Fishing

West Yellowstone fly fishing is considered fishing in the trout capital of the United States, with some top rivers, lakes and reservoirs offering up ideal catches no matter the season.

West Yellowstone fishing not only gives you some wonderful catches, but also provides you with the beautiful backcountry wonders of the Yellowstone area, including the deep canyons, rugged Rockies and alpine meadows.

Fly Fishing
Here you’ll find blue skies, the lovely sounds of nature, spectacular views and of course, more than 1,000 miles of blue ribbon streams. The West Yellowstone region provides anglers with hours and hours of fly-fishing pleasure.

Yellowstone
The rivers and lakes in Yellowstone National Park are popular fishing spots. Lake fishing on Yellowstone, Shoshone and Lewis Lakes is superb. On Yellowstone Lake you’ll pull in cutthroat trout often in the 17-inch range. You should fish mostly near the shore to find the greatest number of trout feeding. For brown and lake trout of great size, try Shoshone Lake. You’ll also find some good-sized brook trout here. In Lewis Lake, you’ll get some decent catches of brown, lake and brook trout. Short hikes will take you to other lakes and rivers.

Madison River
From Yellowstone Park to Three Forks, Montana, the Madison River offers great fishing. The upper Madison in Yellowstone provides rainbow and brown trout, and also some great scenery. The best time for this section of river is from late June to the first part of July. Be sure not to miss the renowned Salmon Fly Hatch, starting on the lower Madison River upstream from Ennis, Montana.

Gallatin River
Find some magnificent rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout on the Gallatin, a cold, clear mountain stream. The most productive fishing will be from the middle of July through late fall.

Henry's Fork
With a great mix of water types on this river, you’ll find yourself compelled to try your luck. On Henry’s Fork of the Snake River you can experience the best dry fly fishing anywhere.

Hebgen Lake
Use dry flies, troll or spin fish on Hebgen Lake. It’s the ideal place to do some trout fishing and enjoy the breathtaking scenery all around. Fish sizes are legendary here. The brown trout begin their spawning run around the 10th of September, with the average size being around two to three pounds.

Henry's Lake
Only 15 miles west of Yellowstone, Henry’s Lake invites fishermen from all over, with its great yields of trout. You can’t overlook the great potential of lake fishing, although you may have stayed with streams or rivers in the past. The lake opens just before Labor Day and stays open to the end of October.

Idaho
Throughout Idaho you’ll discover a wide array of fishing opportunities. Fish the high mountain streams or throw a line into a lowland reservoir. Alpine lakes attract fishermen with not only their wealth of fish, but also their backcountry beauty.

Montana
With such perfect and pristine waters in which to fish, Montana rates high in the best areas to go on a fishing vacation. There are a number of reservoirs like Hebgen, Georgetown and Fort Peck, with conservation efforts that allow wild trout to thrive in their waters.

Shops
Since the West Yellowstone area is one of the world’s best places to do fly fishing, there are also numerous fly shops that serve every need. The locals can provide much knowledge of the region, as their experience is vast.

Guides
Fly fishing guides use their extensive knowledge to take you to the best places where your chances of making a trophy catch are increased many-fold. An experienced guide knows all about the rivers and creeks, lakes and streams in the area and what it takes to possibly get that once-in-a-lifetime trout.

Lodges
Fishing lodges are convenient to the best fishing, where you can enjoy a comfortable stay and just step out your front door and cast into the water.

Report
To get current reports on the fishing in specific areas there are many subscription services to assist you. The above page link lists these for your perusal.

Planning Ahead
It’s important you plan ahead to make your fishing trip the best ever. Know what the weather and conditions will be, because these definitely can affect your trip and your success. You can also then plan how to dress so you won’t be surprised with temperature dips or rain.

Leave No Trace

Follow the seven “Leave No Trace” principles: