Every spring, the waters around Glendo, Wyoming, pulse with anticipation as anglers gather for the Annual Glendo Fishing Derby. This event is more than a contest; it’s a hands-on welcome to the raw, restless spirit of Glendo Reservoir. Spanning over 13,000 acres, the reservoir dares anglers with its shifting currents and broad, open waters, inviting an engagement that’s part skill, part instinct.

The derby centers on catching walleye, sauger, and rainbow trout, fish that test your patience and technique against the lake’s broad canvas. Anglers join early mornings when the temperature is chilled and the breeze cuts through the quiet, giving the water a slick sheen that can either smooth your cast or whip a line into a fight. The event runs generally in May when the spring runoff feeds the reservoir, stirring the lake and waking fish from winter sluggishness.

Glendo State Park, the derby’s backdrop, offers practical access with boat ramps and staffed marinas. The terrain around the reservoir is a blend of rolling prairie and pine-sprinkled low hills, holding pockets of shade that become valuable for rest. A walk along the shore rewards you with the occasional rustling of prairie grass, like the landscape itself encouraging steady resolve. Consider paths with moderate slopes that lead to quieter fishing spots where the ripples dare you to come closer.

Planning the Derby means gearing up thoughtfully: durable fishing gear, polarized glasses to spot the darting shadows beneath the surface, and layered clothing to adjust to sudden weather changes typical of Wyoming’s spring. Hydration is crucial; water bottles and electrolyte mixes are your best allies in the drying winds.

Timing your visit can enhance the experience. Dawn and dusk hold the best fishing action and dramatic shifts in light that frame the reservoir's expanse in soft golds and blues. Respect the environment—it’s fiercely itself, shaped by seasons, wildlife, and visitors alike. The derby embodies an adventure in patience, persistence, and respect for a wilderness swimming quietly beneath the surface.

This event encourages newcomers and seasoned anglers alike to test tactics on open waters while sharing stories that bounce off the hills like gusts of wind. Whether you come for competition or community, the Annual Glendo Fishing Derby is a practical, spirited encounter with Wyoming’s untamed aquatic heart.