Fish in Yellowstone's Southeast

Includes the Yellowstone River upstream of Chittenden Bridge near Canyon, Yellowstone Lake and its tributaries, Middle Creek of the North Fork Shoshone River.

Yellowstone River

Yellowstone River opens July 1.

Permanently Closed to Fishing on the Yellowstone River

• Fishing Bridge and an area one mile (1.6 km) downstream (toward Canyon) and 1/4 mile (.4 km) upstream (toward Yellowstone Lake)
• The Yellowstone River 100 yards (91 m) up- and downstream of LeHardys Rapids.
• The Yellowstone River and its tributaries in Hayden Valley from the confluence of Alum Creek upstream to Sulphur Cauldron.

Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake opens with the general season.

Streams flowing into Yellowstone Lake, its tributaries, and areas within 100 yards (91 m) of each stream’s outlet open July 15. Access to many areas is restricted by Bear Management Area Closures, see the Yellowstone Backcountry Trip Planner for details.

Permanently Closed to Fishing along Yellowstone Lake

• The shoreline of Yellowstone Lake from West Thumb Geyser Basin to Little Thumb Creek is closed to protect fragile thermal resources.
• Bridge Bay Marina/Harbor and Grant Village Marina/Harbor and their channels to the lake.
• Pelican Creek from its mouth to a point two miles (3.2 km) upstream.

Possession Limits

Native Trout Conservation Area

• Catch and release all native fish.
• No possession limit on nonnative fish. All lake trout must be killed.

 

Where to take young anglers

• Lake Village: Along Gull Point Drive or at Sand Point.
• Grant: Aster Creek near Lewis Falls; Lewis Lake shoreline; Yellowstone Lake shoreline near Grant Marina.

 

Park biologists are conducting a study to determine native cutthroat trout movement patterns and population size in Yellowstone Lake. Park biologists attach a floy tag near the fish’s dorsal fin. The tags are typically orange or yellow in color and have a unique identification number.

If you catch a tagged cutthroat:

1. Record the tag number (photo or written) and release the fish unharmed.
2. Note the location the fish was caught.
3. Call or text 406-404-4877 and report the tag number and location of catch.
4. If the fish accidentally died, please include that detail in your report.

 

 

Why can’t we fish from Fishing Bridge?

Fishing Bridge, situated over a cutthroat trout spawning area, was once a popular place to fish. Declining numbers of cutthroat trout caused park officials to close the bridge to fishing to protect the spawning fish.

 

Accessible Ramp & Platform

An accessible fishing area is located at the Grant Village boat launch.