Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report
Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report
9/26/2025
There's just a little over one month left in the season for fishing in Yellowstone National Park, with all rivers back open it is time to get to fishing. You can buy a Yellowstone National Park Fishing License
HERE.
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.
Firehole River: We should start seeing some pretty good dry fly action with emerging baetis soon and the Firehole should be a good place to target some rising fish.
Gibbon River: Similar to the Firehole, the time of throwing small mayfly dries to rising fish is fast approaching, and when the weather complies it should already be going on.
Madison River: Migratory fish coming out of Hebgen Lake may just be beginning to start their pilgrimage into the park. It is time to grab a spey rod and swing some soft hackle patterns or streamers on the Madison. If that isn't your style there should be some baetis hatches that start to increase in frequency and density.
Gallatin River: Cold mornings in the park on the Gallatin keep you from needing to wake up at the crack of dawn to go fishing. Late in the afternoon you can still make a day out of throwing a hopper dropper, just be sure to move slowly as to avoid spooking fish with low water levels.
Dries: Chubby Chernnobyl #8-10 (gold, royal, purple), Mini Flopper (Tan) #12, Carlson's Olive Haze #14, Rio's Blade Runner (Gold, Pink, Tan) #10-12, Thunder Thighs Hopper (Tan, Yellow) #12-14
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.
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