It turns out that this Yellowstone River outbreak is simply blue-green algae. No further testing will be needed, and the signs have come down. These common algae blooms have showed up in 36 Montana waters this year so far.
Table of Contents
Can you fish the Yellowstone River?
Fly Fishing the Yellowstone River In many ways the Yellowstone River is the classic Montana fly fishing river. The Yellowstone is big, broad, and loaded with wild trout. The river is host to a variety of species of fish. Anglers can expect a mixed bag of rainbow trout, brown trout, and native cutthroat trout.
Is the Yellowstone River Good fishing?
The section of river just below Yellowstone Lake contains enough large trout and easy access to make it worthwhile. In the canyon sections of the river, the resident population of Cutthroats is as strong as ever, with the average fish coming in at 12-14″ with good numbers up to 18″.
When can you fish the Yellowstone River?
Aside from pre-run off (March – April) the best time to fish the Yellowstone River is a week or two after it clears. Depending on snowpack levels and how fast the snow melts, this typically occurs during mid July. August is the best time to fish hoppers, but the fish have also seen a few more flies by then.
Can you wade fish the Yellowstone River?
Although wade fishing is an option in the park and at a few other locations, the size of the water lends itself ideally to float fishing from rafts and drift boats. The Yellowstone is also one of the most variable rivers in Montana with a huge range of water flows and fishing conditions.
Can you use live bait on the Yellowstone River?
Open entire year for up to 2 attended lines with up to 2 hooks per line. Live fish (except sculpin, salmonids, carp, goldfish, all species in the sunfish family, bullheads (catfish family), yellow perch, and rainbow smelt) may be used as bait (including feeder streams and ditches).
Is the Yellowstone River catch and release?
Catch and release all native fish. No possession limit on nonnative fish. Nonnative Trout Tolerance Area: Limit of 5 brook trout.
How deep is the Yellowstone River?
Max Discharge: 5,680 cfs • Deepest Point: 43ft However, the deepest point on the river is located at the Yellowstone River At Glendive Mt reporting a gauge stage of 43 ft.
Are there Sturgeon in the Yellowstone River?
Conservation > Fisheries Management Pallid Sturgeon The pallid sturgeon is one of the rarest and largest freshwater fish in North America. It and the smaller, more common shovelnose sturgeon, are the only sturgeon species native to the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers in Montana.
Are there salmon in Yellowstone River?
In the Yellowstone River, you’ll see Mountain Whitefish. Though they belong in the same family as trout and salmon, they don’t have quite the same bright colors that rainbows and salmon have. Instead, they are usually silver or gray, with much larger scales.
Do you need a permit to float the Yellowstone River?
Additionally, all watercraft, includ- ing float tubes, must obtain a Yellowstone National Park Boat Permit. Motorized boat permits and non- motorized boat permits (including float tubes) are available in a 7-day denomina- tion or as an annual permit.
Why is the Yellowstone River muddy?
The Yellowstone River has one major tributary, the Lamar River in Yellowstone National Park, that can cause muddy water on the Yellowstone River.
Where can I wade fish in Yellowstone?
The Carters Bridge access point is one of the busier sites along the Yellowstone River, especially during the summer months. However, there is some awesome water between here and the I-90 overpass for the floating angler and good wade fishing water just upstream for the wade angler.
What flies to use on the Yellowstone River?
- Chubby Chernobyl (size 4-14)
- Amy’s Ant (size 10-14)
- X Caddis (size 8-18)
- Sparkle Duns (size 12-20)
- Turk’s Tarantula (size 6-14)
- Pink/Black Morrish Hopper (size 8-12)
- Parachute Hopper (size 8-10)
- Sweetgrass Hopper (size 8-12)
Where is Wade in the Yellowstone River?
Some of the best wade fishing can be found in the stretch between Gardiner and the head of Yankee Jim Canyon. Wading opportunities exist throughout the Upper Yellowstone—stop in any of the local fly shops and the staff will be happy to point you toward some good locations.
Can you use a spinning rod in Yellowstone?
There a three rivers that are fly fishing only, the Madison River, the Gibbon River and the Firehole River. They can still be fished with a spinning outfit but the terminal tackle has to be a fly (ie. spinning rod, a fly and water bubble float). You can use a spinner on any other open waters.
Can you fish with two rods in Montana?
It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Montana.
Can you use treble hooks in Yellowstone?
Leaded fishing tackle such as leaded split-shot sinkers and soft-weighted ribbon for nymph fishing are not allowed. Hooks must have points that are barbless and only one hook per lure with single, double or triple points. No organic or inorganic baits are allowed.
Is there bass in the Yellowstone River?
And in Yellowstone’s waters, the smallmouth bass is one of at least eight aquatic invasive species that exist. The additional species include four other fish, two mollusks and one parasite that causes whirling disease in cutthroat trout and other species.
Is it easy to catch fish in Yellowstone?
The fishing can be as easy as walking a few yards from a pull off to making an epic hike into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Yellowstone Park opens to fishing on Memorial Day Weekend and runs into the first week of November.
Can you keep trout in Yellowstone park?
In the Native Trout Conservation Area, anglers must catch and release all native species, but can keep up to five non-native fish of any size per day. All lake trout in Yellowstone Lake must be killed.
Can you camp along the Yellowstone River?
Camping: Overnight camping along the Yellowstone River on National Forest is limited to Yankee Jim campground, which is 15 miles north of Gardiner along Highway 89. Overnight camping is also permitted at many of the state fishing access areas.
What fish are in Yellowstone rivers?
- Arctic grayling.
- cutthroat trout (Yellowstone and westslope)
- mountain whitefish.
- longnose dace, speckled dace.
- redside shiner.
- Utah chub.
- longnose sucker, mountain sucker, Utah sucker.
- mottled sculpin.
What is the rarest fish in Montana?
- Bramblett, R.G.
- Brown, C.J.D.
- Flath, D. L.
- Krentz, S.
- Kynard, B.
- Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society species status accounts.
- Page, L.M. and B.M.
What lives in the Yellowstone River?
Throughout the Yellowstone River corridor, wildlife ranges from bald eagles to elk, whitetail deer, black and grizzly bears, native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, and so much more.