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Wyoming · Fishing
Fishing in Yellowstone National Park means lake fishing, almost exclusively. The park's backcountry and front-country lakes — Yellowstone Lake, Shoshone Lake, Heart Lake, Beula Lake, Grizzly Lake, and more than a dozen others — hold native cutthroat trout and, in some waters, lake trout.
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View on mapFishing · 24 spots
Fishing in Yellowstone National Park means lake fishing, almost exclusively. The park's backcountry and front-country lakes — Yellowstone Lake, Shoshone Lake, Heart Lake, Beula Lake, Grizzly Lake, and more than a dozen others — hold native cutthroat trout and, in some waters, lake trout. Yellowstone Lake is the centerpiece: it's the largest high-elevation lake in North America and has been the focus of an ongoing lake trout removal effort to protect the native Yellowstone cutthroat population. Shoshone Lake and Heart Lake require a hike to reach, which keeps pressure lower and rewards anglers willing to put in the miles. Closer to the road, lakes like Harlequin Lake, Lost Lake, and Swan Lake are accessible without a long approach. The season typically runs from late May through early November, though individual waters have their own opening dates set by the park. A Yellowstone-specific fishing permit is required for anyone 16 and older — Wyoming state licenses do not apply inside park boundaries. If you're planning a multi-day trip into the backcountry to fish Heart Lake or Shoshone Lake, you'll need a backcountry camping permit on top of the fishing permit.
No. Yellowstone operates under its own permit system, separate from Wyoming state licensing. Anglers 16 and older need a Yellowstone fishing permit, which you can purchase at visitor centers and many park entrance stations. Anglers 15 and under fish free but must be accompanied by a permitted adult.
Yellowstone Lake is the most accessible, with pull-offs and access points near Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins and other developed areas along its north and west shores. Swan Lake, Harlequin Lake, and Lost Lake are also reachable with short walks from trailheads. Grizzly Lake and Mallard Lake involve a few miles of hiking but don't require overnight permits.
Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Threemile Campground
~54 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Fisherman's Point
~1h 5m drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Henry's Fork: Last Chance
~1h 8m drive
Expert
Old Faithful Inn
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Basin Station Cabin
~60 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Big Springs Grp. Area - Island Park
~57 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Warm River Cabin
~1h 7m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Flat Rock
~1h 4m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Rex Hale
~1h 13m drive
A worthwhile stop near WY.
Upper Coffee Pot
~1h 6m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Warm River
~1h 17m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Lake fishing
Yellowstone National Park, WY
A medium-action spinning or fly rod in the 5- to 7-weight range covers most situations. Cutthroat trout in Yellowstone's lakes respond well to dry flies, streamers, and small lures near the surface, especially in morning and evening. Check the current park regulations before you go — some waters are fly-fishing only or have restrictions on hook type and bait.
Early morning and the two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive windows, when cutthroat are actively feeding near the surface. Midday fishing can still work, particularly on overcast days or in deeper sections of Yellowstone Lake. Wind picks up on Yellowstone Lake most afternoons, which can make shore fishing harder and boat control more demanding.
For anglers who want less company and a genuine wilderness setting, yes. Both lakes require a hike of several miles and a backcountry camping permit if you're staying overnight. Shoshone Lake is the largest backcountry lake in the lower 48 with no road access, and Heart Lake sits below Mount Sheridan at 7,458 feet. Plan your permit well in advance, especially for summer weekends.
