Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report - October 9, 2025
Here's this week's Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report.
While the federal government is currently in a shutdown, Yellowstone National Park remains open. Roads, trails, and rivers are accessible to the public, though some visitor services may be limited. For anglers, that means it's still full steam ahead for fall fishing in the Park.
October is hitting its stride in Yellowstone, and the Park is delivering exactly what we hope for this time of year: cold mornings, golden afternoons, and moody, scuzzy weather systems rolling through at just the right pace.
After a gloriously scuzzy weekend, this past week brought a stretch of clear skies and crisp autumn weather. But now, with another storm system on the way, we’re shifting gears again—cloud cover, cooler temps, and moisture are expected to return just in time to fire back up fall Baetis hatches, migratory trout movement, and the kind of fishing that defines October in the Park.
From swinging soft hackles and streamers on the Madison, to watching noses slowly poke through the film in the Lamar Valley, to reach casts with #22 dries on the Firehole, it’s all in play. Just three weeks remain in the Yellowstone fishing season—so now’s the time to make each day count.
Firehole River
Last weekend’s gray skies, cool temps, and steady moisture created exactly the kind of conditions the Firehole is famous for in the fall. The result? Strong afternoon Baetis hatches throughout much of the river, with trout rising consistently in classic Firehole fashion.
The upcoming weekend and the following week are shaping up to be just as promising. With more scuzzy weather on the way, anglers can expect continued Baetis activity—perhaps even better than what we’ve just seen. Pack your 5X–6X tippets and a good assortment of #20–22 Baetis cripples and duns, as presentation is key here.
These conditions represent the Firehole at its autumn best—low light, cool water, and small mayflies bringing wild trout to the surface amidst roaming bison and geysers. If you’ve been waiting for a window to experience the Firehole’s fall magic, this is it.
Madison River (in YNP)
Each day, more fish are sliding into the Madison system from Hebgen Lake, and the momentum is building. With a consistent stretch of low light, cool temps, and moisture in the forecast, we’re optimistic this trend will continue—and that the bite will only get better.
These are the kinds of conditions that encourage migratory fish to move confidently upstream, and when that happens, they’re often more aggressive and more willing to eat. Whether you're swinging soft hackles, throwing streamers, or dead-drifting larger nymphs, now is the time to cover water and keep your fly in the zone. The next couple of weeks are shaping up to be a prime window for intercepting these fish as they push through the system.
Northeast Corner – Slough, Soda Butte & Lamar
The window of opportunity is closing quickly in the Cutthroat Corner of Yellowstone. With daytime highs dropping into the 40s next week, it may finally be time to start shifting your efforts toward the relatively warmer waters on the western side of the Park, the Firehole, Madison, and Gibbon Rivers.
That said, for those still hoping to squeeze in one last shot at rising cutthroat before the season wraps, there’s still a sliver of opportunity. Your best bet will be during the warmest part of the day, typically mid-afternoon, when a bump in temperature can trigger some surface activity.
Keep an eye out for Baetis hatches, and be ready with small emerger and dun patterns in the #20–22 range. Long leaders, fine tippet, and delicate presentations are the name of the game at this late stage in the season.
The fish may be fewer and more selective, but if you catch it right, there's still some magic to be found among the golden willows and snowy peaks.
