The big news in YNP this week is the lifting of Hoot Owl restrictions.

Effective immediately, the partial fishing closures on select rivers and streams in Yellowstone National Park have been lifted and are now open. The full closures on rivers and streams that are strongly influenced by geothermal features will remain in effect at this time.

Which rivers and streams have reopened to fishing during normal hours, sunrise to sunset?

• Lamar River downstream of Cache Creek to its confluence with the Yellowstone River
• Soda Butte Creek (the entire creek)
• Slough Creek (the entire creek)
• Yellowstone River from Tower Junction north to the park boundary
• Gardner River downstream of Osprey Falls north to the park boundary
• Snake River from Forest Creek south to the park boundary

Which rivers and streams continue to have full fishing closures?
The following rivers are heavily influenced by geothermal features and do not adequately cool off at night.

• Madison River and all associated tributaries
• Firehole River and all associated tributaries
• Gibbon River and all associated tributaries downstream of Norris Campground

Please see the revised map for current fishing closures.

The Gallatin River continues to be a standout with clear cold flows, and actively feeding fish. Hoppers, ants, caddis, and bwo's should be in your dry fly box, and small tungsten perdigon style nymphs should be in the dropper box. 

We've seen quite a bit of rain this week, and water conditions on the Lamar River in the Northeast Corner remain high and off-color. Expect to see these conditions improve over the coming days, but keep an eye on flows HERE, or give us a shout in the shop for the most up to date report on clarity and fishing. 

Soda Butte Creek and Slough Creek, now fully open, have clear water and good dry fly options this week. Expect to see fish looking for hoppers, ants, and small mayflies. 

With Hoot Owl restriction lifted, the Gardner River is also worth a session prospecting the pocket water sections near Mammoth Hot Springs with Hoppers. 

As we dry out slightly in the coming days, look to see the return of morning mayfly spinner falls, and afternoon flights of grasshoppers on the Yellowstone River in the caldera stretch between Chittenden Bridge and the limit below Fishing Bridge.