Yellowstone National Park lifted its remaining seasonal fishing restrictions on the Firehole, Madison, and Gibbon rivers, according to nbcmontana.com. The move restores angler access to some of the park’s most well-known waterways, along with their associated tributaries.

What Changed

Park managers cited cooling weather and dropping water temperatures as the basis for the decision. High summer water temperatures in these geothermally influenced rivers routinely stress fish populations, prompting temporary closures each year to protect trout and other native species during the warmest months.

The lift covers the Gibbon River downstream of Norris Campground, as well as all tributaries connected to the three rivers. With the restrictions removed, anglers may fish from sunrise to sunset daily on these rivers, joining most other park rivers, streams, and lakes that are already open.

What Anglers Should Know

The return of fall fishing conditions on the Firehole, Madison, and Gibbon draws significant interest from Montana-based anglers and visitors alike. These rivers run through some of the most accessible and scenic stretches of Yellowstone’s interior, and autumn is widely considered a productive season for fly fishing as water temperatures stabilize and fish become more active.

Anglers planning a trip should confirm current park regulations before heading out, as conditions and any localized restrictions can change. Yellowstone requires a valid park fishing permit, separate from a Montana or Wyoming state license, for all waters within park boundaries.

For drought conditions affecting Montana fishing and agriculture more broadly, Governor Gianforte recently confirmed USDA drought disaster status for five Montana counties, a designation that could affect water availability in some areas of the state heading into fall.