Trout Fishing in East Yellowstone

Trout Fishing in the East Yellowstone area is known for it's large cutthroats, rainbows, and brook trout. There are many streams that feed into the North Fork of the Shoshone... many of these streams are on properties of our guest ranches and are open to fly fishing, bait fishing & spin fishing. We even have one guest ranch that has a private catch and release pond with stocked rainbows and cutthroats exceeding 22 inches.

The main body of water that is fished in East Yellowstone is the North Fork of the Shoshone. Some of the lodges offer private licensed guides (folks that actually live here) but all of the lodges can arrange for guides to take you to the hot-spots.

Some of our guest ranches offer pack trips back into some classic seldom fished waters. You can get with the owners and custom fit your trip...

General information about the Shoshone River

Species Present

• Rainbow trout
• Mountain whitefish
• Brook trout
• Yellowstone cutthroat
• Brown trout
• Rainbow-cutthroat hybrids
• Some lake trout on the lower reaches of the river

Season
Spring fishing closure from Buffalo Bill Reservoir up to and including Newton Creek from April 1 to July 1 to protect spawning runs of rainbow trout and Yellowstone cutthroat. Ice out usually occurs before the spring closure and high water runoff has usually passed by the time the lower section of the river reopens to fishing. The river is open year around above Newton Creek (approximately 14 from the Yellowstone's East Gate).

Access
The North Fork of the Shoshone River is located in northwest Wyoming and is a heavy corridor for people visiting Yellowstone Park via the east entrance. The North Fork and East Entrance to Yellowstone is accessed by driving the river corridor on State Highway 14-16-20 (Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway) west out of Cody. The lower reaches of this river are primarily private though there are 3 public fishing areas maintained and well signed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.  The upper reaches are all located on the Shoshone National Forest lands and are easily accessible via automobile. The headwaters of the North Fork and most of it's tributaries are accessible by foot or horseback only. State Highway 14-16-20 is winter maintained and open for vehicular traffic year round.

Comments
This stretch of the river was once described by Teddy Roosevelt as 50  miles of the most scenic land in America. The fisheries on this river are greatly enhanced by spawning runs of rainbow trout and Yellowstone cutthroat out of Buffalo Bill Reservoir.  This river is managed as a wild fishery with all reproduction occurring naturally. Fishermen fishing this river would be well advised to be on the lookout for grizzly bears especially in spring and early summer. Creel limit is 3 fish per day with only 1 fish exceeding 20 inches. Buffalo Bill Reservoir also provides good fishing with a creel limit of 4 fish per day and only 1 fish over 20 inches. The north fork arm of Buffalo Bill also has a seasonal fishing closure from April 1 to July 14 (Please read the regulations before fishing!)