Yellowstone Park
YELLOWSTONE PARK
ReportNOV 4 — 11, 2026
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Flow
1130CFS
Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs MT
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Water Temp
43.9°F
Updated 2026-11-04
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Weather
22–52°F
Mostly Sunny
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Reported By
Bruce Staples
On the water
Yellowstone National Park's fishing season ended at sunset on October 31st. Only the Madison River from the Montana-Wyoming state line downstream to West Yellowstone and the Gardner River below Osprey Falls remain open year-round, with snow and cold making access a serious undertaking.
From the ShopBruce Staples · November 4, 2026
Yellowstone National Park, November 4th, 2026. The Park fishing season ended at sunset October 31st. Only the Madison River from the Montana-Wyoming state line downstream to West Yellowstone and the Gardner River below Osprey Falls are open year-round. Skiing or snowshoeing will be needed to reach these locations.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges | #20–24 | Low — cold water, minimal surface activity | Midday warmth, 11am–2pm |
Best Time Window
- 11AM–2PM: Warmest window of the day (high near 52°F today); best chance of any midge activity on open water
- AVOID EVENING: Temperatures crash to the low 20s after dark — plan to be off the water well before sunset
Guide's Tip
From the benchOur staffer's report this week is an access and season-closure notice — no specific fly patterns or hatches were observed. For the open stretches of the Madison and Gardner in November, small midge larvae and pupa imitations fished deep on a tight line are a traditional starting point in cold water near 44°F, but come prepared for winter conditions and plan on skis or snowshoes to reach the water.
Main Species
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
