Access to the
Yellowstone River from Yellowstone Lake to Livingston, Montana
See also...
Yellowstone
Lake to Buffalo Ford to Chittenden Bridge
From
the closed section below Fishing Bridge to Sulphur Caldron offers one of the
more productive sections on the river, and one of the more popular in terms of
angling pressure. This seven-mile
stretch lures visiting anglers with broad runs, riffles, deep pools and
rapids. Wading can be difficult
and treacherous in places so good wading boots and a wading staff are highly
recommended. Buffalo Ford may be
the only place to cross the river when the flow drops. No floating is allowed in the
park. The Yellowstone River opens
July 15, and generally good hatches of PMD's, and Green Drakes abound along
with caddis hatches that are in full swing.
Below
Sulpher Caldron to Alum Creek the river is closed to all angling for six
miles. Alum Creek, Trout Creek and
Elk Antler Creek are closed to fishing to protect spawning beds. Preserved in its wild state, this area
draws wildlife observers and photographers. The next area to fish in this section is the two mile
stretch between Chittenden Bridge and Alum Creek. Here the water is mostly flat and wide, although the current
is swift as the water is drawn over Upper Falls. Fewer anglers work this water than the Buffalo stretch.
Upper and Lower Falls through the Grand Canyon
Section
Accessible only by foot or by horseback, the canyon is a challenging section, albeit with potential rewards. Stretching from the Chittenden Bridge to Quartz Creek, anglers beware. The beauty of the canyon walls is awe inspiring, but the wading can be tough. One of the more frustrating challenges in the canyon is to work down to the water, have great fishing for fifty yards only to find that it is too dangerous to move any further upstream or downstream. The trail near Canyon Village is a 1500 vertical feet drop from the canyon rim to the water. When I was a younger man, I put off this trail. Now that I am on the downhill slope towards 70, I know that I shall never take a deep breath and head down this steep trail, but I am not sad because so much great fishing water is easily accessible.
Fishing is closed from Inspiration Point
Overlook to the Chitteden Bridge.
Tower Junction Bridge through the Black Canyon
of the Yellowstone to Gardiner
The Black Canyon from Knowles Falls to the
Rattlesnake Butte section above the town of Gardiner, provides almost twenty
miles of good wilderness fishing and camping. This section may be reached from the Blacktail Trail,
Yellowstone River Trail, the Garnet Hill Trail as well as the access trail at
Tower Junction. The lower section
may also be accessed from the town of Gardiner along the Yellowstone River
Trail.
From Gardiner to Corwin Springs: This section is swift for most of its run with some of the water rated class II and class III. (More information and photographs needed.)
Corwin Springs to Yankee Jim Canyon (Joe Brown exit): Although this stretch flattens out and makes float fishing easier, it is essential that newcomers exit the river at the Joe Brown exit to avoid the treacherous Yankee Jim Canyon, a notorious white-water section.
Carbella
(Tom Miner Bridge) to Emigrant:
This is a long 12-mile stretch so depending on the river's flow, it can
make for a long float. For a
shorter float, anglers may exit at Point of Rocks, a 4.5 mile float trip. The
upper section provides good fishing opportunities. From Point of Rocks downstream the river flattens out
substantially.
Emigrant to Mallard's Rest: Noted for its increased flow and numerous riffles, this is a
popular section, and the float trip ends at a great campground. Floaters may launch at the Emigrant
Bridge, which is steep and narrow, or they may launch at Emigrant West or Grey
Owl. MM
41.4: Mallards Rest Campground: The campground is a fee campground and offers 20
sites on a "Pack it in - Pack it Out" basis. The campground also
offers a boat launch and good access for wade fishermen.
Mallard's Rest to Mill Creek Bridge:
Carter's Bridge
to the Highway 89 Bridge, 9th Street Island or Mayor's Landing (The
town stretch)
From Livingston
to Big Timber, the Yellowstone River offers less prime holding water, fewer
fish and less pressure.
Nonetheless, it does provide good fishing. I would recommend purchasing the Montana Afloat map for this
section, as well as stopping in a local fly shop for current conditions.
Hatches and
Suggested Patterns (Expand summer 2010)
December to
March: Sporadic midge hatches
April - June:
Baetis mayfly, March brown drake
May (run-off
period): March brown drake
June: Salmon
fly nymphs stir and begin their migration to the shore.
July:
Salmonfly, golden stones, yellow sallys, caddis and green drakes
August and
September: Terrestrials
October-November:
Baetis, midges
Highway Access
from Livingston to Gardiner
MM=Mileage
marker signs
MM 60:
Livingston, Montana
MM 51: East
River Road Fishing Access
MM 50: Carter
Bridge: Carter
Bridge has a good boat take-out and is a good spot for wade fishermen.
MM 45: Trail
Creek fishing access
MM 43.3: Pine
Creek: Take
the Pine Creek road 1.4 miles to the bridge fishing access and boat launch.
Note: From Carter Bridge to
just above Point of Rocks, the East River Road parallels the river. The East
River Road has Loch Levin Campground. Loch Levin is 9 miles south of
Livingston. Take the Pine Creek Road and head south again to the campground.
Loch Levin Campground has 30 campsites, water, toilets and a boat launch.
Mill Creek
Cross the
bridge and follow the paved road for six miles and then a dirt road for another
7.4 miles to a private meadow. Although the meadow is on private property, this
section may be accessed later in the summer from the highway about a hundred
yards downstream. Look for a pullout. Follow the fence line to public access to
the water on National Forest land. However, be sure you stay under the high
water mark at all times. The meadow gets fished heavily. Snowbank Campground is
a fee campground with plenty of shade and garbage removal. Above the campground
are some primitive campsites. The water is icy cold above the meadow section
and interspersed with a lot of private property. Late in the summer small
parachute hoppers work best.
East Fork of Mill Creek
Although the
East Fork is small and shallow, small pockets and riffles offer up good catches
of 8- to 10-inch cutthroats. It is a great creek for kids. The access road ends
a mile and a half at a locked gate to a private ranch. The ranch can be
bypassed by trail, but I did not have time to explore it.
West Fork of Mill Creek
The West Fork
road cuts right through a Bible camp and climbs high up into a steep canyon. The
creek is fast moving, but it does hold some nice pools and pockets in the
canyon section. The road ends 5.8 miles at the trailhead. I walked down into
the canyon, but the going is tough due to downed trees from the 1988 fire. The
creek is loaded with 5- to 9-inch cutthroats, but it is also loaded with
mosquitoes.
Dailey Lake
Dailey Lake may be reached from the Mill Creek Road or from Emigrant. From Emigrant to the lake is eight miles. The lake is shaped like a silver dollar, and it is shallow all around the shoreline. Although the lake holds some trout, most of the locals fish for perch and walleye.MM 25.5: Fishing access.
MM 24: Big Creek. Don't judge this creek when you pass over it on the highway. Big Creek fishing access is 5.5 miles from the highway and six miles to the trailhead. The road is bumpy, but the creek is charming and host to 7- to 9-inch cutthroats, which are plentiful.
