As June draws to a close and we head into July, Yellowstone National Park is entering its prime fishing season. Most, if not all, of our favorite fisheries in the park will fish well over the next few weeks. These long, beautiful days are the perfect time to explore the park with a fly rod in hand.

The Gallatin River is really hitting its stride right now with Salmonflies, caddis, and PMDs bringing eager trout to the surface. Be on the lookout for Green Drakes in the late mornings and early afternoons. Flavs could also make an appearance in the evenings, especially if a thunderstorm pops up.

On the other side of the range, the Gardner River is also fishing very well. Prospecting the pocket water sections around Mammoth with salmonfly and golden stone imitations is a great strategy and can produce some surprising fish.

Up in the northeast corner of the park, Slough Creek, Soda Butte Creek, and the Lamar River are slowly waking up and are worth exploring. Water clarity on the Lamar is still improving as the last remnants of runoff and last week’s storm clear out. The first hatches of PMDs, caddis, and green drakes should begin as water temperatures continue to warm over the upcoming week.

The iconic Caldera Stretch of the Yellowstone River opens on July 1. Flows are currently running just above 3,000 cfs, and they are gradually falling, making for very fishable conditions. Expect salmonflies, PMDs, and Caddis for the opener, with the first green drake hatches not far behind.

Hoot Owl Restrictions in Effect:

Due to an overabundance of caution, the Park Service has kept in place Hoot Owl angling restrictions on the Firehole, Madison, and Gibbon Rivers. Fishing on these rivers is closed daily from 2:00 p.m. until sunrise the following morning. This unprecedented early-season move reflects how quickly water temperatures have climbed into the stress zone for trout.

We recommend giving the Madison River in YNP a complete break for now. Even early in the day, water temps are creeping beyond safe levels, and those fish deserve a rest until cooler weather returns in the fall.

For the Firehole and Gibbon, consider fishing only the furthest upstream stretches, where cooler water persists. Specifically, focus on the meadows below Biscuit Basin on the Firehole, or the upper meadow sections of the Gibbon.

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.

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!