Yellowstone National Park Fishing News / Updates
New measures in effect May 25, 2024, to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species into Yellowstone National Park
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2024 24-016
Morgan Warthin
(307) 344-2015
YELL_Public_Affairs@nps.gov
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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE
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New measures in effect May 25, 2024, to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species into Yellowstone National Park Boaters and anglers reminded to clean, drain, and dry.
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Yellowstone National Park will implement new measures to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) into park waters. The restrictions include a 30-day mandatory dry time for sailboats and some types of motorized boats before entering park waters and the prohibition of watercraft previously fouled by mussels regardless of dry time.
These restrictions will go into effect on Saturday, May 25, 2024, which is the first day of Yellowstone’s boating and fishing season. The season wraps up on Oct. 31 annually.
Yellowstone faces an increased risk of invasion by highly invasive zebra and quagga mussels following recent detections (2022 Pactola Reservoir in South Dakota; and 2023 Snake River in Twin Falls, Idaho) in waterways within a day’s drive of the park. Mussels have caused irreversible ecological damage and extensive impacts to infrastructure and recreation in waterways throughout the Midwestern and Eastern United States, as well as in the lower Colorado River Basin. In both 2022 and 2023, Yellowstone’s AIS inspectors intercepted and denied launch to mussel-fouled watercraft, highlighting the urgency and severity of the threat.
30-Day Dry Time
To protect park waters and respond to this threat, there will be a 30-day dry time requirement for sailboats and certain complex motorized boats (inboard, inboard/outboard and inboard jet) prior to launching. Large, complex, trailered watercraft pose the highest risk of transporting and introducing invasive mussels and other AIS because they are difficult to inspect and less likely to completely drain/dry or be fully decontaminated. Manual decontamination with the use of hot water is not always 100% effective in removing all mussels. A 30-day dry time will mitigate the risk.
Previously Fouled Watercraft
Watercraft (motorized or non-motorized) previously fouled by mussels, regardless of dry time, will be denied launch. The launch of fouled watercraft increases the chances of false mussel detection by routine environmental DNA monitoring of park waters. This could result in significant impacts to operations and public recreational opportunities. Prevention
These restrictions will build on existing protections, including the 2019 prohibition on watercraft equipped with sealed internal ballast tanks, as well as the 2022 prohibition of watercraft with evidence of live or dead mussels. Yellowstone National Park straddles the Continental Divide and is located at the headwaters of the Yellowstone, Snake, and Missouri River drainages which flow into the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean drainages. These proactive measures are required to ensure the long-term ecological integrity of park waters and downstream mussel-free waters in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Failure to prevent invasion by zebra and quagga mussels could result in widespread negative impacts to natural resources, recreational values and local businesses, and could undo over two decades of work to restore native Yellowstone cutthroat trout to the park. Prevention of an AIS introduction is critical because there are no effective eradication methods, and control/containment is both costly and environmentally consequential.
30-Day Public Comment Period
The park recently concluded a 30-day public comment period, and the majority of comments received were in favor of the restrictions and understand the increased threat and need to protect the park and downstream watersheds.
Clean, Drain, Dry
Boaters and anglers are reminded to clean, drain and dry all boats, trailers and equipment prior to arriving in the park to minimize the risk of introducing AIS into Yellowstone’s waters. Felt-soled footwear is banned because they can carry microscopic disease organisms even after cleaning.
Clean all plants, animals, mud, sand and other debris from your boat, anchor, boots and equipment. Use high-pressure, hot (120-140 F) water if possible.
Drain all water from your boat, including the motor, bilge, livewell and other compartments before you arrive. Leave drain plugs out during transport. Do not move water or organisms from one water body into another.
Dry all compartments and equipment in the sun for five days.
Clean, drain, and dry requirements are critical steps to protect the park’s and nation’s waterways.
More Information
Frequently Asked Questions about Yellowstone’s new restrictions
Permits and inspections
Boating
Fishing
AIS Management
AIS Ecology
Yellowstone National Park Fishing News / Updates
Yellowstone National Park expands access to allow for year-round fishing in two locations Public invited to join a virtual Native Fish Conservation Program update April 30th, 2024.
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Beginning Nov. 1, 2024, Yellowstone National Park will expand fishing access by allowing for year-round fishing opportunities at two locations in the park. These two locations are:
Madison River: The Madison River from the Wyoming/Montana state line downstream to the park boundary near the West Entrance in West Yellowstone, Montana.
Gardner River: The Gardner River from Osprey Falls downstream to the confluence with the Yellowstone River near the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana.
Other fishing areas in the park will continue to be available during the standard fishing season, which is from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Oct. 31 each year.
The 2024 Yellowstone annual fishing permit will be valid May 25 through Dec. 31, 2024. Beginning in 2025, the annual fishing permit will be valid for the calendar year, January through December.
Fish of Yellowstone National Park
There are twelve (12) native species in Yellowstone National Park (including three [3] species of cutthroat trout). The native species are: Arctic Grayling, Longnose Dace, Longnose Sucker, Mottled Sculpin, Mountain Sucker, Mountain Whitefish, Snake River Cutthroat (not a formally recognized subspecies), Redside Shiner, Redside Shiner x Speckled Dace Hybrid, Speckled Dace, Utah Chub, Utah Sucker, Westslope Cutthroat, and Yellowstone Cutthroat. The main purpose of the Yellowstone Fisheries Management is to maintain the health and contiuation of these species.
Index
| Yellowstone National Park Native Fish | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arctic Grayling |
Snake River Cutthroat |
Westslope Cutthroat |
Yellowstone Cutthroat |
Longnose Dace |
Longnose Sucker |
Mottled Sculpin |
| Mountain Sucker |
Mountain Whitefish |
Redside Shiner |
Redside Shiner x Speckled Dace |
Speckled Dace |
Utah Chub |
Utah Sucker |
There are five (5) non-native species and one (1) non-native hybrid species. These six species are: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout x Rainbow Trout Hybrid, Lake Chub, Lake Trout, and Rainbow Trout. Yellowstone Fisheries Management is working to control and regulate these non-native species. Lake Trout were illegally introduced to Yellowstone Lake and are having a devastating effect on the native Cutthroat Trout, which in turn affects the whole ecosystem including the wildlife (otters, eagles, bears, osprey, etc.) that have always relied on Cutthroat as a food source.
Non Native Fish
| Yellowstone National Park Non Native Fish | ||
|---|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Brown Trout | Lake Chub |
| Lake Trout | Rainbow Trout | Cutthroat Trout x Rainbow Trout |
This page contains pictures or graphics of all the fishes of Yellowstone, with the exception of the Redside Shiner x Speckled Dace Hybrid.
Arctic Grayling
| Arctic Grayling |
|---|
  |
| Thymallus arcticus montanus ~ NPS Photos |
Back to List
Snake River Finespotted Cutthroat Trout
| Snake River Finespotted Cutthroat Trout |
|---|
 |
| Oncorhynchus clarkii behnkei ~ Photo by Craig D. Young |
Not a Formally Recognized Subspecies
Back to List
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
| Westslope Cutthroat Trout |
|---|
  |
| Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi ~ NPS Photos |
Back to List
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
| Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout |
|---|
  |
| Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri ~ NPS Photos |
Back to List
Longnose Dace
| Longnose Dace |
|---|
 |
| Rhinichthys cataractae ~ NPS Photo |
Back to List
Longnose Sucker
| Longnose Sucker |
|---|
 |
| Catostomous catostomous griesus |
Back to List
Mottled Sculpin
| Mottled Sculpin |
|---|
 |
| Cottus bairdi ~ Forest Service Image |
Back to List
Mountain Sucker
| Mountain Sucker |
|---|
 |
| Catostomus platyrhynchus ~ USGS Image |
Back to List
Mountain Whitefish
| Mountain Whitefish |
|---|
 |
| Prosopium williamsoni |
Back to List
Redside Shiner
| Redside Shiner |
|---|
 |
| Richardsonius balteatus hydrophlox ~ Dept of F&W, OR |
Back to List
Speckled Dace
| Speckled Dace |
|---|
 |
| Rhinichthys osculus ~ NPS Photo by John N. Rinne |
Back to List
Utah Chub
| Utah Chub |
|---|
 |
| Gila atraria |
Back to List
Utah Sucker
| Utah Sucker |
|---|
 |
| Catostomous ardens ~ Photo by Glenn Clemmer |
Back to List
Also see: Fishing Fees and Fishing Regulations
There are five (5) non-native species and one (1) non-native hybrid species: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Lake Chub, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout x Rainbow Trout Hybrid.
Brook Trout
| Brook Trout |
|---|
 |
| Salvelinus fontinalis ~ NPS Photo |
Back to List
Brown Trout
| Brown Trout |
|---|
 |
| Salmo trutta ~ NPS Photo |
Back to List
Lake Chub
| Lake Chub |
|---|
 |
| Couesius plumbeus ~ NPS Photo by Konrad P. Schmidt |
Back to List
Lake Trout
| Lake Trout |
|---|
 |
| Salvelinus namaycush ~ NPS Image |
Back to List
Rainbow Trout
| Rainbow Trout |
|---|
 |
| Oncorhynchus mykiss ~ NPS Photo |
Back to List
Cutthroat Trout x Rainbow Trout Hybrid
| Cutthroat Trout x Rainbow Trout Hybrid |
|---|
 |
| NPS Photo |
Back to List
Every effort was made to gather actual photographs of these Yellowstone fishes, some photographs / images are of the actual species but from outside Yellowstone.
Also see: Fishing Fees and Fishing Regulations
| Yellowstone National Park WebCams | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Faithful Live | All Old Faithful | Old Faithful Static | Old Faithful VC |
| North Entrance | Mt Washburn | Mammoth | YVO WebCam |
| Entrance Cities and Gateway Towns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gardiner, Montana | Silver Gate, Montana | West Yellowstone, Montana | Cooke City, Montana |
| Livingston, Montana | Cody, Wyoming | Jackson Hole, Wyoming | Yellowstone National Park |
| Links | |
|---|---|
| The Great Outdoors Net | Great Outdoor Recreational Places |
| Gardiner, Montana | West Yellowstone, Montana |
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