Yellowstone park, Montana continue easing fishing restrictions

Yellowstone National Park and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks have announced the easing of fishing restrictions on rivers as water temperatures drop.

In Yellowstone, anglers will again be able to fish the Firehole, Madison and Gibbon (downstream of Norris Campground) rivers and all associated tributaries, though hoot-owl restrictions 2 p.m. to midnight are in place.

Park officials said in a press release last week that cooling weather and water temperatures, as well as precipitation in the current weather forecast, allowed for the full closures to be lifted.

The full closures were implemented on July 15 because low water flows and high water temperatures exceeding 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) can be lethal to fish. Water temperatures have cooled at night, allowing for fishing for part of the day. Anglers can fish on most other park rivers, streams and lakes daily from sunrise to sunset as specified in the 2026 Fishing Regulations booklet.

Staff will continue to monitor the water temperatures. Temporary restrictions may be lifted, or additional closures may be put in place, depending on condition assessments.

For Montana rivers, FWP has lifted hoot-owl restrictions on the Smith and Sun rivers.

Throughout the state, a few rivers remain under fishing restrictions. For a complete list, visit FWP’s website here.