving before it clears the surface — bring a solid mid-range magnet setup like Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm and a bucket because you'll want to make a day of it.

26. Torrington Bridge – North Platte

Torrington

Torrington sits in the eastern ag belt where the North Platte has been used hard for irrigation, livestock watering, and early settlement since the 1880s. The bridge crossing here has replaced older crossings over the years, and each generation leaves hardware behind. Easy roadside access and a slower, wider river section than you get upstream.

Gear tip: Slow, wide water with a silty bottom — you'll want a magnet with strong pull-through on flat surfaces, so take a look at Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm before you head out.

27. North Platte River – Guernsey Reservoir Area

Guernsey

Guernsey sits right on the Oregon Trail and the reservoir area has been a stopping, crossing, and camping point since the mid-1800s. The reservoir itself and the river stretches around it have seen enormous amounts of human traffic over 150-plus years. The Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site is nearby, so again — anything that looks genuinely old needs to stay put, but lost fishing gear and modern iron are fair game.

Gear tip: This spot rewards patience and multiple throws from different angles along the bank — a 500lb to 1000lb pull magnet gives you the range you need, and Best Choice Magnets M8 Male Thread 200lb Round Magnet 44mm is a reasonable place to start gear shopping for this one.

Magnet fishing in Wyoming — FAQ

Is magnet fishing legal in Yellowstone National Park?+
No. Yellowstone is NPS land and any disturbance of the water or lakebed is strictly prohibited — and they do enforce it. Same deal with Jackson Lake inside Grand Teton National Park. Stay out of both.
Can I magnet fish on BLM land in Wyoming?+
BLM and Forest Service lands have their own access rules, and they vary by location. I'd check with the local BLM field office before you go — it's a quick call and saves you a real headache if a ranger shows up.
What pull force do I actually need for Wyoming rivers?+
Somewhere between 500 and 1200 lbs is the practical range for most spots here. The rivers are fast and the bottoms are rocky, so you want enough pull to drag something off a boulder without snapping your rope.
How long should my rope be for Wyoming water?+
50 to 100 feet covers most situations. The deeper reservoir spots like Flaming Gorge push toward that 100-foot end, but for riverbank casting on the North Platte or Snake, 50 feet is usually plenty.
Are there archaeological protection rules I need to know about?+
Wyoming takes Native American cultural site protection seriously, and those laws apply on public land. If you pull something up that looks like it could be a historical artifact rather than modern junk, don't pocket it — look into reporting requirements.
Is Wyoming a hard place to start magnet fishing?+
Moderate difficulty is probably the honest answer. The rivers are beautiful but they're powerful, and navigating public land access rules adds a layer that you don't deal with in states where you're mostly fishing from public road bridges. Not impossible, just not a plug-and-play setup.
What kind of stuff do people actually find in Wyoming waterways?+
Recreational traffic on places like Flaming Gorge means dropped boat hardware, anchors, and fishing gear are realistic finds. On the rivers you're more likely to pull up old farm equipment, tools, and the usual mountain of rusty bolts. I haven't personally fished Flaming Gorge yet, but it's on my list.
Do I need a fishing license to magnet fish in Wyoming?+
A standard fishing license typically covers fish, not magnet fishing — but Wyoming Game & Fish doesn't specifically address magnet fishing in their regs. I'd reach out to them directly to confirm before you head out, especially on public water.

Here are some magnet fishing finds in Wyoming

Magnet fishing in Wyoming has uncovered a variety of finds that reflect both the natural beauty and the intriguing history of the region. Given the state's rich history of frontier life, railroads, and Native American heritage, individuals engaged in magnet fishing might discover items ranging from historical artifacts to modern day tools and equipment. Here are some potential finds:


  • Historical Tools and Hardware: Items such as old tools, horseshoes, railroad spikes, and pieces of farming equipment. These finds can date back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, offering a glimpse into the daily life and work of early settlers and railroad workers.
  • Fishing Gear: Given Wyoming's abundant rivers and lakes, lost fishing gear, including hooks, lures, and weights, are common finds. These items often find their way into the water through accidental loss during fishing trips.
  • Firearms and Ammunition: It's not uncommon for magnet fishers to pull up firearms and ammunition, some of which may be historical. These could range from frontier-era firearms to more modern pieces that have been lost or disposed of in water bodies.
  • Coins and Jewelry: Waterways are often hiding places for valuable items like coins and jewelry. While modern pieces are more commonly found, there's always a chance of discovering older, potentially valuable or historical items.
  • Native American Artifacts: In some areas, it's possible to find artifacts related to the Native American tribes that have lived in Wyoming for centuries. However, it's crucial to note that if you believe you've found Native American artifacts, these are protected under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), and it's essential to report them to the appropriate authorities.
  • Recreational and Personal Items: From bicycles and parts of motorcycles to personal items like keys and mobile phones, rivers and lakes often hold a wide range of objects lost during recreational activities.

While magnet fishing can be a fascinating and rewarding hobby, especially in a state as rich in history and natural beauty as Wyoming, it's important to practice it responsibly. This means respecting private property, adhering to local regulations, and being mindful of environmental impacts. Additionally, handling finds, especially potentially dangerous items like ammunition or historical artifacts, should be done with care and in accordance with local laws. Sharing these experiences and findings through your platform can also encourage others to explore magnet fishing while fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship.

Looking for more magnet fishing spots near Wyoming? Check out our guides for Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Utah — all neighbouring states with their own rivers, lakes, and access points worth exploring.

Best Magnet Fishing Magnets

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Best Magnet Fishing Accessories

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Best Magnet Fishing Kits

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