Fishing Regulations

12 Pages·2002·1.3 MB·English

29.9:Y 3/2002
I
The Reason
for Fishing Regulations
Protect Populations • Provide Recreation
Yellowstone National Park is managed to protect cultural and natural
resources and outstanding scenery, and to provide forvisitor use. The
objectives ofthe fishing program are to:
1. Manage aquatic resources as an important part of the park ecosystem.
2. Preserve and restore native fishes and their habitats.
3. Provide recreational fishing opportunities forthe enjoyment of park
visitors, consistentwith the firsttwo objectives.
The Three Types of Regulations
1. GENERAL (page 4) Familiarize yourselfwith these general regulations,
which include information on permits, tackle & bait restrictions, and limits.
2. AREA SPECIFIC (page 5) Once you know where you will be fishing, check
these regulations that address specific needs forthe different watersheds.
3. SPECIES SPECIFIC (pages 9-11) These regulations are specific to each species
in the park, and include basic field identification tips.
Attention Anglers
Yellowstonefisheries arethreatened bytwo potentiallydamaging
exoticorganisms. Whirling disease has been implicated in thedecline
ofwild trout in the Madison Riverin Montana and has been found in
the park.The NewZealand mud snail, which occurs in the park's
majordrainages, may harm aquatic insectcommunities. Help prevent
furtherspread ofthese invaders bythoroughlycleaning mud, plants,
and debrisfromyourfishing equipment, and inspecting footwear
before leaving yourangling site. Drain livewells and clean fish ONLY
nearthesame bodyofwater in which theywere caught. Report
sightings ofthetiny(lessthan 1/4 inch) blacksnailsto a park ranger.
Help preserve Yellowstone for the future.
The Ecology of Fishing
In Yellowstone
• 12 nativespecies including 3 sportfish: cutthroattrout(3 races),
Arcticgrayling, & mountain whitefish
• 5 non-nativespecies+ 1 hybrid: brooktrout, brown trout, lake
trout, rainbowtrout, lake chub, cutthroat/rainbowtrout hybrid
• Morethan 220 lakescompriseapproximately 107,000surface
acres in Yellowstone—94 percentofwhich can be attributed to
Yellowstone, Shoshone, Lewis, and Heart lakes
• 1,000streams make up morethan 2,650 milesof running water
• Cutthroattroutare a primaryfood for bald eagles, osprey,
pelicans, otters, and grizzly bears
Yellowstone,bald eagles, ospreys, accordingto species. Somewaters are
Inpelicans,otters,grizzlybears,and closedto fishingto protectthreatened
otherwildlife take precedence over and endangered species,sensitive nesting
humansinutilizingfish as food. Fishing birds, andto provide scenicviewing
management and regulations reflectthis areas forvisitorsseekingundisturbed
priorityandthat ofmaintainingfish wildlife.
populationsthathave sufficient number
Yellowstone National Parkhas
ofspawningadultsto maintain natural implemented a fishingprogramusing
reproduction andgenetic diversity. non-toxic tackle. Nationwide,morethan
FishinginYellowstone National Park also three millionwaterfowl die eachyear
emphasizesthe qualityofrecreational from lead poisoningthroughingestion.
fishingratherthan providingfish for Because leadfromfishingtackle concen-
humanconsumption.Anglers, in return, tratesin aquatic environments,tackle
havethe opportunityto fishforwild fish such as leaded splitshot sinkers,
inanatural setting. weighted jigs,and soft-weighted ribbon
areprohibited. Onlynon-toxic alterna-
Because ofthe increasingnumberof tivesto lead are allowed.
anglers inthe park,more restrictive
regulationshave
been adoptedin
Yellowstone.These
restrictionsinclude
season openingand
closingdates,
restrictiveuse ofbait
catch-and-release
onlyareas,and
number/size limits
1
REPORT VIOLATORS
307-344-7381
OR CONTACT THE NEAREST RANGER
General Regulations
Fishing Season d.Fliesmayhaveonlyonehookwithasingle
point.Uptotwofliesmaybeusedona
Openeachdayfrom5amto10pm,beginning singleleader.
onthelastSaturdayofMaythroughand e. Leadedfishingtacklesuchasleadedsplit-
includingthefirstSundayinNovember. shotsinkers,weightedjigs (leadmoldedto
ExceptionsarenotedinArea-Specific ahook),andsoftlead-weightedribbonfor
Regulationsonthefacingpage. nymphfishingarenotallowed.
Fishing Permits
Size & Possession Limits
a.Anglers 12yearsofageoroldermustbein
possessionofavalidYellowstoneNational Sizeandpossessionlimitsvarybyspecies
Parkfishingpermittofishinthepark.A andarea.Themaximumnumberoffishan
fishingpermitisvalidonlyifsignedbythe anglercankeepisfivefishperday;atleast
permittee.Apermitfeeischargedfor threemustbebrooktrout.Exceptionsare
anyone 16yearsofageorolder. Children 11 laketroutfromYellowstoneorHeartLake,
yearsofageoryoungermayfishwithouta orbrooktroutfromPocketLake.Anangler
permitwhensupervisedbyanadult.The mustceasefishingimmediatelyafterfilling
adultisresponsibleforthechild'sactions. thepossessionlimitexceptonYellowstone
b.ParkRangersmaycheckpermits,inspect Lake (seeArea-SpecificRegulations, ie).
Possessionlimitsincludeallfish—fresh,
tackle,fish,creels,and/orothercontainers
stored,orpreserved.
wherefishortacklemaybestored.
Fishthatdonotmeetthespecifiedsize
restrictionsmustbereturnedcarefullyand
Tackle & Bait Restrictions immediatelytothewatersfromwhichthey
weretaken.Unintentionallykilledfish
a. Eachanglermayuseonlyonerodorline shouldalsobereturnedtothewaterso
thatmustbeattendedatalltimes. thattheycanbeconsumedbywildlife. Itis
b.Onlyartificialluresandfliesmaybeused. theresponsibilityoftheanglertobeableto
(Oneexception:SeeArea-Specific measurefishlengthsandtoidentifyfishby
Regulations,4e,onthefacingpage.) No species.
naturalororganicbaitsuchassalmon
eggs,worms,insects,orfoodstuffsis General Closures
allowed.Scentedattractantsareillegal.
c. Luresmayhaveonlyonehookwitha Nofishingfromanyroadbridgeorboat
dock.
single,double,ortrebleconfiguration. No
fishsnaggingisallowed.
Permits Required for Boats & Float Tubes
Alltypes ofvesselsrequirea boatpermit. Obtainpermitsinperson atthe following
locations: South Entrance, LewisLake Campground, Grant Village BackcountryOffice,
Bridge BayMarina, andLake RangerStation. Floattubesare classifiedas vessels.
Theyarenotallowedon anyriverorstream in Yellowstone exceptthe Lewis
Riverbetween LewisandShoshoneLakes. Non-motorizedpermitsonlymaybe
obtainedatMammoth, Canyon, orOldFaithfulbackcountryoffices, Northeastor
Westentrances, andtheBechlerRangerStation. Feesare chargedforallboatpermits.
.
Area-Specific Regulations
im
.WlV.]ilJEWJ:lffl!TTIEHfgl
Gibbon River belowGibbon Falls
a. FishingseasoninYellowstoneLakeopens
June 15. a. Theserivers (notincludingthetributaries) are
b.StreamsflowingintoYellowstoneLake (its restrictedtofly-fishingonly(useonlyartificial
tributaries) andareaswithin 100yardsof fliesregardlessofthetypeofrodorline).
streams'outletsopenJuly15. b.Anglersmaykeeptwobrowntroutunder13"in
c. ClearandCubcreeksopenAugust11 dueto theseriversandtheFirehole'stributaries.
bearactivity. c. Catchandreleaseonlyforrainbowtroutand
d.Areaspermanentlyclosedtofishing: nativespeciesontheseriversandtheFirehole's
i. PelicanCreekfromitsoutlettoapointtwo tributaries.
milesupstream (toprotectwildlife). d.Closure:TheFireholeRiverfromtheroad
ii. TheshorelineofYellowstoneLakefrom bridgeone-halfmileupstreamofOldFaithful
WestThumbGeyserBasintoLittleThumb totheroadbridgeatBiscuitBasin (twoand
Creek (toprotectfragilethermalresources). one-halfmilesdownstreamofOldFaithful).
iii.BridgeBayMarina/Harbor&GrantVillage
Marina/Harborandtheirconnecting Other Areas
channelsintoYellowstoneLake.
e.Alllaketroutcaughtin YellowstoneLake,its a. Closure:TheYellowstoneRiver,from
tributariesandthe YellowstoneRivermust ChittendenBridgedownstreamthroughthe
bekilled.Ifyoudonotwanttokeepthefish, GrandCanyonoftheYellowstonetoapoint
puncturetheairbladder(seedrawingpage directlybelowSilverCordCascade.
11)anddropitintowaterasdeepaspossible. b.AgateandCottonwoodcreeks,andportionsof
AMUJ.UJ theYellowstoneRiverwithin 100yardsofthese
between Chittenden Bridge (near creeks,opentofishingJuly15.
Canyon) and Yellowstone Lake c. Trout,Shrimp,andBucklakes,andconnecting
waters,opentofishingJune 15.Thestreamthat
a. FishingseasonopensJuly15. drainsintoTroutLakeopenstofishing
b.Thisareaiscatchandreleaseonly. July15 (dependingonspawningactivity).
c. Areaspermanentlyclosedtofishinginclude: d. BechlerRiver:catchandreleaseonlyfor
i. FishingBridgeandanareaonemiledown- rainbowtroutandnativespecies.
stream (towardCanyon) andone-quarter
e. GardnerRiver,Obsidian,Indian,andPanther
mileupstream (towardYellowstoneLake)
fromthebridge. creeks,andJoffeLake:Children 11yearsofage
ii. TheYellowstoneRiveranditstributaries oryoungermayfishwithwormsasbait.
throughHaydenValley:fromtheconfluence f SylvanandEleanorlakesopentofishing
ofAlumCreekupstream (toward July15.Boatsandfloattubesareprohibited.
YellowstoneLake) toSulphurCaldron. g.TheLewisRiverbelowLewisFalls: catchand
iii.TheYellowstoneRiverfor100yardsup-and releaseonlyforbrowntroutandnativespecies.
downstreamofLeHardysRapids. h.HeartLakeopenstofishingJuly1 duetobear
iv.TheentirewestchanneloftheYellowstone activity.Nosizeorpossessionlimitonlake
RiverneartheroadatNezPerceFord. troutcaughtinHeartLake.
i. Richard'sPond,FawnLake,andBlacktail
Pond:dailylimitisfivebrooktroutunder13".
j. PocketLake:allbrooktroutmustbekeptand
notreleased.
Species-specific regulations k. Allwatersintheparknotmentionedonthis
listedon pages 9-11 pageareregulatedbythegeneralfishing
regulationsandthespeciesregulations.
Regulations by
Drainage Zones
Mad, SualphurCaldron
BN Mud —j\LeHardysRapids
BK
RT
BN Lake
BK ViCllla>ge^ Fishing TurbidL
{ BridgeBay Bridge
BN 1
Closedtofishing Litt/ePinoleRJ YELLOWSTONE +^(^^
BiscuitBasinT^OIdFaithful LAKE
OpenstofishingJuly15
Flyfishingonly
Inches
Yellowslon, lakeS, tributaries lakenutlet near Fishing Bridge CutthroatsS. I aketrout(CT.LT) YellowstoneLakeopensJune15
Catch81releasennlvcutthroat
Killall laketrout
SylvanandEleanorlakesopenJob 1, boatsand lloat inlv prohibited
Yellowstone Laketributariesopen |uly 15
( li-arjndl lib..reeksopen August 11
Closedtofishing:Grantand BridgeBat marinas;WestThumb (,.wi
Basin,inoulli ol 1'elican I reek Itwo miles] .Insed,road bridgesearboat
YellowstoneRiverfrom FishingBridgeclosuretoChittenden Bridge
\(in- Onesnoti'nc:l'ude opensJuly 15
CascadeLakemiavadc CatchStreleaseonly,allspecies
FishingBridge,LcHardv Rapids ho.,yardsupand downstream).Nc,
Creek.
PerceFord,HaydenValley,GrandCanyonareclosedtofishing
Imludesl ache,(allcc.Slough. CutthroatTrout. Mountain \\hilctish. Ae.au ,\ 1 i.ttonwoodcreeksopenJuly is;
Agale,Tower,Cottonwood,and RainbowTrout (CT.MW.RTl;Brown I'.kkkl.n ponds keep ll'.s brook ll.illl unde
Blatktail Deercreeks TroutIBM below Knowles kails Catch8ireleaseall nativespecies
Gardner RiverS:Tributaries likludes(ihsulian. Indian,and Cutthroat Iruul. Mni.iin.ini \\liil. list. I hildren 11 Mars1.1 reel mai fish withwormsasbail in this
I'.inlhel I reeks. |.illee, I .mil. Brown. Ilrook.and Rainbowtrout (C Catch&releaseallnativespecies
and Sportsman lakes VOTE. \l\\ l!\ Ilk RTl belowOsprevFalls: lawn Iake.keep live brook Iruul under ii
Ones norincludefinal Creek.
likludeslan Speeimen,Gneiss. Kubards Pond,keepfivebrooktroutunder11
Rainbow,
iM\U_l_
\h,n il I.ills, liuludes ( akh sS releaseall nativespecies
Glebe s\ U..I1 lakes:! ascade
I ake an.l I assadcCreek
Madison, Iiiwvrt.ihhuii. I irvhott Brown,Brook,and Rami
H
-l -i Shoshone.I.v.is H..in. IVkcl I .ikes HeartUkeopenJul. 1 due1..bearactivity
mdSnaki
I .-.'is Rjrei 0.1...... 1 .111, 1alls.CatchS:releaseonlyforbrowntrout
on
Heart lake \..si,s ,„ pussr j.m linur lor laketrout
PocketLake:Keepallbrooktrout
13
Regulations
Species
and Descriptions
TTsihphVieehscisfmeipsasehpcaPiennisgds wmpdiraotoephvsiiondnneotdthtehaiesmbpoarluenyvneadariasdrleeitgesoasiladoenbfgailsnYiedesrilscloafortiwesssshptikeoncngnieef|soNradtipsiatorrntiiabcluutlPiaaornr.k
It is the angler's responsibility to be able to
distinguish one fish species from another.
NATIVES
Trout—CT
Cutthroat
1(,,v
Parkwide: CATCH & RELEASE ONLY |
&
Parkwide; Two fish any size
EXCEPT
Madison River, Firehole River and its tributaries, and
1 the Gibbon River BELOW Gibbon Falls: CATCH AND
RELEASE ONLY
2 Bechler River: CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY
Grayling—GY
Parkwide: CATCH & RELEASE ONLY
Brown Trout—BN
Parkwide: Two fish any size
EXCEPT
1 tMhaediGsiobnboRniveRri,veFrirBeEhoLlOeWRiGveirbbaonndFiatlslst:riTbuWtaOrieFsI,SHam
UNDER 13
2. Lewis River proper below Lewis Falls: CATCH AND
RELEASE ONLY
ensure that a released fish has the best chance for survival:
>
i Pla\ fishas rapidlyaspossible;do not playtutotal c
2. Keepfishinwaterasmuch as possible when handImi;and removinghook.
3. Removehookgently—donotsquee/efishorput fingersingills.Theuseofbarbless hooks
isencouragedtomake releaseeasier.
4. Ifdeeplyhooked,cutline—donotpullouthook. Most lish survivewith hooks left in them.
5. Releasefish only after itsequilibrium is in.untamed II nccesvirv w 1111\ hold fish upright,
facingupstream.
h Release lish in quietwater, dose to [he areawhere itwashooked.
NON-NATIVES
Brook Trout—BT worm-likemarkinqs lightspots,darkbackground
^
redspots "^^
dark&lightedgeonfins
Parkwide: Five fish any size
EXCEPT
1. Richard's Pond, Fawn Lake, Blacktail Pond: FIVE FISH
ALL UNDER 13"
2.All brook trout caught in Pocket Lake must be KEPT
AND NOT RELEASED. There is no daily limit.
Lake Trout—LT worm-likemarkings forkedtail
Parkwide: Two fish any size
EXCEPT
I.Yellowstone Lake, itstributaries, and the
Yellowstone River: All lake trout caught must be
Nboene-nnadtiisvceovlearkeedtirnouthave killed. If you do not wantto keep the fish, puncture
YellowstoneLake. They the air bladder and drop it into water as deep as
poseagreatthreatto the possible.
futureofthelake'snative 2. Heart Lake: no size or possession limit.
cutthroattrout. ALL lake
troutcaughtin Yellow- air bladder
stoneLake, itstributaries,
andthe YellowstoneRiver
mustbekilled. Ifyoudo
notwanttokeep thefish,
puncturetheairbladder
anddropitinto wateras
deepaspossible.
Catch andrelease
fishingprovides
anglerswithexcellent
sportfishingwhile
protectingnativefish
speciesfrom
overharvest.
removethe hookwithin calmwater,then
lightlycradlethe fishwithyourhandsto
seewhatitdoes. Ifitstrugglesto keep
itselfupright, holdthefisharound itstail
andbeneathitsbellywhilepointingit
againstthe current. Movethefishgently
backandforthtowardsand awayfrom
the current. You shouldnoticethegills
openingand closingduetotherush of
water.Thisislikegivingafishmouthto
mouthresuscitation. Whenthefishhas
recovereditshouldswimawayonits
own.
• Bringthe fishinasquicklyaspossible. • HWiotohkssmaanldlplluireersstyyopiucaclalnyphianvcehbadrobws.nthe
Donotplaythefishto exhaustion.
barbs. Withoutbarbsmore skill is
• Unhookthefishin quietwatersuchasan required inlandingandbringinginfish
eddyorslowspot.Do notdragthefish but hookremoval iseasierandless
acrossland. traumatictothefish and perhaps
• Ifyou musthandlethefish,alwaysmake yourself.
sureyourhandsarewet (fish havea • Spinninglurestypicallyhavethreehooks
protective mucousfilm sensitiveto dry calledtreble hooks. Withwire cuttersyou
human hands). cansnip offone ofthehooks orsnap one
•Thebestwayto holdafish (withwet offwithsomepliers.Two hooksarestill
hands) isonehand aroundthetail veryeffective and,onceagain,easierto
section andthe otherbeneaththebelly removeand lesstraumatic.
justbehindthepectoral fins.Never, ever • When fillingouttheVoluntaryAngler
grab orhold afishthroughthegills Report,youcanuseyourrodto quickly
unlessit isalreadydead. estimatethe lengthofyourfish.Just
• Ifyouwantaphoto ofthe fish,makesure measure and mark (withtape ornail
the photographerisreadybeforeyou polish) various lengthsonyourrod.
handle thefish. Make it quick. Remember,the lesstimethefishis
• Neverjustthrowafish back into the handled outofthewaterthebetter
water. Ifafish becomespassive,itis chance it hasofrecovering.
probablycloseto exhaustion. Gently