YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — On Wednesday morning, Yellowstone National Park (YNP) announced that it is lifting the fishing restrictions put in place on July 29 when water temperatures ran high and flows ran low.
The park had closed all rivers and streams to angling daily from 2 p.m. to sunrise.
“Cooling weather and water temperatures in the forecast allow for these restrictions to be lifted,” YNP’s statement reads. “Anglers will be able to fish on most park rivers, streams and lakes daily from sunrise to sunset as specified in the 2026 Fishing Regulations booklet.”
Full closures to the Madison, Firehole and Gibbon rivers implemented in mid-July remain in effect until further notice. YNP noted that those three rivers run warmer “due to the influence of nearby geothermal areas that increase water temperatures.”
Anglers are advised to fish at the coolest times of the day and to land fish quickly. They should not play hooked trout to exhaustion. Handle fish gently in the water and let them recover before releasing them.
“Your cooperation will protect the park’s fisheries and may prevent the need to prohibit fishing at all times of the day on some rivers and streams if conditions worsen,” YNP stated.
