Fishing restrictions lifted in Yellowstone Park as temperatures drop

Editor's Note: The following is a news release from Yellowstone National Park.

YELLOWSTONE — Beginning Aug. 12, Yellowstone National Park will lift the fishing restrictions on rivers and streams that went into effect on July 29. The restrictions were implemented because low water flows and high water temperatures can be lethal to fish. Cooling weather and water temperatures in the forecast allow for these restrictions to be lifted. 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.

The existing full fishing closures on the Madison, Firehole and Gibbon (downstream of Norris Campground) rivers that were implemented on July 15 will remain in effect until conditions improve to protect the park’s native and wild trout fisheries. These rivers run warmer due to the influence of nearby geothermal areas that increase water temperatures.

Staff will continue to monitor the water temperatures. The closures may be lifted, or additional restrictions and closures may be put in place, depending on condition assessments.

Anglers: Please fish during the coolest times of day and land fish quickly. Do not play hooked trout to exhaustion. Gently handle fish in the water as much as possible and let them recover before release. 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.