Fishing Regulations 2020
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Yellowstone National Park Fishing Regulations 2020 Know the fish, know the rules Precious habitat • Special protection • Exceptional fishing Purpose of Yellowstone Fishing Regulations Fishing regulations in Yellowstone National Park are structured to strongly support native fish conservation goals. Cutthroat trout are the sole, native trout of the park and were the dominant fish species here prior to Euroamerican settlement. Cutthroat trout, Arctic grayling, mountain white- fish, and other native fishes are important to the ecology of Yellowstone. Introduced nonnative fish cause loss of native fish The abundance of native fish has been reduced because of impacts by intro- duced nonnative fish, including brook, brown, lake, and rainbow trout. These nonnative species continue to contribute to the decline in the park’s native fish population by competing for food and habitat, preying on native fish, and degrading the genetic integrity of native fish through hybridization. Anglers assist with native species conservation Angling is one way that the nonnative fish can be selectively removed from an area without damaging the native fishery. Within the Native Trout Conservation Area, anglers are strongly encouraged, and in some cases required, to harvest nonnative fishes. This harvest will help to conserve the na- tive fish and the natural ecosystems they support. Stay Safe and Legal You are responsible for following all park regulations. Consult Yellowstone’s park newspaper, Backcountry Trip Planner, or rangers at visitor centers and backcountry offices to learn more. • Stay on established trails in thermal areas for your safety and to protect these fragile areas. • Do not discard fish carcasses or entrails along stream banks or the lake shore as they will attract bears. • Do not feed any animals, including birds, squirrels, and coyotes. Bear Warning • Bears and other wildlife may appear in areas frequented by people—even on trails, boardwalks, and along roads. Do not approach wildlife and remain at least 100 yards (92 meters) away from bears and wolves, and 25 yards (23 meters) away from all other wildlife. • Be alert—watch for bears and bear sign, like fresh tracks or scat. • Make noise in areas where visibility is limited. • Carry bear spray and know how to use it. • Avoid hiking or fishing alone. Try to stay with a group of three or more people. • DO NOT RUN if you encounter a bear. Contents General Regulations ....................................................................... 2–6 Seasons, dates, fishing hours, permit requirements, tackle restrictions, catch and release, mandatory kill, and possession limits. Fishing ................................................................ 2 Boating ............................................................... 6 Releasing Fish .................................................................................. 7 Regional Regulations ...................................................................... 8–15 Summary and exceptions to general regulations for each region of the park. Northwest Region Regulations ....................... 8 Northeast Region Regulations ........................ 10 Southwest Region Regulations ........................ 12 Southeast Region Regulations ......................... 14 Fish Identification ........................................................................... 16–20 Know each fish species on sight in order to comply with native trout conserva- tion requirements. Native ................................................................. 16 Nonnative .......................................................... 18 Angler Etiquette .............................................................................. 21 Frequently Asked Questions .......................................................... 22 Glossary ........................................................................................... 24 1 General Regulations Fishing Fishing/angling is defined as any activity using an attended single rod or line for the purpose of attempt- ing to attract, capture, or possess any fish from waters within Yellowstone National Park. All other methods to attract, capture, or possess fish are prohibited. Fishing hours and season dates The season begins the Saturday Anglers 15 years of age or younger of Memorial Day weekend (usu- have two options: ally the last weekend in May) and 1. Children 15 or younger may fish extends through the first Sunday in without a permit if they are fishing November. Exceptions are listed in under the direct supervision of an regional regulations (p. 8–15). adult who has a valid park fishing permit. Hours are daily from sunrise to sunset. Fishing with an artificial 2. Children 15 or younger may obtain light is prohibited. Some areas are a free permit that must be signed by closed to human entry, have trail or a responsible adult; with this per- seasonal closures, off-trail travel and mit, a child can fish without direct daylight hour limitations, or party adult supervision. size recommendations. See the Bear Management Area restrictions in the With either option, the accompany- Backcountry Trip Planner for specific ing adult is responsible for the child’s rules and information. actions and must ensure the child complies with all fishing regulations Streams may be temporarily closed due and provisions. to low water levels and high water tem- peratures to protect fish populations. Gear restrictions Fishing permits Each angler may use only one rod, which must be closely attended Anglers 16 years of age or older at all times and used for angling must be in possession of a valid only—intentional snagging of fish is Yellowstone National Park fishing prohibited. permit to fish in the park. Park rangers may check permits and Only lead-free artificial lures inspect tackle, fish, creels, or other (e.g., spoon or spinner) or flies may containers where fish or tackle may be used. Leaded fishing tackle such be stored. as leaded split-shot sinkers, weighted jigs (lead molded to a hook), and soft 2 General Regulations FAQ: Why are barbless hooks required? Barbless hooks reduce injuries and the time needed to handle fish, and improve the overall condition of trout in heavily- fished waters of the park. A single pointed hook is the best choice for fishing in Yellowstone. Three-point are allowed. Organic baits include hooks can severely injure fish and are fish or fish parts, minnows, salmon often constructed with toxic lead solder. eggs, worms, insects, or foodstuffs such as bread or corn. Inorganic baits lead-weighted ribbon for nymph fish- include rubber worms and plastic ing are not allowed. “twister” tails. Scented attractants Hooks must have points that are (liquid and solid baits) are illegal. barbless, or the barbs must be Putting any substance in the water for pinched down by pliers. Lures may the purpose of attracting fish (chum- have only one hook with single, ming) is illegal. double, or triple points. Felt-soled footgear prohibited Each fly may have only one hook. Up To reduce the potential for to two flies may be used on a single introduction or spread of aquatic leader (also called “dry and drop- invasive species, footgear with per,” or “hopper and dropper”). absorbent felt or other fibrous material on the soles are prohibited. Except for feathers and other typical fly-tying materials, the hook must be Tackle exceptions bare. No organic or inorganic baits Non-toxic split-shot, sinkers, and jig heads molded with bismuth-tin, mo- lybdenum, or tungsten are allowed. FAQ: Why is fishing lead- Lead core line and heavy (> 4 lb.) free in Yellowstone? downrigger weights used to fish for Lead is a toxic environmental deep-dwelling lake trout are permis- contaminant. It accumulates in sible because they are too large to be fatty tissue, eventually caus- ingested by wildlife. ing lead poisoning. Wildlife Artificial lures are not allowed on the such as waterfowl, cranes, Firehole River, Madison River, and and shorebirds are vulnerable lower Gibbon River (below Gibbon because of their largely fish- Falls); these streams are fly fishing based diets. only. 3 General Regulations Possession limits All native fish must be released Each angler must be able unharmed. Natives include cutthroat to correctly identify various trout, mountain whitefish, and Arctic fish species. grayling. See pages 16–17 for photos ALL NATIVE FISH MUST BE and further descriptions. RELEASED UNHARMED North Entrance ! Northeast ! Entrance ! Mammoth r. C h ug lo . Tower S r C ! e tt u B a od S NORTHEAST L a REGION m a r R i v Norris e !Canyon r NORTHWEST ! r Y e e v ll REGION i o w R on s ! Madison R Gibb t iver o ! n e Madison West Ri ve Entrance r F Fishing Bridge i r ! e h Lake o ! l e Bridge ! R ¹ i Bay v e East r ! Entrance Old ! Yellowstone Faithful Lake West Thumb! SOUTHEAST ! Grant REGION Village SOUTHWEST REGION Bechler ! South ! Entrance Nonnative Trout Tolerance Area Streams Park Boundary Native Trout Conservation Area Roads Region Boundary 0 5 10 20 miles 4 General Regulations Native Trout brook, brown or lake trout; only Conservation Area one of which may be a brown trout. All native fish must be released un- It is the responsibility of the angler harmed. No possession limit for non- to be able to identify fish by species. native fish, including brown, brook, Unintentionally killed fish should be rainbow, and lake trout (p. 8–15). returned to the water so they can be • All rainbow trout, brook trout, consumed by wildlife. and identifiable cutthroat x rain- bow hybrids