Changes to fishing regs in Yellowstone Park
May 8, 2006
New fishing regulations take effect this year that affect anglers in Yellowstone National Park. The new regulations are designed to enhance protection of native species while protecting the park’s world-class angling opportunities.
For the first time, fishermen will be required to use barbless hooks when fishing in Yellowstone waters. This change is designed to reduce injury to all fish species.
There will be just two different fish management areas to simplify size and possession limits of native and non-native fish.
In the Native Trout Conservation Area, anglers must catch and release all native species, but can keep up to five non-native fish of any size per day. All lake trout in Yellowstone Lake must be killed. There is no possession limit on lake trout caught in Heart Lake.
In the Wild Trout Enhancement Area, anglers will again be required to catch and release all native species. Within this area, brown and rainbow trout are also fully protected by catch and release regulations. Anglers may keep up to 5 brook or lake trout per day in this area. There are some exceptions to these rules in Lewis and Shoshone Lakes and associated streams above the Lewis River and Lewis Falls areas.
This year the season opens on Saturday, May 27, and runs through Sunday, November 5. Fishing permits are available at all ranger stations, visitor centers and Yellowstone General Stores. Permits for those 16 and older are $15 for 3 days, $20 for 7 days, and $35 for an annual permit. Younger anglers must fish with an adult who holds a valid permit or obtain a free fishing permit. The fees generated from fishing permits stay in the park and go toward fisheries protection and management.
Additional information about fishing is available on the Yellowstone National Park web site at http://www.nps.gov/yell/planvisit/todo/fishing/index.htm
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