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Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone Fishing: Exotic Threats

Exotic Threats

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Yellowstone fisheries are threatened by potentially damaging exotic organisms, including but not limited to whirling disease parasite and the New Zealand mud snail. If you plan to fish Yellowstone National Park make sure to clean your gear before entering and after exiting all waters to help prevent further spread of these invasive species and threats. These invasive species are easily transferred between waterways if waders, boots and other fishing gear are not properly cleaned.

Whirling Disease

The whirling disease parasite has been implicated through the introduction of lake trout and the resulting decline of cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake. Whirling disease is known to exist in the following locations:

  • Yellowstone Lake
  • Yellowstone River between Gardiner and Yellowstone Lake 
  • Pelican Creek (a tributary to Yellowstone Lake) 
  • Clear Creek (a tributary to Yellowstone Lake)

New Zealand Mud Snail

New Zealand mud snails live in many park streams and harm aquatic insect communities. New Zealand mud snails are known to exist in the following waterways:

  • Madison River between Madison and West Yellowstone 
  • Gibbon River between Madison and Norris 
  • Firehole River between Old Faithful and Madison
  • Nez Perce Creek (a tributary to the Firehole River) 
  • Gardner River

What to do every time you contact a body of water in Yellowstone:

  1. Remove all visible mud, plants, fish, and any tiny animals from your boats, trailers, and other equipment, including waders, boots, clothing, and nets. 
  2. Do not dump any water from another source into Greater Yellowstone Area waters. Drain your boat hull and live well in a safe location (a flat paved, dirt, or gravel area) away from any park surface water. 
  3. Never empty bait or release fish, other animals, or plants into a body of water unless they came out of it. 
  4. Clean and dry everything that comes in contact with water before entering a new body of water. It is best to use high-pressure, hot water (available at car washes outside the park) to clean your boat, trailer, and gear.
Reel Deal Anglers - Rhett Bain & his small team of guides offer access to private waters like no other service. Enjoy some seclusion on the Snake River and surrounding fisheries.

Mammoth, WY Weather

33°
( 1° C)