Yellowstone National Park will see several of its most popular fishing rivers closed this summer as a response to extreme water temperatures.
National Park Service officials announced that the Madison, Firehole and Gibbon rivers will remain closed to fishing until further notice, with the restrictions in effect 24 hours a day.
All three rivers lie on the park’s western and northwestern sides, and the Firehole River passes through the Old Faithful area, a hub of visitor activity.
Water temperatures have spiked to between 80 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit during daylight hours, a range that can be lethal to trout. Coupled with high ambient temperatures, the conditions have resulted in fish deaths along the Firehole River.
No heat‑related fishing restrictions are currently in place on other lakes, rivers or streams within the park.
The closures aim to protect native and wild trout populations and will remain until water temperatures fall to safer levels.
Trout are ectotherms, meaning their body temperature matches that of the water. Elevated temperatures reduce dissolved oxygen, making it difficult for trout to survive and recover after release.
Experts advise anglers to adjust to these closures by minimizing handling time and avoiding air exposure to improve fish survival rates.
Similar temperature‑related closures are affecting muskellunge in the Midwest and Atlantic salmon in the Northeast, indicating a broader trend.
A board member of a nonprofit that promotes science‑based catch‑and‑release practices supports the use of closures in national parks to safeguard sensitive resources.
Yellowstone’s fishing regulations are designed to maintain native fish abundance, preserve genetic integrity, uphold the park’s ecological health, and provide a sustainable recreational fishery for visitors.
