GREEN RIVER--Winter may be approaching, but fishing in southwest Wyoming is still very good. There are still opportunities for your children to participate in the new Wyoming Youth Fish Challenge.

The Wyoming Youth Fish Challenge Program is a collaborative effort between the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, North Platte Walleyes, Trout Unlimited, 4-H Sportfishing, Wyoming Fly Casters, and Cowboy Bass affiliated with B.A.S.S. The new program is sponsored by the Casper Region of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department that aims to provide youth with angling challenges to expand their fishing skills.

The program has recently expanded to the Green River Region through generous donations by Seedskadee Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Upper Bear River Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and Cowboy Bass.

"We really appreciate the donations from these local groups," said Green River Fisheries Supervisor Robert Keith. "This is a really cool program and these generous donations have allowed the Game and Fish to expand the program into the Green River Region."

"Youth under the age of 18 can complete up to 10 challenges," said Keith. "One of the challenges is the Trout Trio. To complete the Trout Trio, participants are required to catch any three separate species of trout found in Wyoming, including brook, brown, rainbow, cutthroats, kokanee, tiger, splake, lake, or golden trout. This is one of several challenges that younger anglers can pursue with their parents while open water or ice fishing this winter."

In addition to the Trout Trio, there is the Cool Catch, Wyoming's Wild One, Pan Pair, Habitat Counts, Percid Prize, Bass Battle, and the Hatchery Hop. If participants complete five or more challenges, the department will recognize them as a Master Angler. The program is based on the Cutt Slam, another department program started in the 1990s. Participants who successfully complete any category will receive a collectible certificate featuring the fish they caught and recognizing them for their efforts.

Program eligibility and requirements follow:
Any youth (resident or nonresident, 18 years of age and under) fishing Wyoming waters
All fish must be caught in Wyoming
Photos must be taken with the youth and the fish at the body of water of capture
Fish can be caught over multiple years, prior to the 19th birthday
Native fish do not have to be taken from their native range, unless it is the Cutt-Slam
Verification sheet must be submitted to Casper Game and Fish office for authorization

Verification sheets and a description of the program are available at the Casper and Green River Game and Fish office, online at wgfd.wyo.gov , or by calling Janet Milek at (307) 233-6404. Please send in the verification sheet along with photos and all other information requested on the sheet to Janet Milek in the Casper Region office of Game and Fish at 3030 Energy Lane, Casper, WY 82604.

The Game and Fish encourages parents to remember this program during family fishing trips this winter. "Several youth in the Casper Region have already completed challenges and have been calling to see if their certificates are done yet," said Casper Region Information and Education Specialist Janet Milek. "It is exciting to see so many youth out there fishing. I can't wait to help my own kids get their certificates, soon!"