Fishing Season reopens in Yellowstone Park on Memorial Day Weekend. Until that time we are left to watch the snow pile up and plan for the upcoming season.

When the Park first opens for fishing, the Firehole River is often one of the few clear streams and has the first good hatches of the year. Traditional wet fly fishing and nymphing are productive, but most anglers prowl the Firehole to fish dries. Rising fish can be found on the opener when Baetis and a variety of Caddis are on the water. PMD’s often begin hatching right around opening day, and this fine hatch is the mainstay of the Firehole’s surface fishing until mid to late June when the water begins to warm and other fisheries supplant the Firehole as the best destination in the Park.

The Madison and Gibbon are the next rivers to come into shape and there are years when fine fishing can be found as soon as the Park is open. By late June the Gardiner and its tributaries are usually in shape and the Gallatin in Yellowstone is dropping and clearing. These rivers all provide good fishing throughout late June and July.

The rivers in the Northeast Corner of Yellowstone are among the last to clear and drop into shape.  Most years the Fourth of July is a good starting point for finding clear water, but one should keep an eye on snowpack as this can vary by several weeks. Slough Creek is often the first fishable Lamar tributary. The Lamar and Soda Butte take longer to drop and clear than Slough Creek and are also much more prone to going out with rain. Dirty water can greet a fisherman anytime throughout the season if any rain has fallen. However, the Lamar and Soda Butte offer some of the best front country fishing in the Park when they are clear.

The Yellowstone River opens below Yellowstone Lake on July 15th. The River between Fishing Bridge and Hayden Valley was recently one of the best trout fisheries in the world. Cutthroat numbers have plummeted in recent years and visiting anglers are often shocked by the lack of fish in this section of the Yellowstone compared to what it was ten years ago. Lake Trout predation in Yellowstone Lake, Whirling Disease and low water seemingly are the three factors to blame on this fishery’s decline. The Yellowstone does still have some trout in it however, and these fish are larger now than ever before. It is no longer a numbers fishery, but it is a place to stalk a big rising cutthroat or two and catching a 20 inch Cutthroat on a dry is within the realm of possibility. However, many feel that the river should be closed to fishing to place as little stress on the remaining fish as possible, and they may very well be right. Is fishing the Yellowstone ethical? That is for you to decide.

There are countless other places to fish for trout inside of Yellowstone Park. Lakes, small streams and backcountry rivers all offer anglers a chance for less pressured fish and greater solitude inside our first National Park. This season in Yellowstone will have some excellent fishing.

We have seen some nice fish come out of the Madison in the Park.  The fishing is never consistent and this year is no exception to that rule, but when you get into a few big lake runs, the time spent trying to catch them seems of little consequence.  Don’t expect to wail on fish every day and appreciate every lake fish you get, whether you catch one in a day or more.

Firehole River

This is a great time to be fishing on the Firehole. With more visiting anglers targeting lake runs, one can have a grand old time fishing dry flies to some very challenging fish up on the Firehole.  Baetis hatches usually start between noon and two and often go past four.  Fish rising in the flats can be terribly tough to fool.  Emergers and realistic Dun patterns in #22 are a good place to start.  Just make sure you are getting a really good drift.

Gibbon River

There are a decent number of lake fish in the Gibbon River below the falls right now.  Fishing streamers is probably the most fun way to cover this little stream, though some of the deeper runs are worth drifting some nymphs through.

Slough Creek

Slough is very low.  If a hatch of olives or midges comes off, the fish can be catchable but sight fishing is pretty tough without a hatch.

Lamar River

The Lamar is seeing some insects late in the day and still has enough water to fish.  A parachute Adams has been pretty effective late in the day.   Soda Butte is very low and the few remaining fish in it should probably be left alone for the season.

Gallatin River

Things on the Gallatin in the Park have really slowed down.  There are some Baetis in the afternoons to get some fish working.  Aside from that, nymphing some of the deeper runs or fishing streamers along the banks can be a good way to pass the time until the hatch.

Hebgen Lake-Quake Lake

Between the lakes is fishing pretty well.  Buggers, Silli Leg Stones, Red Serendipities, Copper Johns and Pheasant Tails have all been good flies when paired with a decent presentation.  Streamer fishing when the sun is off the water has dredged up a few nice browns  and there are some fish rising to Baetis if one looks closely in the afternoon.

Quake Lake-Lyon Bridge

We’ve had some excellent Baetis dry fly fishing in some of the flatter pockets below Quake Lake.  Most days the bugs get going after 2:00 pm and the hatch can last for a few hours.  The small duns and emergers are tough to see, but this adds to the challenge.  #18-22 imitations are the best.  Sneak as close to the fish as possible and make sure your first cast results in a good drift.

Lyon Bridge to Ennis

There aren’t too many boats down on the Madison and we are seeing some pretty good fishing.  There are good Baetis hatches, which normally make for a good nymph bite on small nymphs after noon.  Streamer fishing is less consistent but can be a lot of fun this time of year.

Gallatin River

There are some good Baetis hatches on the Gallatin in the late afternoons.  Fish key in on the small insects in flat water, often close to the banks.  Be careful not to wade through these fish when trying to find fish to stalk.  Nymphs are effective when the dries aren’t happening, especially Baetis style nymphs like Olive Pheasant Tails and Micro Mays.

Hebgen Lake

A few folks fish streamers out on Hebgen this time of year and they catch some nice fish.  Give it a whirl, you can have much of the lake to yourself and a chance at a real trophy.

There are a fair number of Hebgen Lake fish in the Madison in the Park.  Fishing will continue to improve as we get further into fall, but there are certainly enough fish around to make it worth your time.  As more anglers begin to target the lake runs, it is important to remember to fish through pools and to enter water above other anglers.  Drifting at one spot is not only ineffective but in poor taste whether you are fishing streamers, soft hackles or nymphs.

Firehole River

There are good numbers of caddis up on the Firehole and anglers are also catching fish on terrestrials.  Water temps are staying in the acceptable range, though we  still don’t think fishing it in mid afternoon is such a good idea.  There have been baetis on cloudy days, but those days have been in short supply.

Gibbon River

Tossing attractors and terrestrials on the Gibbon certainly won’t show the fish anything novel this time of year, but if done well can make for a fun day of fishing.

Slough Creek

Drakes and Mahogany Duns have been out on Slough, but we have seen more consistent fishing with small terrestrials.  The fish are super picky this time of year and will not tolerate a sloppy approach or cast.

Lamar River

The Lamar and Soda Butte are still seeing a ton of traffic.  There have been caddis in the evenings and the usual attractors and small terrestrials will work just fine.  Don’t expect to find dumb cutthroat anymore as angling pressure has changed the way the fish behave.  Pretend you are fishing a spring creek and the fish should cooperate just fine.

Gallatin River

This is a great time to fish the Gallatin in the Park.  The afternoons are the time to be on the water as it kicks up a few degrees and the terrrestrials are much more active.  The fishing is pretty technical as the fish have gotten tough, but they can be fooled by a careful approach and a good cast.  Small attractor dries and the typical early fall hoppers and ants make for the best patterns.

Hebgen Lake-Quake Lake

Fishing has been decent between the lakes, but we are still looking at summer like conditions rather than typical fall fishing.  Cool nights are slowly dropping the water temps back to more ideal levels and the fishing should continue to improve as we get deeper into fall.  Early and late in the day are the best times for larger fish right now.

Quake Lake-Lyon Bridge

Both the nymph fishing in the mornings and the dry fly fishing in the afternoons has been pretty good.  The dry fly action usually has been getting going after noon when the fish start to key into attractors, baetis and terrestrials.

Lyon Bridge to Ennis

Floating the Madison has yeilded some nice fish, but it seems that one has to sort through a lot of smaller trout to find the big ones.  Dry fly fishing is still effective in the afternoons as there have been a fair number of Caddis and the fish will still eat a hopper if the sun is on the water.

Gallatin River

Enjoy the last bit of terrestrial fishing on the Gallatin.  Cool weather, if we ever get it will bring on some good baetis hatches which always seem to not only make for good dry fly fishing, but also a good nymph bite.  In the meantime, toss attractors and terrestrials to get fish to the surface.

Hebgen Lake

Fishing on Hebgen is slowing down for the season.  There aren’t many fish up on the surface.  Streamer fishing needs to wait until we hit some nastier weather but should be good when we get it.

Hebgen Lake-Quake Lake

Temps are still higher than prime between Hebgen and Quake, but the fishing has been pretty good.  Anglers have reported success on everything from Wooly Worms to Parachute Ants.  Mid day has been a little slow so plan to fish early and late in the day.

Quake Lake-Lyon Bridge

Afternoon and evening has been the best time to be in the wade section.  There still aren’t many folks around and the fish have been feeding well on hoppers and ants.  Early in the day, the fishing has been pretty slow, though we are finding a few fish that are willing to eat nymphs. 

Lyon Bridge to Ennis

Small fish have been on the bite on the Madison.  Larger fish have been fewer in number, but we are seeing a few each day.  Both dries and nymphs have been working well, though the fish are quite particular about the patterns they prefer.  Long floats make any fly more effective.

  Gallatin River

Dry fly fishing on the Gallatin has been pretty darn good this last little bit.  Trudes and Stimulators work great when the fish aren’t eating hoppers. 

Hebgen Lake

Our extended summer is making for great September Gulper fishing.  No need to hit the water early, but make sure to fish until the wind comes up strong.  Fish eat emergers early in the hatch and then switch to spinners most days after the spinners outnumber the duns.  Keep a few black and cinnamon flying ants ready.  Fish eat them well when available.  As always, the fish demand long accurate casts and are tough to land once hooked up, which of course is half of the fun.

There are some lake run browns and rainbows in the Madison in the Park.  Fishing isn’t nearly as awesome as it will be in a few more weeks, but there are a few less dudes out there messing with the fish than there will be over Columbus Day Weekend.  Fish hard early and late in the day and one can find a fish or two.  Cool weather looks to be a ways off, but when it comes, fishing should pick up considerably.

Firehole River

There are good numbers of Caddis up on the Firehole.  Water temps are staying in the acceptable range, though we don’t think fishing it in mid afternoon is such a good idea.  When things cool down we should start to see some Baetis.

Gibbon River

Tossing attractors and terrestrials on the Gibbon certainly won’t show the fish anything novel this time of year, but if done well can make for a fun day of fishing. 

Slough Creek

Toss a beetle around on Slough.  Do it well and some fish will eat it.  Get drag and watch the fish tell you to improve your skills.  As you are fishing your beetle, make sure to keep an eye out for Drakes.

Lamar River

Anglers heading to the Lamar this time of year always want to check the streamflow gauge before they commit to the drive as any storm can put the river out.  Stable weather makes for good fishing and we’ve seen plenty of nice fish that were interested in terrestrials recently.  Always keep a few Calf Wing Rusty Spinners in the box for fish that refuse a Hopper, Ant or Beetle.  Fishing spots that are a bit off of the beaten path makes for easier fish and usually, a more pleasant day.

Gallatin River

This is a great time to fish the Gallatin in the Park.  The afternoons are the time to be on the water as it kicks up a few degrees and the terrrestrials are much more active.  The fishing is pretty technical as the fish have gotten tough, but they can be fooled by a careful approach and a good cast.  Small attractor dries and the typical early fall hoppers and ants make for the best patterns.