Game and Fish Dept. hires fisheries biologist

Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Green River Region personnel, welcomed a new fisheries biologist to southwest Wyoming. Troy Laughlin was hired November 23 to fill the fisheries biologist position in Green River when Joe Skorupski took a lateral transfer to a vacant fisheries biologist position in Cody, Wyoming. Troy joins the Green River fisheries management crew, who are tasked with managing both the sport fisheries and native fisheries in southwest Wyoming.

Troy is originally from south central Nebraska. Troy was raised on a small family farm where his family raised cattle, sheep, and pigs. During his youth, Troy spent countless hours fishing with his family and exploring the waters within striking distance of his home. As Troy grew up he enjoyed fishing for the different species of fish that lived in the different waters near his home. Little did Troy know that these experiences would lead to his choice to start a career in fisheries management.

Troy earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management from the University of Wyoming in 2011. With his bachelor’s degree in hand Troy was hired by the Green River fisheries management crew to work as a fisheries technician. Troy spent three field seasons in Green River and gained valuable experience working for Game and Fish fisheries biologists. With some experience under his belt, Troy relocated to Illinois and was accepted into the masters program at Southern Illinois University in 2013. Troy spent the next two years studying catfish recruitment on the Mississippi River before earning his Masters Degree in the spring of 2015. Graduation was followed in rapid succession by the next big step in Troy’s life. During the summer of 2015, Troy married his college sweetheart and native of Rock Springs, Chelsea.

Troy and Chelsea currently live in Rock Springs and enjoy spending time outdoors with family, friends, and their yellow lab Duke. Leisure time is filled with fishing, hunting, and camping trips. Troy and Chelsea also enjoy gardening and sports.