Fishing Wiki - Yellowstone-Lake

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Description (Edit This)

Yellowstone Lake is the largest lake in Yellowstone National Park and the largest alpine lake in North America. As with other waters in the national park, it is known for its abundance of native cutthroat trout. It is approximately 132 square miles in total size, 20 miles long and 14 miles wide.

The lake is often kind to inexperienced anglers. Fish can be caught with a wide assortment of gear, flies and lures.

Guides (Edit This)
Outboards and rowboats may be rented from Xanterra Parks & Resorts at Bridge Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake. Xanterra also provides guided fishing boats which may be reserved in advance by calling (307) 344-7311 or 866-439-7375.

Nearby Lodges (Edit This)
Lake Lodge Cabins – offers a small cabin furnished with beds and a shower.

Location (Edit This)
The nearest park entrance to Yellowstone Lake is the East Entrance, 27 miles away.

Primary Species (Edit This)
Native cutthroat trout are abundant in Yellowstone Lake and surrounding waters. There are also some lake trout in the water.

Special Regulations (Edit This)

Fishermen are expected to know general park regulations and specific Yellowstone Lake regulations before fishing at Yellowstone Lake. Read the regulations.

Fishing season on Yellowstone Lake opens June 15 and extends through the first Sunday in November. Most streams flowing into Yellowstone Lake (its tributaries) and areas within 100 yards of each stream’s outlet also open July 15. (Some tributaries have other opening dates – check the regulations.)

Some shoreline areas are closed – check the regulations.

All lake trout caught in Yellowstone Lake, its tributaries, and the Yellowstone River must be killed. If you do not want to keep the fish, puncture the air bladder and drop it into water as deep as possible.

Catch and release only the native cutthroat.

Only artificial lures and flies may be used. Scented attractants are illegal.

Hooks must be barbless, or barbs must be pinched down using pliers.

Seasonal Factors (Edit This)

Fishing is permitted on Yellowstone Lake from June 15 through the first Sunday in November.

Flies and lures that imitate natural bugs or minnows are usually the most effective. Specific patterns vary through the season. Check with the tackle shops near park entrances for the latest info on productive patterns.

No matter what month, Yellowstone has drastic weather. Anglers should always watch the forecasts and the weather as close as possible. Be cautious when taking a tube, boat or canoe far from shore.

Lures and Techniques (Edit This)

At Yellowstone Lake, the Gull Point Drive and Sand Point areas are recommended for young anglers.

Lures may have only one hook with a single, double, or treble configuration. Hooks must be barbless or the barbs must be bent down. Flies may have only one hook with a single point. Up to two flies may be used on a single leader.

You can buy barbless hooks at tackle shops near park entrances. Standard lures often must be modified to make them legal for use within Yellowstone Park.

Boats are allowed on Yellowstone Lake. You must buy a boat permit to use any kind of vessel in the park. That includes float tubes, canoes and other watercraft.

Leaded fishing tackle is prohibited. That includes split-shot sinkers, weighted jigs (lead molded to a hook), and soft lead-weighted ribbon for nymph fishing. Lead core line and heavy (> 4 lb.) downrigger weights used to fish for deep-dwelling lake trout are permissible because they are too large to be ingested by wildlife.

Cutthroat move freely in the large, deep lake. They often venture near shore where they can be caught by anglers casting from the bank. People in boats and float tubes often do well casting in toward shore.

Trolling just under the surface is often productive, as is trolling deeper. Large lake trout commonly inhabit deeper water and are usually taken trolling with downriggers or weighted line, or by jigging deep.

Yellowstone Lake receives heavy fishing pressure and some fish learn to be wary. Try to use a gentle presentation (easier with a lighter rod and small lures). The less you will startle the fish, and the more they will be attracted to your fly or lure. The cutthroats spawn near the shore, and much of the road around Yellowstone Lake follows the shoreline.

If you see fish cruising the shoreline, cast right to them. Aim right for your target.
 
Woolly buggers, Panther Martins, Rapallas, Jakes, jigs, and other assorted flies and lures can be effective. (Remember, some may need to be modified to be legal in the park).

Dry flies in bright colors sometimes catch fish when other patterns are not effective.

The best action often comes during early morning and late evening periods. At those times, get out in a skiff, tube, or canoe and cast towards shore. Work your lure lure slowly. Or stay a bit off shore and let your line troll behind you.

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