Fishing Regulations - Yellowstone Up Close and Personal

Fishing RegulationsYellowstoneNational ParkFor More InformationIf you have questions about informationin this guide, please contact:Visitor Services OfficeP.O. Box 168Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190307-344-2107To read the Yellowstone fisheries andaquatic sciences annual reports, go to:www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/publications.htmTwomanagementareasBarbless hookONLYKnow Your Fish—If it has a redslash, put itback!Clean YourGear—Do not bringaquatic invasivespecies intoYellowstone!Covers: Joe Tomelleri (fluvial Arctic grayling, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, Snake River finespottedcutthroat trout, westslope cutthroat trout); page 3: Sandra Nykerk; page 4: Ron Hedrick, U. California/Davis; Dan Gustafson; Fl. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (fromUSGS website); Ted Snider, Ill. Natural History Survey; Mark Anderson, Glen Canyon NRA; David Riecks,U. Illinois/Urbana–Champaign (from SGNIS website); p. 5: State of Washington, Depts. of Fish andWildlife, and Ecology; p. 7: Todd Koel; p. 14: Jeff Hetrick; p. 16: Nathan Varley; p. 17: NPS photo.All illustrations and photos listed here © by originator except NPS photo, which is public domain.Printed on recycled paper & vegetable ink u Revised February 2006; Reprinted March 2009

How to Use These Regulations1. Familiarize yourself with the GENERAL REGULATIONS, listed on pages6–7. They include permit requirements for fishing, boats, and float tubes;tackle & bait restrictions; and size or possession limits.2. See the map on pages 8–10 to determine which of the twomanagement areas within the park—the Native Trout ConservationArea or the Wild Trout Enhancement Area—you will be in.3. Read the POSSESSION LIMITS BY MANAGEMENT AREA on page 8 todetermine the allowed harvest. Catch-and-release is mandatory forcutthroat trout and all other native species in both management areas.4. Check if the stream or lake you will be fishing is listed on page 10 in theEXCEPTIONS TO GENERAL REGULATIONS.ContentsAquatic Invasive Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–5General Regulations—fishing & boating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–7Management Area Limits and Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–10Exceptions to General Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Fish Identification and Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11–13Releasing Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Volunteer Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Angler Etiquette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Illegal Actions/Reporting Violations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Yellowstone’s Fishery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Frequently Asked Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17For More Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back CoverStay Safe & LegalYou are responsible for following all park regulations.Consult Yellowstone Today, BackcountryTrip Planner, or rangers at visitor centers andbackcountry offices.u Stay on established trails in thermal areas foryour safety and to protect these fragile areas.u Stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves,and 25 yards from all other animals.u Know how to avoid bears and what to do ifyou encounter a bear.u Carry bear pepper spray and know howto use it.u Do not feed any animals, including birds.Help preserve Yellowstone for the future.3

Aquatic Invasive SpeciesAlready herewhirling disease parasiteNew Zealand mud snailOn their wayEurasian water-milfoilspiny waterflea (plankton)zebra musselThree invasive species already exist in Yellowstone’s waters:Whirling disease parasite causes deformities in young nativetrout, which then cannot feed normally and are vulnerable topredation. Whirling disease exists in Pelican Creek and its tributaries,one of the largest aquatic systems draining into Yellowstone Lake.New Zealand mud snails occur in many park streams, wherethey consume aquatic vegetation that immature trout and other nativespecies depend on.Lake trout, a non-native predatory species, were introduced toYellowstone and Heart lakes, which are native cutthroat waters. Theygrow much larger than native cutthroat trout and consume the nativetrout’s young and adults, and compete with the native trout for food.lake troutThese invasive species are likely to arrive in Yellowstone:Eurasian water-milfoil grows in lakes, ponds, shallowreservoirs, and calm areas of rivers and streams. It is particularlytroublesome in water bodies that experience abundant motorboat use(such as Bridge Bay). Milfoil colonizes new habitats just from stemfragments transported by boating equipment.Exotic plankton, such as spiny waterflea, displace nativezooplankton and are difficult for young fish to eat because of theirlong spines. Plankton eggs can remain dormant for decades, evensurviving passage through fish guts to colonize new waters.Zebra mussel adults are usually the size of your fingernail, but cangrow to two inches in length. The larvae (immature form) can be sotiny that you cannot see them. However, exotic species larvae can livein mud, dirt, sand, and on plant fragments.Exotic fish species, such as bighead carp, silver carp, and otherscan irreversibly damage ecosystems through competition with nativefish.Prevent the spread of aquatic invasive speciesBefore you enter Yellowstone National Park and any time you move to another body of waterwithin the park:Clean your boatClean your gear1. Remove ALL visible mud, plants, fish, or other tiny animals from your boats, trailers, andother equipment, including waders, boots, clothing, and nets.2. DO NOT dump any water from other sources into Yellowstone waters. Drain your boat hulland live well in a safe location (a flat, paved, dirt, or gravel area) away from all park surfacewaters.3. NEVER empty bait or release fish, other animals, or plants into a body of water unless theycame out of it. It is illegal to transport live fish within the park.4. CLEAN AND DRY EVERYTHING that comes in contact with water before entering a newbody of water, following these directions:u Dry everything in the sun for 5 days oru Use high-pressure, hot (>104°F) water (available at car washes outside the park) to clean yourboat, trailer, waders, and equipmentDispose of all bait before you enter Yellowstone National ParkNo natural or organic bait such as minnows, salmon eggs, worms, insects, or foodstuffs—aliveor dead—are allowed in Yellowstone National Park. See General Regulation 4b on page 6 fordetails and the one exception.4bighead carp5

General Regulations61The season begins the Saturday of MemorialDay weekend (usually the last weekend inMay) and extends through the first Sunday inNovember. Exceptions are listed on page 10.Open daily from sunrise to sunset. Fishing withan artificial light is prohibited. Some areas areclosed to human entry, have trail or seasonalclosures, off-trail travel and daylight hourlimitations, or party size recommendations.See the Bear Management Area restrictions inthe Backcountry Trip Planner for specificrules and information.Streams may be temporarily closed due tolow water levels and high water temperaturesto protect fish populations.2Fishing Hours & Season DatesFishing Permitsa. When required, anglers must be inpossession of a valid Yellowstone NationalPark fishing permit to fish in the park. Afee permit is required for anglers 16 yearsof age or older. Anglers 15 years of age oryounger have two options:1. Children 15 or younger may fishwithout a permit if they are fishing underthe direct supervision of an adult whohas a valid park fishing permit.2. Children 15 or younger may obtaina free permit that must be signed by aresponsible adult; with this permit, achild can fish without direct adult supervision.With either option, the adult is responsible forthe child’s actions and must ensure the childcomplies with all fishing regulations andprovisions.b. Park rangers may check permits, inspecttackle, fish, creels, or other containerswhere fish or tackle may be stored.3Boat & Float Tube PermitsAll types of vessels—including float tubes—require a boat permit. Fees are charged. Floattubes are not allowed on certain lakes or onany river or stream in Yellowstone except theLewis River between Lewis and Shoshonelakes. Obtain permits in person at the SouthEntrance, Lewis Lake Campground, GrantVillage Backcountry Office, and Bridge BayRanger Station. Obtain non-motorized permits(only) at Mammoth, Canyon, or Old Faithfulbackcountry offices, Northeast Entrance, theWest Yellowstone Visitor Information Center,and the Bechler Ranger Station.4Tackle & Bait Restrictionsa. Each angler may use only one rod or line,which must be attended at all times.b. Only artificial lures and flies may be used.No natural or organic bait such as minnows,salmon eggs, worms, insects, or foodstuffsare allowed. Scented attractants are illegal.Exception: Gardner River drainage, wherechildren 11 years of age or younger mayfish with worms as bait. See map and charton pages 8–10, or inquire at the MammothVisitor Center.c. Hooks must be barbless, or barbs must bepinched down by pliers.d. Lures may have only one hook with a single,double, or treble configuration. No fishsnagging is allowed.e. Flies may have only one hook with a singlepoint. Up to two flies may be used on asingle leader.f. Leaded fishing tackle such as leaded splitshotsinkers, weighted jigs (lead molded toa hook), and soft lead-weighted ribbon fornymph fishing are not allowed. Lead coreline and heavy (> 4 lb.) downrigger weightsused to fish for deep-dwelling lake trout arepermissible because they are too large to beingested by wildlife.5 Bridge & Boat Dock RestrictionsNo fishing from any road bridge or boat dock.6a. Size and possession limits vary by speciesand management area. The maximumnumber of fish an angler can keep is fivefish per day. An angler must cease fishingimmediately after filling the possessionlimit. Exceptions: all lake trout caught fromYellowstone Lake must be killed; no limitfor lake trout caught from Heart Lake.Possession limits include all fish—fresh,stored, or preserved.b. Fish that do not meet the specified sizerestrictions must be returned carefullyand immediately to the waters from whichthey were taken. Unintentionally killedfish should also be returned to the waterso they can be consumed by wildlife. It isthe responsibility of the angler to be able tomeasure fish lengths and to identify fish byspecies.7Evidence of Fish SpeciesIf you keep any fish, you must leave the skinattached to the fish so the fish species can bevisibly identified. In the Lewis River systemabove the Lewis River Falls, including theLewis Channel and Shoshone Lake, youmay keep only one fish greater than 20˝ andit—along with all other fish in your possession,while in transit or in the field—must be wholewith head, skin, fins, and tail attached. Gillsand entrails may be removed from all fishin possession but discarded only within thewaters where the fish were caught.8Size & Possession LimitsDisposal of Fish & EntrailsYou must dispose of fish and fish entrailswithin the waters where the fish was caughtand at least 100 feet from backcountrycampsites. For more instructions for fish andentrail disposal, see page 13.Where to TakeYoung AnglersFamilies and young anglers can enjoy fishingtogether in many locations throughout thepark. Park rangers’ kids recommend:u Mammoth: Blacktail Deer Creek, IndianCreek near campground, Gardner River atthe picnic area between the North Entranceand Mammoth, Joffe Lakeu Lake: Yellowstone Lake along Gull PointDrive or at Sand Pointu Grant: Aster Creek near Lewis Falls, LewisLake shorelineu East Entrance: Middle Creek, Sylvan Lakeu Norris: Gibbon River at Virginia Meadowsor other meadow reaches, Solfatara Creeknear campgroundu Madison: Gibbon River near Tuff Cliffsu Old Faithful: Goose Lake, Firehole River atpicnic areas, Nez Perce Creeku Northeast area: Pebble Creek nearcampground, Trout Lake7

Possession & Length Limits By Management AreaExceptions to General Regulations8Native Trout Conservation AreaThis area conserves native trout in theirremaining drainages, including:u Gallatin, Yellowstone, Shoshone,Snake, and Falls rivers, tributaries, andassociated lakesu Hebgen Lake tributaries and associatedlakes, including Cougar Creek, DuckCreek, and Grayling Creek systemsThis area does not include the Lewis Riversystem above Lewis River Falls (Lewis andShoshone lakes and tributaries).Possession and length limits:u Catch and release all native species.u Possession limit: 5 combined nonnativefish any size per day.u All lake trout from Yellowstone Lakemust be killed.u No possession limit on lake trout inHeart Lake.Wild Trout Enhancement AreaThis area conserves native trout and somenon-native trout. It includes:u Madison River, its tributaries andassociated lakes (but not includingstreams and associated lakes tributaryto Hebgen Lake)u Lewis River system above the LewisRiver Falls, including Lewis andShoshone Lakes and their tributariesPossession and length limits:u Catch and release all native species.u Catch and release all rainbow trout andbrown trout.u Possession limit: 5 combined brooktrout or lake trout. Exception: In theLewis River system above the LewisRiver Falls, this combination mayinclude two brown trout.u Above Lewis River Falls, one fish >20˝;all fish in possession must remainwhole.GallatinSpecimenDuckWest EntranceBKGraylingCougarGYMWBoundaryFanBKBNCTCTMWRTBNRTBKBNRTBNCTRTGneissMapleBKMadisonLittle FireholeRTGallatinCTBechlerCougarMidwayFallsMadisonFireholeRTBKBNFairyBiscuit BasinRTBNCTCT, RTNorth EntranceCT, MW, RT, BK, BNMammothHot SpringsIndianFireholeBKGibbonBKBKPantherBKGardnerObsidianRTBNGYMWRTBKBNGlenOld FaithfulBNBKLTGardnerGibbon FallsNez PerceSHOSHONELAKECTBKRTDeLacyBlacktailPondsJoffeeLakeBKLavaNorrisBNBKLTCT, MWRT, BNBKLEWISLAKELewisGibbonL.ThumbThumbSouth EntranceKnowles FallsBKGYRTBlacktailOtterAlumArnicaWestThumbGrantRiddleLakeBKGYCTHellroaringTroutCottonwoodElk AntlerHEARTLAKETowerJunctionRTTowerCanyonYellowstoneCTMWRTMudVolcanoCT LakeBridge BayCTCTMWLTTower FallYellowstoneChittenden BridgeCTMWCTRTSilver CordCascadeGrouseSnakeBuffaloAgateSulphur CaldronCTLeHardys RapidsFishingBridgeYellowstoneLakeCT, LTCTLamarCTPelicanCubChipmunkCTRTSloughMcBrideLakeTurbid LakeClearCTCTRTSedgeCTPebbleShrimp LakeBuck LakeTrout LakeColumbineCTTrailSylvanLakeCTRTYellowstoneSoda ButteCacheLamarMillerSeasonal Bear Closure AreaEleanorLakeBeaverdamCTCTCalfeeEast EntranceCTBNBKRTMiddleCTCTNortheastEntranceCTArea withinclosed to fishingClosed to all fishingFlyfishing ONLYRoadMadison & GallatinRiver Drainages(including Firehole andGibbon rivers andtributaries)Snake River Drainage(Snake and Lewis rivers andtributaries)Lower YellowstoneRiver Drainage(Yellowstone and LamarRivers & tributaries betweenNorth Park Boundary andChittenden Bridge nearCanyon)Middle YellowstoneRiver Drainage(between ChittendenBridge near Canyon andYellowstone Lake)Yellowstone Lake andUpper YellowstoneRiver Drainage(Lake & tributaries)If a stream or lake is not listed by name or as a tributary, general regulationsapply. You must follow bear management and hydrothermal area restrictionslisted in the Backcountry Trip Planner, which is available in backcountryoffices or at www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/publications.htm.a. Closed to fishing: Firehole River from road bridge 1 ⁄2 mile upstream of Old Faithful to roadbridge at Biscuit Basin; Firehole River 200 yards either side of Midway footbridge; MadisonRiver from Seven Mile Bridge upstream 250 yards.b. Flyfishing only: Madison River, Firehole River, Gibbon River below Gibbon Falls (not includingtheir tributaries). Use only artificial flies regardless of the type of rod or line.a. Heart Lake opens to fishing July 1 due to bear activity.b. No size or possession limit on lake trout caught in Heart Lake.c. Above Lewis River Falls, one fish >20˝; all fish in possession must remain whole. See p. 7,Section 7.a. Agate and Cottonwood creeks, and portions of the Yellowstone River within 100 yards of thesecreeks, open to fishing July 15.b. Gardner River, Obsidian, Indian, and Panther creeks, and Joffe Lake: Children 11 years of age oryounger may fish with worms as bait.c. Slough Creek upper meadows have been invaded by rainbow trout. If you are positive of yourfish identification, please harvest rainbow trout here to help conserve cutthroat trout.d. Trout, Shrimp, and Buck lakes, and connecting waters, open to fishing June 15. The stream andinlet area that drains into Trout Lake opens to fishing July 15.e. Closed to fishing: Yellowstone River, from Chittenden Bridge downstream through the GrandCanyon of the Yellowstone to a point directly below Silver Cord Cascade.a. Fishing season opens July 15.b. Permanently closed to fishing:i. Fishing Bridge and an area one mile downstream (toward Canyon) and one-quarter mileupstream (toward Yellowstone Lake) from the bridge.ii. The Yellowstone River for 100 yards up- and downstream of LeHardys Rapids.iii. The entire west channel of the Yellowstone River near the road at Nez Perce Ford.iv. The Yellowstone River and its tributaries through Hayden Valley from the confluence ofAlum Creek upstream (toward Yellowstone Lake) to Sulphur Caldron.a. Fishing season on Yellowstone Lake opens June 15.b. Streams flowing into Yellowstone Lake (its tributaries) and areas within 100 yards of eachstream’s outlet open July 15.c. Clear and Cub creeks open August 11 due to bear activity.d. Sylvan and Eleanor lakes open to fishing July 15. Boats and float tubes are prohibited.e. Permanently closed to fishing:i. Pelican Creek and its tributaries.ii. The shoreline of Yellowstone Lake from West Thumb Geyser basin to Little Thumb Creek (toprotect fragile thermal resources).iii. Bridge Bay Marina/Harbor & Grant Village Marina/Harbor and their channels to the lake.f. All lake trout caught in Yellowstone Lake, its tributaries, and the YellowstoneRiver must be killed. If you do not want to keep the fish, puncture the air bladder (seedrawing page 13) and drop it into water as deep as possible.10

Species Regulations and DescriptionsThe map on the reverse side indicates known locations of fish species within the boundariesof Yellowstone National Park, using the two-letter abbreviations below. This map is providedas an aid to anglers fishing for particular species and does not imply a legal basis for speciesdistribution.Brown Trout—BNNon-Nativespale haloes around black spotsBrook Trout—BKNon-Nativesworm-like markingslight spots, dark backgroundIt is your responsibility to distinguish one fish species from another.Cutthroat Trout—CTCATCH & RELEASE ONLYWidely distributed in many drainagesArctic Grayling—GYCATCH & RELEASE ONLYNativesfew spots on headonly species with red slashdark spots, yellowish/brownishbackgroundnever white onedge of finsTwo subspecies: Yellowstone (large spotted form& fine spotted form, aka Snake River cutthroat) &Westslope. All fish with red slash are consideredcutthroat. If it has a red slash, put it back.large, sail-like dorsal finDistributed in Gallatin, Gibbon,Firehole, Madison, Lewis,Snake, and Gardner rivers, andthe Yellowstone River. Browntrout do not exist in YellowstoneLake, Bechler or Falls rivers.Rainbow Trout—RTNative Trout Conservation Area:5 fish any size in combinationWild Trout Enhancement Area: CATCH AND RELEASEEXCEPT Lewis River System (Lewis Lake, Lewis Channel, andShoshone Lake and tributaries) TWO FISH (only one fish of anyspecies over 20˝; all fish in possession must remain whole)numerous spots on headred spotsdark & light edge on finsNative Trout Conservation Area:5 fish any size in combinationWild Trout Enhancement Area: 5 fish any size in combinationWidely distributed due to historic stocking, however, brook trout do not exist in Yellowstone Lake,Yellowstone River above the Upper Falls, or the Gallatin River.Lake Trout—LTnumerous spots on headwhite spots, dark backgrounddeeply forked tailoften whiteon edge of fins11dark spots on fronthalf of bodylarge scalesDistributed throughout Gibbon River, sometimes in Madison and Firehole riversMountain Whitefish—MWCATCH & RELEASE ONLYbody almost round on cross-sectionsmall mouth, no teethDistributed throughout Snake and Lewis rivers, other areas as noted in maplarge scalessmall scalesoften whiteon edge of finsNative Trout Conservation Area:5 fish any size in combinationWild Trout Enhancement Area: CATCH AND RELEASEWidely distributed due to historic stocking, however, rainbow trout do not exist in Yellowstone Lake,Yellowstone River above the Upper Falls, or the Snake River.A Note about Hybridized (genetically impure) Cutthroat TroutIn cutthroat trout waters where rainbow trout have been introduced, either by intentional, historicstocking or by invasion from a downstream source, the result has been a serious degradation ofthe cutthroat trout population through interbreeding of the two species. Presently, hybridizedcutthroat trout exist throughout the Bechler, Falls, Gallatin, Gardner, and Lamar rivers, and theYellowstone River below the Upper Falls.Cutthroat/rainbow trout hybrids will have characteristics (coloration and spotting patterns) thatare consistent with the two species, making identification often difficult. In all cases, hybridizedcutthroat trout that have any indication of a red/orange jaw slash are fully protected by catchand-releaseregulation. “If it has a red slash, put it back.”Distributed in Heart, Lewis,Shoshone, and YellowstoneLakes.If you do not want to keeplake trout, puncture the airbladder and drop it intowater as deep as possible. Inthe backcountry, dispose offish entrails and remains infast moving or deep waterafter puncturing the airbladder. When fishing fromshore, consider wrappingentrails around a rock andthrowing into deep water.1. Yellowstone Lake, its tributaries, and theYellowstone River: All lake trout caught must be killed. If youdo not want to keep the fish, puncture the air bladder and drop itinto water as deep as possible.2. Heart Lake: No size or possession limit. Do not discard laketrout carcasses along lake shore as they will attract bears.3. Lewis Lake, Lewis Channel, and Shoshone Lake andtheir tributaries: FIVE FISH in combination (only one fish ofany species over 20˝; all fish in possession must remain whole).You are allowed to use special gear to fish for lake trout, such as leadcoreline and heavy (> 4 lb.) downrigger weights to allow targetinglake trout deep within the lake. If you accidentally hook a cutthroattrout at great depths and bring it to the surface, handle it quicklyand release it carefully, so it won’t die.air bladder13

Releasing FishVolunteer AnglersAngler Etiquette14u For all native fish and any non-native fishyou are intending to release, bring the fishin as quickly as possible. Do not play thefish to exhaustion.u Unhook the fish in quiet water such as aneddy or slow spot. Do not drag the fishacross land. Use a forceps or small needlenosedpliers to quickly remove the hook.u If you must handle the fish, always makesure your hands are wet. (Fish have aprotective mucous film sensitive to dryhuman hands.)u The best way to hold a fish (with wethands) is one hand around the tail sectionand the other beneath the belly just behindthe pectoral fins. Never grab or hold a fishthrough the gills unless it is already dead.u If you want a photo of the fish, make surethe photographer is ready before youhandle the fish. Make it quick.u Never just throw a fish back into the water.If a fish becomes passive, it is probablyclose to exhaustion. Gently remove thehook within calm water, then lightly cradleTo briefly holda fish beforereleasing it, followthis angler’sexample—hold thefish carefully withwet hands.the fish with your hands to see what itdoes. If it struggles to keep itself upright,hold the fish around its tail and beneathits belly with its head facing upstream intothe current. Move the fish gently back andforth toward and away from the current.You should notice the gills opening andclosing due to the rush of water. This is likegiving a fish mouth to mouth resuscitation.When the fish has recovered it should swimaway on its own.u Hooks and lures typically have barbs whenpurchased. With small pliers you mustpinch down the barbs. Without barbs moreskill is required in landing and bringingin fish but hook removal is easier and lesstraumatic to the fish and perhaps yourself.u Spinning lures typically have three hookscalled treble hooks. With wire cutters youcan snip off one of the hooks or snap oneoff with pliers; you also must pinch downall the barbs. Two hooks are still effectiveand easier to remove and less traumatic.u If the fish is deeply hooked, cut the line—do not pull out the hook. Most fish survivewith hooks left in them.u When filling out the Volunteer AnglerReport (see at right), you can use yourrod to quickly estimate the length of yourfish. Just measure and mark (with tape ornail polish) various lengths on your rod.Remember, the less time the fish is handledout of the water the better chance it has ofrecovering.Yellowstone VolunteerFlyfishing ProgramSince 2002, anglers have been directly assistingYellowstone’s fisheries staff. Using catch-andreleaseangling to capture fish, they gatherbiological information on fish populationslocated throughout the park. Their projectshave included:u determining the range of hybridizedYellowstone cutthroat trout in the LamarRiver and its major tributariesu documenting the Pebble Creek and BeulaLake fisheriesu documenting the status and movementpatterns of grayling originating in Grebe andWolf lakes of the Gibbon River systemu documenting the status and geneticuniqueness of westslope cutthroat trout inGrayling CreekThrough this program, volunteer anglersexperience many fisheries issues first hand, andtheir biological data increases understanding ofthe park’s fisheries.The Volunteer Angler Report—Your Chance to ContributeSince 1973, anglers have been providingvaluable fishery information to YellowstoneNational Park managers by filling out theVolunteer Angler Report (VAR) card, which isissued with each fishing permit. Managers usethis information to estimate angling pressure,landing and creel rates, sizes of fish landed,and angler satisfaction. For many park waters,these reports are the only data available. Helpus manage your park’s fisheries by completingand returning your VAR card, whether or notyou actually fished or caught fish. To obtaina summary of the data, indicate so in thecomment section and include your email orpostal address.u Use established trails and avoid sensitivewetland vegetation such as bogs and seeps.Heavy trail use in these areas causes erosionand loss of habitat essential to many ofYellowstone’s wildlife.u Anglers must stay on established trails inthermal areas and must not cross theseareas or approach thermal features.u Avoid using the streambed as a pathway.Your footsteps can damage aquatic habitatsand kill eggs and/or fry in the gravel.u Do not overfish a good fishing area. Fish fora while, and then move on.u Do not encroach on another angler’s spaceand keep out of sight of other anglers, ifpossible.u During late July and August, when watertemperatures can be high, do most of yourfishing early and late in the day. Allow fishto rest during the heat of the day.Illegal Actionsu To possess a native cutthroat trout, or anyother native fish.u To bring into the park any live or dead bait(minnows, leeches, salamanders, etc), withone exception. (See page 6, section 4b.)u To transport live fish within the park.u To move water, sediment, fish, fish eggs,aquatic invertebrates, or plants from onewater body to another.u To use parts of trout or any other fish forbait.u To put any substance in the water for thepurpose of attracting fish (chumming).u To leave a fishing line unattended.If you witness a violation, pleasereport it immediately to a law enforcementranger, or call 307-344-7381 and press “zero”to immediately reach park dispatch.15

Yellowstone’s FisheryFrequently Asked Questions16u 11 native species including 3 sport fish:cutthroat trout (2 subspecies), fluvial Arcticgrayling, and mountain whitefish.u 5 non-native species: brook trout, browntrout, lake trout, rainbow trout, lake chub.u More than 220 lakes comprise approximately107,000 surface acres in Yellowstone;94 percent can be attributed to Yellowstone,Shoshone, Lewis, and Heart lakes.u 1,000 streams make up more than 2,650miles of running water.u Cutthroat trout are a primary food for baldeagles, ospreys, pelicans, otters, and grizzlybears.History of Fisheries ManagementWhen Yellowstone became a national park,more than 40 percent of its waters werebarren of fish—including Shoshone Lake,Lewis Lake, and the Firehole River aboveFirehole Falls. Early park managers transplantedfish into new locations, producedmore fish in hatcheries, and introducednon-native species. By the mid-20th century,more than 310 million fish had been stockedin the park. Stocking no longer occurs. About40 lakes have fish; the remainder were eithernot stocked or have reverted to their originalfishless condition.Native FishThe ranges and densities of the park’s nativefish species have been substantially alteredduring the past century due to exploitation,introduction of exotic species, and naturalfactors. Large-scale habitat degradation—suchas water diversions or water pollution—hasnot occurred in the park.The Impact of Non-Native TroutNon-native trout are important to the anglerexperience in Yellowstone, but they contributeto the decline in the park’s native cutthroattrout and fluvial Arctic grayling by competingfor food and habitat, preying on native fish,and degrading the genetic integrity of nativefish by mating with them and creating hybrids.Maintaining Native Fish GeneticsNon-native rainbow trout interbreed withnative cutthroat trout, producing hybrids.Once this happens, a cutthroat population canbe restored to genetic purity only if all fish areremoved from a stream and genetically purecutthroat are reintroduced. To reduce hybridizationin the park’s cutthroat trout waters,anglers are encouraged to harvest rainbowtrout.Maintaining the Park’sEcological IntegrityIn Yellowstone, bald eagles, ospreys,pelicans, otters, grizzly bears, and otherwildlife take precedence over humans inutilizing fish as food. Fish management andregulations reflect this priority. For example,some waters are closed to fishing to protectthreatened and endangered species, andsensitive nesting birds. Regulations banlead tackle because the lead concentratesin aquatic environments,posing a risk of leadpoisoning to waterfowlthat might ingest it. Onlynon-toxic alternatives tolead are allowed. (See page6, 4b, for one exception.)How manyanglers cometo Yellowstoneeach year?About 50,000 ofthe park’s threemillion visitors fishwhile they are inYellowstone.Why can’t wefish fromFishing Bridge?Fishing Bridge,situated over acutthroat troutspawning area, wasonce a popular placeto fish (photo).Declining numbersof cutthroat troutcaused park officials to close the bridge tofishing to protect the spawning fish. Nowthe bridge is a popular place to observe andphotograph fish.Why are barbless hooks required?Many fish have been injured or deformed bybarbed hooks, especially in the park’s popularstreams, such as the Yellowstone River andSoda Butte Creek. Barbless hooks reduce hookinjuries and the time you need to handle thefish, and improve the overall condition oftrout in heavily-fished waters of the park.Why is fishing lead-free inYellowstone?Lead is a severe environmental contaminantand a toxic substance that has no knownbeneficial biological function. Wildlife, suchas loons, waterfowl, cranes, and shorebirds,are vulnerable to lead poisoning. Of particularconcern in Yellowstone are the alarmingly lowpopulations of trumpeter swans and loons. Tominimize the effects of lead on these species,Yellowstone National Park bans most leadtackle. (Lead core line and heavy [> 4 lb.]downrigger weights used to fish for deepdwellinglake trout are permissible becausethey are too large to be ingested by wildlife.)How do anglers help Yellowstone?Fly fishing is a major industry in the GreaterYellowstone Ecosystem, and park anglersspend millions here annually. Angler groupshave supported management actions, such ascatch-and-release of native species and closingthe Fishing Bridge to fishing, and have helpedfund research on aquatic systems. In addition,anglers help by:u correctly identifying fish and selectivelyremoving non-native trout in waters wherethey are causing harm (such as the uppermeadows of Slough Creek)u removing lake trout, a non-native fishthat preys on an important population ofYellowstone cutthroat trout in YellowstoneLakeu taking actions to prevent the spread ofaquatic invasive species (see pages 4–5)­u filling out and returning the VolunteerAngler Report card (see page 15)17