News Release

Update: Madison, Gibbon rivers in Yellowstone National Park now open to fishing

Map of Yellowstone rivers indicating fishing closures.

NPS

News Release Date: August 28, 2024

Contact: Morgan Warthin, [phone]

Update: Madison, Gibbon rivers in Yellowstone National Park now open to fishing

Firehole River opens with partial restrictions

Date of release: August 28, 2024

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY - Effective immediately, the Madison and Gibbon rivers in Yellowstone National Park are open to fishing. The park has lifted the fishing closures on these rivers and their associated tributaries due to cooler water temperatures.

The Firehole River, being strongly influenced by geothermal features, is now open to fishing with partial restrictions. The river and its associated tributaries will be closed to fishing daily from 2 p.m. to sunrise the following day.

Please study the revised map for current fishing closures. Read the Fishing Regulations 2024 Booklet for more information.

Staff will continue to monitor the Firehole River and its tributaries, watch weather forecasts and reopen them to fishing when conditions allow.
 

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Update: Partial fishing closures on rivers and streams lifted in Yellowstone National Park

Full closures remain in effect on geothermally influenced streams

Date of release: August 14, 2024

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY - Effective immediately, the partial fishing closures on select rivers and streams in Yellowstone National Park have been lifted and are now open. The full closures on rivers and streams that are strongly influenced by geothermal features will remain in effect at this time.

Which rivers and streams have reopened to fishing during normal hours, sunrise to sunset?

• Lamar River downstream of Cache Creek to its confluence with the Yellowstone River
• Soda Butte Creek (the entire creek)
• Slough Creek (the entire creek)
• Yellowstone River from Tower Junction north to the park boundary
• Gardner River downstream of Osprey Falls north to the park boundary
• Snake River from Forest Creek south to the park boundary

Which rivers and streams continue to have full fishing closures?
The following rivers are heavily influenced by geothermal features and do not adequately cool off at night.

• Madison River and all associated tributaries
• Firehole River and all associated tributaries
• Gibbon River and all associated tributaries downstream of Norris Campground

Read the Fishing Regulations 2024 Booklet for more information.

Staff will continue to monitor these park rivers and streams, watch weather forecasts and reopen them to fishing when conditions allow.
 

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Update: Additional fishing closures in Yellowstone National Park due to warm water temperatures and low river flows

Date of release: July 23, 2024

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY –  Effective Friday, July 26, 2024, the following Yellowstone National Park rivers and streams will close to fishing daily from 2 p.m. to sunrise the following day due to predicted warm-water temperatures and unprecedented low river flows that are lethal to trout.

Which rivers and streams will be closed daily from 2 p.m. to sunrise the following day?
Water temperatures on the following rivers and creeks cool off at night, allowing for fishing for part of the day.

• Lamar River downstream of Cache Creek to its confluence with the Yellowstone River.
• Soda Butte Creek (the entire creek).
• Slough Creek (the entire creek).
• Yellowstone River from Tower Junction north to the park boundary.
• Gardner River downstream of Osprey Falls north to the park boundary.
• Snake River from Forest Creek south to the park boundary.

Which rivers have full fishing closures?
The following rivers are heavily influenced by geothermal features and do not cool off at night.

• Madison River and all associated tributaries.
• Firehole River and all associated tributaries.
• Gibbon River and all associated tributaries downstream of Norris Campground.

Water temperatures are at or are predicted to exceed 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), and flows on many rivers, streams and creeks are at historic lows. These conditions are extremely stressful to fish and can be fatal. The closures will be reassessed when water temperatures cool and flows return to more typical summer conditions.

Staff will continue to monitor park rivers and streams and watch weather forecasts. The extended forecast calls for continued hot and dry conditions which contribute to continued low stream flows and warm-water temperatures.

Additional closures or restrictions may be implemented if necessary.

What is open?

• Yellowstone Lake and other lakes will remain open to fishing from sunrise to sunset as specified in the Fishing Regulations 2024 booklet.
• All other rivers and streams not listed as closed.

Anglers: Please fish during the coolest times of day and land fish quickly. Do not play hooked trout to exhaustion. Gently handle fish in the water as much as possible and let them recover before release. Your cooperation will protect the park’s fisheries.
 

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Warm water temperatures and low river flows prompt fishing closures in Yellowstone

Additional closures possible in coming days

Date of release: July 12, 2024

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY - Effective Monday, July 15, 2024, select Yellowstone National Park rivers will close to fishing due to warm water temperatures and low river flows. This closure will protect the park’s native and wild trout fisheries and remain in effect until conditions improve. 

What will be closed? 

• The Madison River and all associated tributaries.  

• The Firehole River and all associated tributaries. 

• The Gibbon River and all associated tributaries downstream of Norris Campground.  

• The closure will be reassessed when water temperatures cool and flows return to more typical summer conditions. 

• Staff will continue to monitor park rivers and streams for warm temperatures and low flows, and watch weather forecasts. The extended forecast calls for continued hot and dry conditions with a slight chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms, which contribute to continued low stream flows and warm-water temperatures. 

• Additional closures or restrictions may be implemented if necessary.  

What will be open? 

• Yellowstone Lake and other lakes will remain open to fishing from sunrise to sunset as specified in the Fishing Regulations 2024 booklet. 

• All other rivers and streams not listed as closed.  

Water temperatures have exceeded 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) in recent days and flows on many rivers, streams and creeks are low. These conditions are extremely stressful to fish and can be fatal.  

Anglers: Please fish during the coolest times of day and land fish quickly. Do not play hooked trout to exhaustion. Gently handle fish in the water as much as possible and let them recover before release. Your cooperation will protect the park’s fisheries.