Yellowstone National Park Fishing Report 7/12/26

Firehole River

Use extreme caution and practice ethical angling. As of July 9, Yellowstone National Park implemented mandatory “hoot owl” restrictions on the Firehole River, closing fishing daily from 2:00 p.m. until sunrise due to warm water temperatures and low flows.  Recent water temperatures have exceeded levels considered stressful and potentially lethal for trout.

If you choose to fish the Firehole, do so very early in the morning and carry a thermometer.  PMDs, caddis, and lingering BWO activity can provide a brief but productive dry-fly window from sunrise through mid-morning.  Small soft hackles, PMD nymphs, Missing Links, and CDC caddis patterns remain effective.  Focus on faster riffles, shaded runs, and cooler inflow areas where trout are concentrating.  Once water temperatures begin climbing, move to another fishery.

Best Flies: PMD Sparkle Duns, Missing Links, CDC Caddis, Soft Hackles, small PMD nymphs, Zebra Midges.

Gibbon River

The Gibbon is also under the current 2 p.m. closure downstream of Norris Campground due to warm water conditions.  Upper sections continue to offer decent opportunities, particularly during the cooler morning hours.

Dry-dropper setups remain productive in the meadows, while pocket water and canyon stretches are beginning to see stronger stonefly activity.  Small attractor dries paired with perdigons or pheasant tails have been consistent producers. Streamers and leeches can move larger fish from undercut banks and deeper pools.

Best Flies: Chubby Chernobyls, PMDs, Golden Stones, Pheasant Tails, Duracells, small Woolly Buggers.

Madison River (Inside Yellowstone National Park)

Like the Firehole and Gibbon, the Madison is now operating under hoot owl restrictions, closing daily at 2 p.m. due to warm water temperatures and low flows.

Morning fishing has been the key. PMDs are becoming the dominant hatch, while caddis continue to provide excellent dry-fly opportunities.  Spinner falls early and duns later in the morning are producing the most consistent surface action.  When fish are not looking up, small mayfly nymphs and caddis pupae have been effective in deeper runs and seams.

Best Flies: PMD Sparkle Duns, PMD Comparaduns, X2 Caddis, Blowtorches, Duracells, Soft Hackles.

Gallatin River

The Gallatin has emerged as one of the better options during the current heat wave.  Its colder water temperatures continue to fish well throughout the day and provide a good alternative to the thermally influenced rivers.

PMDs, flavs, and caddis are producing consistent dry-fly action from late morning through evening.   Water conditions have improved significantly, and anglers willing to cover water with attractor dries and dry-droppers are finding success.

Best Flies: PMDs, Yellow Sallies, Caddis, Chubbies, attractor dry-dropper combinations. 

Gardner River

Conditions continue to improve but remain somewhat variable depending on recent precipitation.  Fishing is still best in softer seams, eddies, and along banks where fish can avoid heavier current.

Nymph rigs remain the most consistent approach, though occasional golden stone and caddis activity can bring fish to the surface during warmer periods.

Yellowstone River

The Yellowstone River is steadily improving and is now fishing much better than it was just a week ago.  Flows continue to drop, water clarity is improving, and the river is entering its prime midsummer period.

Salmonflies are fading, but golden stones, PMDs, green drakes, gray drakes, caddis, and flavs are all in play.  Cutthroat trout are becoming increasingly active, particularly during afternoon mayfly and evening caddis activity.  Focus on near-bank structure, riffle transitions, and softer inside seams where fish are feeding aggressively.

Best Flies: Golden Stones, Green Drakes, Gray Drakes, PMDs, Tan Caddis, Chubby Chernobyls.

Northeast Corner (Lamar, Soda Butte, Slough Creek)

This is currently the top area in Yellowstone National Park. Fishing has been excellent throughout much of the Northeast Corner, with multiple major hatches underway.  Salmonflies and golden stones are present on portions of the Yellowstone, while Slough Creek, Soda Butte, and the Lamar are all seeing strong PMD, green drake, gray drake, and caddis activity.

Dry-fly anglers are finding some outstanding opportunities, especially during cloudy afternoons and evening spinner falls.  Dry-dropper rigs continue to excel when prospecting larger stretches of water.

Best Flies: Green Drakes (#12-14), Gray Drakes (#12-14), PMDs (#16-18), Tan Caddis (#14-16), Beetles, Ants, Golden Stones.

Overall Recommendation

For the week of July 12, 2026, anglers should strongly consider prioritizing the Northeast Corner, Yellowstone River, and Gallatin River.  The Firehole, Gibbon, and Madison remain fishable only during the coolest morning hours and are currently subject to 2 p.m. closures due to elevated water temperatures.