Yellowstone River
Yellowstone National Park · Buffalo Ford to Gardiner
NW Wyoming, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Cutthroat.
Stream gauge: 06188000. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 10/02/26
At 149 cfs and 51.3°F, the Yellowstone through Buffalo Ford to Gardiner is running low and clear — classic late-season conditions. Here's the twist: a warm, sunny stretch ahead is pushing this week closer to late summer than early fall. Water temp sits right at the caddis emergence threshold (~50°F), but the bluebird afternoons and highs in the mid-60s suggest terrestrials may outperform Baetis — at least until conditions cool. Big Sky Anglers is recommending hoppers and ants to capitalize on this warm window, and that call makes sense. Any BWO activity that does develop will be midday-driven, not morning, waiting on air temps to climb. Fish the calm middle of the day for dry fly action; if you want to cover water, a streamer or Pheasant Tail dropper stays productive around the deeper runs near Gardiner.
- Flow: 149 cfs — low and clear. Prime sight-fishing conditions for cutthroat. Wade carefully; fish are spooky and leaders need to be long and fine.
- Hatches: At 51.3°F, right at caddis threshold. Any BWO activity will be midday 11am–2pm. Terrestrials (hoppers, ants) may actually outperform bugs given the warm sunny forecast.
- Water Temp: 51.3°F — just crossing the caddis trigger. Expect Baetis to hold off until midday warmth. Mornings cold (lows near 32°F), so fish will be slow to rise early.
- Best Window: 10am–3pm while air temps peak and any hatch activity develops. Wind picks up to 14–16mph on Oct 2 and 5 — the calmer mid-week days will be easier for dry fly presentations.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Freestone
- Best months: July–Sept; peak Aug (cutthroat, PMDs, hoppers)
The Yellowstone River inside the park is the beating heart of cutthroat trout conservation in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. From Yellowstone Lake through Hayden Valley, over the Upper and Lower Falls, and down the Black Canyon to Gardiner, the river passes through some of the most dramatic landscapes in North America. Buffalo Ford offers sight fishing to large native Yellowstone cutthroat in clear shallow water.
Buffalo Ford — the legendary wade-fishing flat below Fishing Bridge — offers sight fishing to large native Yellowstone cutthroat in clear, shallow water against a backdrop of bison and geysers.
January Outlook
River closed for winter. Yellowstone National Park roads are closed to wheeled vehicles. No fishing access.
Tips
Plan your summer trip. Park fishing permits can be purchased at any visitor center once the park opens.
Water Notes
River frozen or near-frozen. Park closed.
February Outlook
River closed. Park roads remain closed. No fishing access to the Yellowstone inside the park.
Tips
Early planning season. Check NPS opening dates — bear management closures affect many sections through mid-July.
Water Notes
River ice-covered. Park winter season.
March Outlook
Park still in winter operations. No fishing access to most of the Yellowstone inside the park.
Tips
Park typically begins plowing roads in March. Fishing opens on different dates for different sections — check NPS regulations.
Water Notes
Snow and ice persist. High-elevation runoff not yet started.
April Outlook
Park roads beginning to open but most river sections still under bear management closures or seasonal closures. Very limited fishing opportunity.
Tips
Check NPS opening dates. Some sections near Gardiner may be accessible but most of the river remains closed. Focus on rivers outside the park for April fishing.
Water Notes
Snowmelt beginning. River rising and cold.
May Outlook
Park opens but bear management closures persist on most Yellowstone River sections. Fishing Bridge and Buffalo Ford areas closed. Limited access near the Gardiner entrance.
Productive Patterns
- Pat's Rubber Legs #8
- BWO Parachute #18
- Pheasant Tail #16
Tips
Only sections near the north entrance may be fishable. Check current NPS closure status before planning. Water is high and cold from snowmelt.
Water Notes
Full spring runoff. River high, cold, and turbid in most sections.
June Outlook
Bear closures continue on most sections. Black Canyon below Tower may be open — check NPS. Water high and cold from snowmelt. Limited but improving fishing opportunity.
Productive Patterns
- BWO Parachute #18
- Elk Hair Caddis #16
- Pat's Rubber Legs #8
- Prince Nymph #14
Tips
The Black Canyon between Tower Junction and Gardiner may be open and fishable before other sections. Nymphing is most productive while water remains high. Check NPS closure status daily.
Water Notes
Peak runoff typically late June. River dropping and clearing toward month's end.
July Outlook
Season opener. Buffalo Ford and Hayden Valley sections typically open mid-July after bear closures lift. Cutthroat are eager and aggressive. BWO and caddis hatches active. This is the start of prime time.
Productive Patterns
- BWO Sparkle Dun #18
- Elk Hair Caddis #16
- PMD Comparadun #16
- Prince Nymph #14
Tips
Check NPS for exact opening dates — they vary by year. Cutthroat at Buffalo Ford are aggressive on opening day. Fish the meadow sections for rising fish. Barbless hooks and catch-and-release mandatory throughout the park.
Water Notes
Flows dropping to fishable levels. Water temps climbing into ideal range (50–60°F).
August Outlook
Peak month on the Yellowstone inside the park. Buffalo Ford sight fishing at its best — PMD mornings, caddis evenings. Hoppers along grassy meadow banks. Cutthroat feeding actively throughout the day.
Productive Patterns
- PMD Sparkle Dun #16
- Dave's Hopper #10
- Elk Hair Caddis #16
- Chubby Chernobyl #10
Tips
Buffalo Ford is the premier spot — wade carefully on the shallow flats and sight-fish to rising cutthroat. Black Canyon below Tower produces excellent dry fly fishing for hikers willing to earn it. Evening caddis in the National Park Meadows.
Water Notes
Ideal flows and temps. Water 55–62°F. Clear and fishable throughout.
September Outlook
Prime time continues with cooler air temps and thinning crowds. Fall BWOs start on overcast days. Cutthroat in peak condition before spawning. Hayden Valley can be magical on grey afternoons.
Productive Patterns
- BWO Sparkle Dun #18
- Elk Hair Caddis #16
- Parachute Adams #16
- Pheasant Tail #16
Tips
September is arguably the finest month on the park Yellowstone — fish are in peak condition, crowds thin dramatically after Labor Day, and fall Baetis hatches provide excellent dry fly fishing. Hayden Valley on an overcast afternoon is a transcendent experience.
Water Notes
Flows stable and low. Water temps cooling (52–58°F). Crystal clear.
October Outlook
Late season. Brown trout from the lake running into the river below the falls. Cutthroat still active but water temps dropping. Park closes some roads after Columbus Day weekend.
Productive Patterns
- BWO Parachute #18
- Woolly Bugger #6
- Pheasant Tail #16
- Streamers
Tips
Check road closures — the park begins shutting down for winter in October. Last few days before closure can be outstanding with zero pressure. Brown trout from Yellowstone Lake may be encountered below the falls.
Water Notes
Water cooling rapidly (45–52°F). Flows low and clear.
November Outlook
Season ends early November when park roads close for winter. The last few fishing days can be outstanding for hardy anglers willing to brave the cold.
Productive Patterns
- BWO Parachute #18
- Zebra Midge #22
- Pheasant Tail #16
Tips
Only the first few days of November are typically fishable before road closures. Check NPS for exact closing dates. Dress for winter conditions — it snows in Yellowstone in November.
Water Notes
Near-freezing water temps. Park closing for winter.
December Outlook
Park closed for winter. No fishing access to the Yellowstone River inside the park.
Tips
Winter season. Plan for next year's park fishing.
Water Notes
River frozen or near-frozen. Park roads closed.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salmonfly Pteronarcys californica |
Jul | Jul | #4–6 |
|
| Pale Morning Dun Ephemerella inermis / infrequens |
Jul, Aug | Jul, Aug | #16–18 |
|
| Yellow Sally Isoperla spp. |
Jul | Jul, Aug | #14–16 |
|
| Caddis Hydropsyche spp. / Brachycentrus spp. |
Jul, Aug | Jul, Aug, Sep | #14–16 |
|
| Hoppers Acrididae / Tettigoniidae |
Aug | Jul, Aug, Sep | #8–12 |
|
Access & Approach
Park fishing permit required (no state license needed inside YNP). Strict catch-and-release, barbless hooks only. Bear management closures affect many sections through mid-July. Check NPS regulations.
Nearby Fly Shops
- Big Sky Anglers
- Parks' Fly Shop
- Blue Ribbon Flies
- Madison River Outfitters
- Big Sky Anglers
Regulations & License
Fishing in Wyoming requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Wyoming fishing regulations & license →
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About Current
Yellowstone River conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
Yellowstone River is one of 245 hand-curated waters in Current. The app and web forecast also generate AI outlooks for any unlisted river, lake, or saltwater flat anywhere in the world — drop a pin or paste a name and Current produces a fresh seasonal outlook with weather, flow context, and recommended techniques.
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