MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. — Yellowstone National Park (YNP) announced that select rivers in the park will be closed to anglers due to warm water temperatures and low river flows, starting on Saturday, July 12.
The Madison River, the Firehole River and the Gibbon River downstream of Norris Campground, along with all associated tributaries, will remain closed until further notice. The closure will be reassessed when water temperatures cool and flows return to “more typical summer conditions.” In June, YNP limited fishing activities on all three rivers from sunrise to 2 p.m.
According to YNP, water temperatures have exceeded 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) in recent days and flows on many rivers, streams and creeks are low. These conditions are extremely stressful to fish and can be fatal.
“This closure will protect the park’s native and wild trout fisheries and remain in effect until conditions improve,” YNP said in the announcement.
Park staff will continue to monitor park rivers and streams, and watch weather forecasts. 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, YNP wrote in the announcement. Additional river closures or restrictions could be implemented if necessary.
On rivers, streams and creeks that remain open or unrestricted, anglers are to fish during the coolest times of day and must land fish quickly.
“Do not play hooked trout to exhaustion,” YNP wrote. “Gently handle fish in the water as much as possible and let them recover before release. Your cooperation will protect the park’s fisheries.”
Unrestricted rivers, Yellowstone Lake and other lakes will remain open to fishing from sunrise to sunset as specified in the Fishing Regulations 2025 booklet.
