Fish in Yellowstone's Southwest

Yellowstone map with southwest highlighted

Includes the Snake and Lewis rivers and tributaries; Heart Lake; Lewis and Shoshone lakes; Falls and Bechler rivers and tributaries.

Heart Lake opens July 1.

Possession Limits

Native Trout Conservation Area

  • Catch and release all native fish.
  • No possession limit on nonnative fish.

Nonnative Trout Tolerance Area

  • Waters above Lewis Falls, including Lewis and Shoshone lakes and the Lewis Channel—possession limit of five nonnative fish in combination, only one of which can be a brown trout.
  • Do not discard lake trout carcasses along the lake shore as they will likely attract bears.
 
 
Map of fishing locations in Yellowstone's Southwest
 
Angler fishing in a river with a mountain in the background.
Gone Fishing

If you're planning on casting a rod here, help us protect our native species by following all park fishing regulations.

An angler standing in a winding stream and fly-fishing.
Fishing Regulations (PDF)

Download the Yellowstone Fishing Regulations booklet.

An underwater view of a spotted fish with a red slash on its neck and side swims above pebbles
Native Fish Species

Native fish underpin natural food webs and have great local economic significance.

A biologist holds a net full of Yellowstone cutthroat trout
Fish Management

Learn how the Native Fish Conservation Program works to preserve Yellowstone Lake cutthroat trout and to restore fluvial trout populations.

Zebra mussel infestation
Clean, Drain & Dry

Prevent damaging aquatic invasive species from reaching Yellowstone.

Last updated: April 17, 2025

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168

Phone:

307-344-7381

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