Are Fishing Licenses Required In Yellowstone National Park?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Anglers 16 years of age or older must be in possession of a valid Yellowstone National Park permit to fish in the park.

State fishing licenses are not valid and aren't required

. Fishing permits are now available to purchase online via Recreation.gov.

How much is a fishing license for Yellowstone park?

Yellowstone Fee Schedule 2021 Fees Fishing

3-day


$40
7-day $55 Season $75 Boating Non-motorized 7-day $20*

Can you fish in Yellowstone National Park?


Fishing has been a popular recreation activity in Yellowstone National Park for more than 100 years, and many people visit the park just to fish

. With over 2500 miles of rivers and streams, as well as numerous lakes, Yellowstone waters present an excellent opportunity for the recreational angler.

Can you fish on Yellowstone Lake?

Fishing Yellowstone Lake


Yellowstone Lake opens to fishing on June 15

and fishing for Cutthroats is generally best during the early part of the summer immediately after the opener. Lake Trout fishing is best during the fall, when the fish move into shallower water to spawn.

Can you keep trout in Yellowstone?

Join Yellowstone National 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. There is no possession limit on lake trout caught in Heart Lake.

How is the fishing in Yellowstone River?


Use a larger hopper in sizes 2-10, noisily plopping them in the water and floating them right along the banks

. If you're tired of fishing hoppers, attractor flies such as Royal Wulffs also work well. A number of feeder creeks feed into the Yellowstone River along this section.

Where can I buy a fishing license in Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone National Park Fishing Permits:

They can be purchased at

Park Visitor Centers or at Fly Shops near the park

. Children under 15 do not require a permit if they are fishing with an adult who has a permit.

Where is the best fishing in Yellowstone?

  1. North Fork of the Shoshone River (Fishing the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park) …
  2. Beartooth Lake on the Beartooth Plateau. …
  3. Lily Lake. …
  4. Clarks Fork Yellowstone.

What kind of fishing can you do in Yellowstone?

Know your fish.

Yellowstone is home to seven game fish:

brook, brown, cutthroat, lake and rainbow trout, along with grayling and whitefish

.

How much are fishing license in Montana?

In the state of Montana, resident anglers who are aged 12-17 years old or 62 or older (or disabled) must purchase a standard Conservation License for $8.00 and a $2 AIS Prevention Pass on top of a fishing license. The fishing license costs

$5.00 for a two-day permit and $10.50 for the entire season

.

Is Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Only?

Artificial lures are not allowed on the Firehole River, Madison River, and lower Gibbon River (below Gibbon Falls);

these streams are fly fishing only

. A single pointed hook is the best choice for fishing in Yellowstone.

Can you carry a gun in Yellowstone National Park?

Firearms.

Federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in Yellowstone

. Hunting and the discharge of firearms remain prohibited in Yellowstone.

Are boats allowed on Yellowstone Lake?


Motorized boats are only allowed on Yellowstone Lake and Lewis Lake

. You can float tube in areas that are open to fishing, but you must have a boat permit for your float tube. The only non lake boating is permitted in the channel between Lewis and Shoshone Lakes, where only hand-propelled vessels are allowed.

Do you have to fly fish in Yellowstone?

The fly fishing in Yellowstone combines a wild setting, spectacular scenery and great angling opportunities. Many of the world's most famous trout streams such as the Yellowstone, Gallatin,Madison and Snake are born inside of the park.

Fly fishing inside of the Park is exclusively walk and wade only by regulation

.

Can you rent fishing equipment in Yellowstone?


You can rent fishing equipment at the Yellowstone General Store at Bridge Bay Marina

and purchase fishing tackle from Yellowstone General Stores throughout the park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts offers a fly fishing guide service.

Can you fish the Yellowstone River all day?


It is possible to fish some of this water on a day trip with a solid hike, but much of it requires at least one night of camping

. These sections fish best from the end of runoff in late June or early July into the early fall. Once the Yellowstone exits the Park float fishing is permitted.

Can you use live bait on the Yellowstone River?

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).

Can you boat the Yellowstone River?


All park rivers are closed to boating except for the section of the Lewis River between Lewis Lake and Shoshone Lake, where only non-motorized boating is permitted

. Float tubes are considered non-motorized boats and subject to the same regulations.

Do you need a fishing license in Montana?

To legally fish in Montana

you must hold a valid fishing license

, $10 conservation license ($8 for MT residents), and $7.50 invasive species pass ($2 for MT residents). Fees below include all three items. Licenses can be purchased online at the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Online Licensing Site.

Do you need waders to fish in Yellowstone?


Unless fishing a cold spring creek, most of our guides choose to “wet wade” in shorts and felt-soled wading boots

. Both a rain jacket and rain pants (if you're not wearing waders) are advisable.

Where are the biggest fish in Yellowstone?

According to the IDFG, Yellowstone cutthroat trout measuring 30 inches or more are “exceedingly rare” in rivers. They can grow larger in deep-water lakes, such as

Yellowstone Lake in the Wyoming portion of Yellowstone National Park

.

Are there salmon in Yellowstone?


In 1908 7000 Land-locked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were stocked in Yellowstone Lake and 5000 in Duck Lake (West Thumb)

.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.