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Above Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming),
the Yellowstone River starts its journey and flows for
hundreds of miles through breath taking scenery across
Montana until it meets the Missouri River in North Dakota.
This natural flowing river is one that brings anglers
and visitors from all over the country to its banks each
year.
Yellowstone National Park is by most standards the
most popular park in the country. Its beauty was created
an estimated 600,000 years ago from a volcanic eruption
which left a gigantic area of Northwestern Wyoming
covered in ash and molten lava. Through years of evolution,
Yellowstone National Park has become a place consisting
of mud bubbles, hot springs, geysers, two hundred plus
foot waterfalls, and sheer beauty.
The upper Yellowstone River flows for approximately
thirty miles before entering the Southeast arm of Yellowstone
Lake. The upper reaches of the river are small, very
remote and nearly impossible to access without a horse
or canoe. The River above Yellowstone Lake is followed
by Thorofare trail which will give access to those
people who choose to horseback. Cutthroats are the
only trout found in this part of the river. |
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Other stretches along the river from Yellowstone Lake
to Gardiner and other areas are also Closed
to fishing & Special Regulations do apply. Below
the falls, the Yellowstone flows through a large canyon
and access can be somewhat difficult in areas. Access
points in this area can be found by using include Tower
Falls, Black Canyon, Hellroaring Creek Trail, Canyon
Village, and by Gardiner. Access to this area of the
river is done by using Grand Loop Road and hiking trails.
The river can be dangerous and swift in many areas and
you must be careful.
After leaving the park, the Yellowstone becomes a
part of Montana. Below Gardiner the river fishes well
all the way to Laurel. The most popular and productive
stretch in Montana is from Gardiner to Livingston which
is a little over fifty miles of water. The first part
of this stretch from Gardiner to Corwin Springs is
very productive for cutthroats which are in tremendous
numbers here. Below Corwin Springs the river enters
Yankee Jim Canyon where large browns inhabit this stretch
in some of the deeper, faster moving pools. Most anglers
choose to wade fish this area. If you decide to drift,
it is very difficult water to navigate, and should
be done by only the experienced.
Downstream from Yankee Jim Canyon, the river flows
past the towns of Miner, Emigrant, Pray, Pine Creek,
and Brisbin before entering Livingston. The stretch
from just below Pray to Livingston is a wonderful and
famous stretch. Rainbows and browns with quality hatches
of insects and beautiful scenery make this an excellent
piece of water. Floating is the first choice of most
anglers although wade fishing is available in some
parts. The section from Gardiner to Livingston is followed
by Route 89.
Below Livingston the river has good numbers of brown
trout and a few rainbows. This area usually receives
less pressure and holds some impressive size fish.
Fishing can be good all the way to Laurel, although
many anglers limit their float to the upper half of
this area. Route 90 follows the river from Livingston
to Laurel.
Hatches on the Yellowstone include Blue-winged
Olive, caddis(tan and black), Pale Morning Duns,
stoneflies (including the large Salmon Flies), Tricos,
and a few others. Terrestrials (especially hoppers)
also work well during the late summer months. Streamers
and nymphs make up much of the fishing on the Yellowstone
River and produce some of the largest fish.
If you are planning a trip to the Yellowstone the
closest commercial airport is in Bozeman. Billings
has an airport which is also close enough to fit the
plans for a trip here. This is a scenic area and the
Yellowstone River makes it even better. Beautiful rivers,
canyons, waterfalls, geysers and mountains are some
of the attractions to this area making it one of the
most spectacular portions of the United States. |
