Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report

Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report

09/13/2024

The Madison and Gibbon River are FULLY OPEN to fishing now. The Firehole River has a Hoot Owl restriction and closes to fishing at 2pm. Click here for the most up to date closure in Yellowstone National Park.

Remember that you CANNOT have felt boots, barbed hooks, or lead in the park. Keep your wits about you when fishing in the park and carry bear spray. It is common to see Bison and Bears while fishing in the park.

This year, fishing will be open year-round for the first time on the Madison and Gardner River, other areas will close October 31st. You can buy a Yellowstone National Park Fishing License HERE.

Firehole River: Open to fishing, closed to fishing after 2pm. As fall begins to set in, swinging flies becomes a very productive way to find fish. It can be a great day in the park to start the day of swinging and then transitioning to dry flies for the bulk of the day and then swinging again in the evening time. Soft hackle nymphs and streamers are what we are mainly using but skating dry flies can be a great alternative.

Gibbon River: Open to fishing. The water level on the Gibbon is very low right now and the fish are pretty isolated to the deeper buckets and fast moving water so they can be pretty easy to find. Fishing a dry dropper has been the best way to find good numbers of fish. With the park being barbless, a dry dropper is best set up with a eye to eye connection between your two flies or if you tie your own flies, tying a tippet ring onto your dry hook to run a dropper off of can help a lot.

Madison River: Open to fishing. This is the place to hit if you plan on swinging flies. The wet fly fishing during the Fall can be incredible as fish begin to head upriver as the water begins to cool. Keep your flies relatively small and focus on the largest runs before making a change.

Gallatin River: Inside the park, the Gallatin has been fishing pretty well lately. There are great terrestrial dry fly opportunities right now. Using ants, beetles, and hoppers are great options for dry fly selection. Remember to crimp your barbs and fish lead free.

Dries: Chubby Chernnobyl #8-10 (gold, royal, purple), Parachute Adams #12-16 (para-wulff, sparkle, natural, and copper haze are variations we like to have in the box), Double Vision PMD #16-18, Sparkle Flag PMD #16-18, Hi-Vis Elk Hair Caddis #16-18, X Caddis #16-18 (tan, olive)

Nymphs: Pat's Rubberlegs #8-12(olive, tan, coffee), Nitro Caddis Pupa #14-16, Chewy Caddis #14-16, Perdigons(lite brite, green, pearl, black), Little Green Machine #14-18 (pheasant tail, green, gray), Lil Spanker #16-20 (purple, green, silver)

Park Fishing Licenses: Yellowstone National Park has implemented an online licensing service this year. You can buy a YNP license here. 

Looking for a Bozeman-based Montana fly fishing adventure? You’ve come to the right place! Our fly shop located one hour south of the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and a great many of our guides live within minutes of the airport we are an easy choice. Check out our guided fly fishing trips or if you’re looking for a lodging and fishing package. Feel free to email us at [email protected] or drop us a line at 406-995-2290. Open 7 days a week! 

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