YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — Select rivers in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) will be closed to anglers beginning on Monday, July 15, due to warm water temperatures and low river flows, the park announced on Friday.
The Madison River and Firehole River, along with all associated tributaries, will be closed to fishing activities. The Gibbon River and its associate tributaries downstream of Norris Campground will also be closed. Accessibility will be reassessed when water temperatures cool off and river flows return to more typical summer conditions, according to YNP.
YNP said the closure will protect native and wild trout fisheries in the park. The closure will remain in effect “until conditions improve,” and additional closures are possible in the coming days.
“Staff will continue to monitor park rivers and streams for warm temperatures and low flows, and watch weather forecasts,” YNP said via press release. “The extended forecast calls for continued hot and dry conditions with a slight chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms, which contribute to continued low stream flows and warm-water temperatures.”
Lakes remain open to fishing, along with park rivers and streams not listed above.
According to YNP, warm conditions are “extremely stressful” for the park’s resident fish, and can be fatal. Water temperatures have topped 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the recent heat wave, and low flows have been measured in the park’s rivers, streams and creeks.
Anglers are asked to fish during the coolest times of the day, and to land fish quickly.
“Do not play hooked trout to exhaustion,” YNP advises. “Gently handle fish in the water as much as possible and let them recover before release. Your cooperation will protect the park’s fisheries.”
Learn more about fishing in the park here.
