Yellowstone Park
YELLOWSTONE PARK
ReportThe entire Madison River drainage remains closed to fishing, excepting the Gibbon River above Norris Campground. Streams in the northeast corner of the park are rounding into shape but are becoming crowded with fly fishers. PMDs, yellow sallies, caddis, ants, and beetles are bringing fish up. Watch for afternoon thundershowers that can rain hard enough to discolor downstream waters.
The Gallatin and Gardner Rivers offer some great PM caddis activity with terrestrial insect populations building. The Yellowstone River below the lake is crowded with fly fishers and warming waters are beginning to switch fish back to the lake — best time to fish is early AM. Fishing in Fall River Basin streams is slowing because of summer heat; try long, drag-free drifts with grasshopper patterns.
Beula Lake is producing some of the fastest still-water fishing in the park, with cutthroat trout feeding on speckled dun, cinnamon caddis, and damselflies.
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMD (Pale Morning Dun) | #16–20 | Moderate — bringing fish up in northeast park streams | Midmorning to early afternoon |
| Caddis | #16–20 | Strong — especially PM activity on Gallatin and Gardner Rivers | Afternoon into evening |
| Yellow Sally (Little Yellow Stonefly) | #14–16 | Active — northeast corner streams | Midday to afternoon |
| Ants & Beetles (Terrestrials) | #14–18 | Building — populations increasing across open-water drainages | All day, peak midday heat |
| Grasshoppers | #10–14 | Emerging — key pattern for slowing Fall River Basin streams | Late morning through afternoon |
| Cinnamon Caddis & Damselflies (Beula Lake) | #14–18 | Strong — cutthroats actively feeding at Beula Lake | Morning and midday |
- FIRST LIGHT TO 9 AM: Fish the Yellowstone River below the lake before warming water temperatures push cutthroats back toward the lake — crowds build fast, so arrive early.
- MIDMORNING TO EARLY AFTERNOON: Target northeast corner streams for PMD, yellow sally, and terrestrial dry-fly action; watch for afternoon thunderstorms that can quickly discolor water downstream.
- AFTERNOON INTO EVENING: Hit the Gallatin and Gardner Rivers for peak caddis activity; terrestrial patterns continue to produce throughout the warmest part of the day.
