Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report - September 18, 2025
Here's this week's Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report.
Mid-September is here, and the week ahead promises a beautiful stretch of quintessential autumn weather in Yellowstone: crisp mornings, warm and golden afternoons, and the possibility of moisture returning early next week. These are the kinds of conditions that make fall fishing in the Park truly special—and a bit more strategic.
To make the most of your day, it’s important to match your approach to the conditions and consider how different waters fish best at different times. For instance you might consider:
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Start your morning early on the Madison in the Park, where cool temps and low light set the stage for swinging soft hackles or streamers. This is also a great time to connect with one of the season’s early lake-run browns or rainbows making their way upstream from Hebgen.
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As the sun climbs higher and the day warms, head to the Northeast Corner. Slough Creek, Soda Butte, and the Lamar River can offer excellent early afternoon hatches of Baetis or the season's final Hecuba Drakes, especially under cloudy skies. If the weather cooperates, this is also one of your last chances to fool a Yellowstone Cutthroat with a well-placed hopper or ant.
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As evening sets in and light begins to soften, consider wrapping up your day back on the Madison for another swing session, or head to the Firehole River, where evening caddis hatches can still bring fish to the surface in the classic flatwater stretches.
This is a time of shifting gears—from summer’s terrestrial games to fall’s technical dry fly hatches and streamer swings. The fish are active, the scenery is stunning, and the days are made for those willing to stay flexible and change games as the conditions dictate.
