Yellowstone Park Fishing Regulations

Every year, many anglers are drawn to fish the peaceful rivers and lakes within Yellowstone National Park. If you plan to fish the waters of Yellowstone National Park, it is important to be familiar with the fishing regulations that are in place.

Fishing Season

The fishing season in Yellowstone National Park is typically open from Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through the first Sunday of November. Anglers can fish daily between sunrise and sunset. Exceptions and closures may apply. Be sure to check with a ranger or at a visitor center before fishing in Yellowstone.

Fishing Permits

Any angler 16 years old and over must be in possession of a valid Yellowstone National Park Fishing Permit in order to fish within the park boundaries. Anglers may purchase:

• $15 three-day permit, or
• $20 seven-day permit, or 
• $35 season permit

Children, 15 years and younger, have two options. They may obtain a free permit that is signed by a responsible adult OR they can fish without a permit if they are under direct supervision of an adult who has a valid fishing permit. Fishing permits can be purchased at visitor centers, ranger stations and general stores within the park.

Boat Permits

All boats, including float tubes, are required to have a boat permit within Yellowstone National Park. Float tubes are only allowed on certain lakes and on Lewis River, between Lewis and Shoshone Lakes. Obtain motorized boat permits at South Entrance, Lewis Lake Campground, Grant Village Backcountry Office, and Bridge Bay Ranger Station. Obtain non-motorized boat permits at the above locations in addition to Mammoth, Canyon, or Old Faithful backcountry offices, Northeast Entrance, the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center, and the Bechler Ranger Station. Note that a Coast Guard approved life jacket is required for each person boating. Boat Permit fees:

• Motorized: $20 Annual or $10 Seven Day
• Non-Motorized: $10 Annual or $5 Seven Day

Bait and Tackle Regulations

1. Only one fishing rod may be used per angler and it must be attended at all times. 
2. Only artificial flies and lures may be used. 
3. All hooks must be barbless.
4. Lures and flies may have only one hook.
5. Leaded fishing tackle is not permitted.

Bridge Fishing

Fishing from a bridge or boat dock is not permitted.

Fish Size and Limit Restrictions

• Native Fish Species
  Cutthroat Trout, Montana Whitefish, and Grayling, are catch and release only.
• Non-Native Species
  Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, and Brook Trout, are limited to 5 fish per day depending on the area fished and size of the fish.
• One exception: Lake Trout caught from Yellowstone Lake must be killed.

Fish that do not meet the size limit or that are unintentionally killed must be returned to the water. Please note that it is your responsibility to know how to identify different fish species and to be able to measure the length of a fish. Yellowstone manages two distinct fishing areas and rules on fish size and limits differ depending on the managed area.

Fish Entrails and Skin

Fish skin must be left on any fish that you intend to keep in order for the fish species to be identified. Fish entrails may be removed but only disposed of in the waters where the fish was caught.

Disclaimer: We do our best to provide the most up to date information gathered from the National Park Service. Regulations and closures can change without notice. Make sure to contact a ranger or stop by a visitor center if you plan on fishing in Yellowstone National Park.