Yellowstone Up Close & Personal

Yellowstone Up Close & Personal

Yellowstone National Park Fishing News / Updates

New measures in effect May 25, 2024, to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species into Yellowstone National Park

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Yellowstone National Park

P.O. Box 168

Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2024 24-016

Morgan Warthin

(307) 344-2015

YELL_Public_Affairs@nps.gov

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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE

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New measures in effect May 25, 2024, to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species into Yellowstone National Park Boaters and anglers reminded to clean, drain, and dry.

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Yellowstone National Park will implement new measures to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) into park waters. The restrictions include a 30-day mandatory dry time for sailboats and some types of motorized boats before entering park waters and the prohibition of watercraft previously fouled by mussels regardless of dry time.

These restrictions will go into effect on Saturday, May 25, 2024, which is the first day of Yellowstone’s boating and fishing season. The season wraps up on Oct. 31 annually.

Yellowstone faces an increased risk of invasion by highly invasive zebra and quagga mussels following recent detections (2022 Pactola Reservoir in South Dakota; and 2023 Snake River in Twin Falls, Idaho) in waterways within a day’s drive of the park. Mussels have caused irreversible ecological damage and extensive impacts to infrastructure and recreation in waterways throughout the Midwestern and Eastern United States, as well as in the lower Colorado River Basin. In both 2022 and 2023, Yellowstone’s AIS inspectors intercepted and denied launch to mussel-fouled watercraft, highlighting the urgency and severity of the threat.

30-Day Dry Time

To protect park waters and respond to this threat, there will be a 30-day dry time requirement for sailboats and certain complex motorized boats (inboard, inboard/outboard and inboard jet) prior to launching. Large, complex, trailered watercraft pose the highest risk of transporting and introducing invasive mussels and other AIS because they are difficult to inspect and less likely to completely drain/dry or be fully decontaminated. Manual decontamination with the use of hot water is not always 100% effective in removing all mussels. A 30-day dry time will mitigate the risk.

Previously Fouled Watercraft

Watercraft (motorized or non-motorized) previously fouled by mussels, regardless of dry time, will be denied launch. The launch of fouled watercraft increases the chances of false mussel detection by routine environmental DNA monitoring of park waters. This could result in significant impacts to operations and public recreational opportunities. Prevention

These restrictions will build on existing protections, including the 2019 prohibition on watercraft equipped with sealed internal ballast tanks, as well as the 2022 prohibition of watercraft with evidence of live or dead mussels. Yellowstone National Park straddles the Continental Divide and is located at the headwaters of the Yellowstone, Snake, and Missouri River drainages which flow into the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean drainages. These proactive measures are required to ensure the long-term ecological integrity of park waters and downstream mussel-free waters in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Failure to prevent invasion by zebra and quagga mussels could result in widespread negative impacts to natural resources, recreational values and local businesses, and could undo over two decades of work to restore native Yellowstone cutthroat trout to the park. Prevention of an AIS introduction is critical because there are no effective eradication methods, and control/containment is both costly and environmentally consequential.

30-Day Public Comment Period

The park recently concluded a 30-day public comment period, and the majority of comments received were in favor of the restrictions and understand the increased threat and need to protect the park and downstream watersheds.

Clean, Drain, Dry

Boaters and anglers are reminded to clean, drain and dry all boats, trailers and equipment prior to arriving in the park to minimize the risk of introducing AIS into Yellowstone’s waters. Felt-soled footwear is banned because they can carry microscopic disease organisms even after cleaning.

Clean all plants, animals, mud, sand and other debris from your boat, anchor, boots and equipment. Use high-pressure, hot (120-140 F) water if possible.

Drain all water from your boat, including the motor, bilge, livewell and other compartments before you arrive. Leave drain plugs out during transport. Do not move water or organisms from one water body into another.

Dry all compartments and equipment in the sun for five days.

Clean, drain, and dry requirements are critical steps to protect the park’s and nation’s waterways.

More Information

Frequently Asked Questions about Yellowstone’s new restrictions

Permits and inspections

Boating

Fishing

AIS Management

AIS Ecology


Yellowstone National Park Fishing News / Updates

Yellowstone National Park expands access to allow for year-round fishing in two locations Public invited to join a virtual Native Fish Conservation Program update April 30th, 2024.

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Beginning Nov. 1, 2024, Yellowstone National Park will expand fishing access by allowing for year-round fishing opportunities at two locations in the park. These two locations are:

Madison River: The Madison River from the Wyoming/Montana state line downstream to the park boundary near the West Entrance in West Yellowstone, Montana.

Gardner River: The Gardner River from Osprey Falls downstream to the confluence with the Yellowstone River near the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana.

Other fishing areas in the park will continue to be available during the standard fishing season, which is from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Oct. 31 each year.

The 2024 Yellowstone annual fishing permit will be valid May 25 through Dec. 31, 2024. Beginning in 2025, the annual fishing permit will be valid for the calendar year, January through December.


Fish of Yellowstone National Park



There are twelve (12) native species in Yellowstone National Park (including three [3] species of cutthroat trout). The native species are: Arctic Grayling, Longnose Dace, Longnose Sucker, Mottled Sculpin, Mountain Sucker, Mountain Whitefish, Snake River Cutthroat (not a formally recognized subspecies), Redside Shiner, Redside Shiner x Speckled Dace Hybrid, Speckled Dace, Utah Chub, Utah Sucker, Westslope Cutthroat, and Yellowstone Cutthroat. The main purpose of the Yellowstone Fisheries Management is to maintain the health and contiuation of these species.

Index


Yellowstone National Park Native Fish
Arctic
Grayling
Snake River
Cutthroat
Westslope
Cutthroat
Yellowstone
Cutthroat
Longnose
Dace
Longnose
Sucker
Mottled
Sculpin
Mountain
Sucker
Mountain
Whitefish
Redside
Shiner
Redside Shiner
x Speckled Dace
Speckled
Dace
Utah
Chub
Utah
Sucker

There are five (5) non-native species and one (1) non-native hybrid species. These six species are: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout x Rainbow Trout Hybrid, Lake Chub, Lake Trout, and Rainbow Trout. Yellowstone Fisheries Management is working to control and regulate these non-native species. Lake Trout were illegally introduced to Yellowstone Lake and are having a devastating effect on the native Cutthroat Trout, which in turn affects the whole ecosystem including the wildlife (otters, eagles, bears, osprey, etc.) that have always relied on Cutthroat as a food source.


Non Native Fish


Yellowstone National Park Non Native Fish
Brook Trout Brown Trout Lake Chub
Lake Trout Rainbow Trout Cutthroat Trout x Rainbow Trout

This page contains pictures or graphics of all the fishes of Yellowstone, with the exception of the Redside Shiner x Speckled Dace Hybrid.




Arctic Grayling


Arctic Grayling
Arctic Grayling - NPS Photo
Arctic Grayling - NPS Photo
Thymallus arcticus montanus ~ NPS Photos

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Snake River Finespotted Cutthroat Trout


Snake River Finespotted Cutthroat Trout
Snake River Finespotted Cutthroat Trout - Photo by Craig D. Young
Oncorhynchus clarkii behnkei ~ Photo by Craig D. Young

Not a Formally Recognized Subspecies


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Westslope Cutthroat Trout


Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Westslope Cutthroat Trout - NPS Photo
Westslope Cutthroat Trout - NPS Photo
Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi ~ NPS Photos

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Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout


Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout - NPS Photo
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout - NPS Photo
Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri ~ NPS Photos

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Longnose Dace


Longnose Dace
Longnose Dace ~ NPS Image
Rhinichthys cataractae ~ NPS Photo

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Longnose Sucker


Longnose Sucker
Longnose Sucker ~ Forest Service Image
Catostomous catostomous griesus

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Mottled Sculpin


Mottled Sculpin
Mottled Sculpin ~ Forest Service Image
Cottus bairdi ~ Forest Service Image

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Mountain Sucker


Mountain Sucker
Mountain Sucker ~ USGS Image
Catostomus platyrhynchus ~ USGS Image

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Mountain Whitefish


Mountain Whitefish
Mountain Whitefish - Photo by Woostermike
Prosopium williamsoni

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Redside Shiner


Redside Shiner
Redside Shiner ~ Dept of Fish and Wildlife, OR Photo
Richardsonius balteatus hydrophlox ~ Dept of F&W, OR

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Speckled Dace


Speckled Dace
Speckled Dace ~ NPS Photo by John N. Rinne
Rhinichthys osculus ~ NPS Photo by John N. Rinne

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Utah Chub


Utah Chub
Utah Chub ~ Utah State Fishing Guide Image
Gila atraria

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Utah Sucker


Utah Sucker
Utah Sucker ~ Utah State Fishing Guide Image
Catostomous ardens ~ Photo by Glenn Clemmer

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Also see: Fishing Fees and Fishing Regulations





There are five (5) non-native species and one (1) non-native hybrid species: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Lake Chub, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout x Rainbow Trout Hybrid.


Brook Trout


Brook Trout
Brook Trout ~ NPS Image
Salvelinus fontinalis ~ NPS Photo

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Brown Trout


Brown Trout
Brown Trout ~ NPS Image
Salmo trutta ~ NPS Photo

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Lake Chub


Lake Chub
Lake Chub ~ NPS Photo by Konrad P. Schmidt
Couesius plumbeus ~ NPS Photo by Konrad P. Schmidt

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Lake Trout


Lake Trout
Lake Trout ~ NPS Image
Salvelinus namaycush ~ NPS Image

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Rainbow Trout


Rainbow Trout
Rainbow Trout ~ NPS Photo
Oncorhynchus mykiss ~ NPS Photo

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Cutthroat Trout x Rainbow Trout Hybrid


Cutthroat Trout x Rainbow Trout Hybrid
Cutthroat Trout x Rainbow Trout Hybrid ~ NPS Photo
NPS Photo

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Every effort was made to gather actual photographs of these Yellowstone fishes, some photographs / images are of the actual species but from outside Yellowstone.


Also see: Fishing Fees and Fishing Regulations




Yellowstone National Park River Flow Links
Crecelius Cascade Madison River
Firehole River - Madison Snake River
Firehole River - Old Faithful Soda Butte Creek
Gardiner River at Boiling Spring Tantalus Creek
Gibbon River Yellowstone River - Yellowstone Lake
Lamar River Yellowstone River - Near Corwin Springs, MT




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