Enjoy These Prime Places to Fish in Yellowstone National Park
It may seem counterintuitive at first, considering that national parks exist primarily to preserve native species and environments, but Yellowstone National Park is a prime fishing destination.
In fact, some people who visit Yellowstone make the trip exclusively so they can enjoy the fishing. Out of the approximately four million people who visit America’s first national park annually, about 50,000 of them bring a fishing pole.
If you’re thinking about fishing in Yellowstone, it’s vital that you review the numerous fishing rules and regulations before you schedule your trip. Not only can violations land you in hot water with the park rangers, but you could also cause harm to the ecosystem if you aren’t careful.
Remember, all your fishing gear must be lead-free, and everyone over the age of 16 needs a fishing permit. Check out the latest fee information for fishing in Yellowstone.
Ready to go fishing in one of the most pristine areas on the planet? Check out our list of the top three places to fish in Yellowstone National Park.
Firehole River
Flyfishing fanatics will want to start their Yellowstone angling adventure at the Firehole River in the western part of the park. It’s one of the most popular places to fish in Yellowstone, and it’s only open for flyfishing using artificial flies.
All native fish are catch and release in Yellowstone, and you can’t use barbed hooks anywhere in the park. There’s no limit on nonnative fish, but keep in mind that the Firehole River falls within the park’s Nonnative Trout Tolerance Area.
What does that mean? Well, in short, all rainbow and brown trout are catch and release, but you can keep up to five brook trout.
The Firehole River is permanently closed to fishing in the area between the road bridge half a mile upstream of Old Faithful and the road bridge at Biscuit Basin.
The permanent closure on the Firehole River also applies to the area within 200 yards on either side of the Midway footbridge.
If you’ve got a younger angler traveling with you, be sure to take them to one of the picnic areas along the Firehole River, as these are great places for the kiddos.
Yellowstone River
Running south through the Hayden Valley to Yellowstone Lake, the Yellowstone River is one of those can’t-miss places to fish in Yellowstone for any serious angler visiting the park.
You can fish the river as early as July 1 each year. It’s a great place to catch the iconic cutthroat trout, but again, it’s completely catch and release as far as this native species is concerned.
You can fish the river anywhere in the park except for these permanent closure areas:
- The Yellowstone River and all tributaries between Alum Creek and Sulphur Cauldron.
- Fishing Bridge, as well as one mile downstream and a quarter-mile upstream.
- 100 yards in either direction of LeHardys Rapids.
- From Chittenden Bridge near Canyon through the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to a spot right below Silver Cord Cascade.
This river is an excellent destination because of the cutthroat trout. You might have a tough time picking your favorite fish in Yellowstone, but it’s difficult to argue that the cutthroat isn’t king in this park.
While we’re talking about the Yellowstone River, if you have the opportunity and means, it’s well worth getting onto Yellowstone Lake for some fishing.
Yellowstone Lake is one of the most fun places to fish in Yellowstone because you’re required to keep any nonnative lake trout you catch. It’s also a great place to catch those cutthroat, and experiencing the park on the water like this is certainly a unique experience.
Slough Creek
Because this is so far off the beaten path, your best bet is to camp at one of the nearby established campgrounds and make a weekend of this area.
Check the latest reports, but generally speaking, this is one of the very best places to fish in Yellowstone, especially if you’re after cutthroat trout.
Again, you must release cutthroats, but any brook trout, rainbow trout and identifiable cutthroat/rainbow trout hybrids must be killed.
You can identify these hybrids by the white tips on their anal and paired pelvic fins. The mandatory kill rule applies to the entire Lamar River drainage, to include all lakes and tributaries, as well as the Yellowstone River between Lower Falls and Knowles Falls, and its north-side tributaries.
Remember that if you catch a smallmouth bass anywhere in the park, you must kill and report it.
Before you visit the park and hit these prime places to fish in Yellowstone, have a look at our helpful guide to being a responsible Yellowstone visitor.
