Two Cody area anglers recently received prizes for catching and reporting tagged trout in local waters.

As part of a research effort to study trout populations in Buffalo Bill Reservoir and North Fork of the Shoshone River, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department hosts an annual raffle for anglers who call in the capture of a tagged trout. Anglers are asked to report tag colors and numbers for each fish, the date and location where it was caught and if the fish was harvested or released.

Marlin Richardson of Cody caught a tagged trout while ice fishing Buffalo Bill Reservoir last winter and Steven Channon of Cody caught a tagged trout while fishing the reservoir this summer. Both were entered into the raffle when they called Game and Fish to report their tagged trout. Richardson won the grand prize of a Traeger grill and Channon won the runner-up prize of a Yeti soft-sided cooler. Prizes were donated by the Adiposse chapter of Trout Unlimited.

“By reporting tagged fish, anglers play a crucial part in research that will help fisheries biologists better understand the migratory nature of trout in this unique fishery and better evaluate the effectiveness of current regulations in place to protect migrating fish,” the Game and Fish says.

A raffle will be held for the next three years in an effort to promote the research and thank anglers for their help.

“This is a unique opportunity for anglers to participate in local research that will ultimately benefit this cherished fishery,” said Fisheries Supervisor Sam Hochhalter.

Anglers can report tagged fish by calling 307-527-7125.