Here's this week's Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report. 

Explore the Backcountry 

As we enter the second week of August, it's officially prime time to explore the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park. Trails have dried out, the peak of the biting fly season has passed, and meadows are alive with the buzzing and clicking of terrestrial insects. For anglers willing to lace up their boots and hike into remote waters, few places offer more rewarding opportunities than Yellowstone.

We’ll leave the joy of discovering these hidden gems to you—that’s half the fun, after all. But rest assured, all of our favorite fisheries in the Park begin somewhere in the backcountry. A little time spent poring over a map of these headwaters is almost guaranteed to lead to memorable fishing.

So grab your pack, lace up, and hit the trail. Backcountry fishing in Yellowstone is as much about the journey as it is the fish.

Backcountry Essentials

Whenever you venture into the wilds of Yellowstone, be prepared. The backcountry is as beautiful as it is unforgiving. Here’s a basic checklist of essential gear to keep you safe and comfortable:

• Bear spray (and the knowledge to use it)
• Water and/or a water filter
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Rain jacket
• Extra warm layer (like a lightweight puffy)
• Simple first aid kit
• Emergency snacks
• Map (digital or printed—and know how to use it)

Front Country Standouts this Week

Northeast Corner – Slough, Soda Butte & Lamar

The Cutthroat Corner continues to be great place to find consistent dry fly fishing with terrestrials like hoppers, ants, and spruce moths. Keep an eye out for hatches of PMD's, especially when clouds roll in during the afternoon, and be prepared to match these mayflies with imitations from size #16 down to size #20. 

Yellowstone River – Caldera Stretch

Be on the lookout for a bison carcass along the river in Hayden Valley that has drawn the attention of a bore grizzly bear and members of the wapiti wolf pack.

The Caldera stretch of the Yellowstone continues to provide dry fly opportunities in the mornings and evenings. As drake spinner falls begin to wind down be prepared to find fish selectively feeding on PMD's, and ready to rise to hoppers and ants. 

Gallatin River

The parade of hatches is coming to an end on the park section of the Gallatin River, but fish have been more than willing to rise to well presented hoppers and ants. Spruce Moths are present in a few stretches though not nearly as abundant as they are in the lower canyon section below Big Sky.

Warm water temperatures and low river flows prompt fishing closures on select Park waters.

Effective Saturday, July 12, 2025, 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.

These rivers naturally experience high water temps in summer as they drain the thermal basins of Yellowstone. We’re glad to see the Park Service taking proactive steps to give these beloved fisheries a rest during the warmest part of the season. Cooler days will return soon enough, and we’ll be back on these waters come fall.

Currently, these are the only waters in the park under restriction, but conditions can change quickly. Be sure to stay tuned for updates from the Park Service here.

Fish More, Stress Less- Tips for Summertime Visits to Yellowstone

We're in the throws of peak tourist season in Yellowstone. Millions of visitors flock to the world’s first National Park every summer, and crowded roadways are to be expected. If you’re planning to head in for a day of fishing, we have a few tips to make your visit as enjoyable as possible.

START EARLY.

We can’t stress enough the value of an early start to your fishing day in the park even if the Hatch are hoping to find won’t begin until 10 or 11 AM it’s worth getting through the gate in West Yellowstone before 7 AM.

GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME, AND BE PATIENT.

Traveling through Yellowstone during peak tourist season can be a slow affair. Be sure to give yourself some extra time to reach your destination so you’re not sitting in a Bison jam while the hatch of the century is rolling off your favorite fishery.

STAY LATE.

Whenever possible, plan to spend the whole day in the park. Pack a bunch of food, some chairs, and your favorite beverages. There are tons of great picnic areas and vistas to enjoy a picnic dinner while you wait for the evening rush of traffic to leave the park. Evening fishing is also pretty good on most of our favorite fisheries.

BE A TOURIST.

Even if you have been in the park a million times, and you’re just on a mission to fish your favorite hatch on your preferred water, take some time to look around. Check out the visitors centers. Grab an ice cream cone. Go gawk at the Upper Falls. There’s a good reason millions of people come back to Yellowstone year after year.

As always, check in with the shop for the latest conditions, fly recommendations, and river updates. We’re here to help you stay dialed in for your next adventure!