MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. — Effective immediately, select rivers and streams that had been previously closed due to high water temperatures and low flows in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) will partially reopen to fishing due to recent cooler temperatures and rainfall.
YNP wrote via press release that water temperatures on the Madison River and all associated tributaries, the Firehole River and all associated tributaries and the Gibbon River and all associated tributaries downstream of Norris Campground have cooled off at night, allowing for fishing for part of the day. These waterways will remain closed daily from 2 p.m. to sunrise the following day because water temperatures continue to exceed 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) in recent days.
“These conditions are lethal to trout, and the partial closure will protect the park’s native and wild trout fisheries and will remain in effect until conditions improve,” YNP wrote.
According to YNP, Yellowstone Lake and other lakes will remain open to fishing from sunrise to sunset as specified in the 2025 Fishing Regulations booklet. Park staff will continue to monitor water temperatures. Closures could be lifted if water temperatures adequately cool or be reinstated if temperatures rise.
YNP requests that anglers fish during the coolest times of day and land fish quickly. Anglers are to handle fish gently, allowing them to recover before release.
“Do not play hooked trout to exhaustion,” YNP wrote. “Your cooperation will protect the park’s fisheries.”
