All spots

Yellowstone Lake

Lake fishing  Wyoming · 07:03 - 17:07

Yellowstone Lake is a lake in Wyoming. Most people come here for Walleye, Striped Bass and Northern Pike.

Prime 85% The bite right now
Top bet: Walleye Active through the night, water near its preferred 9 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
83%
43°
Best day
Fri
77%
40°
Sat
71%
42°
Sun
76%
46°
Mon
77%
44°
Tue
77%
44°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Fog
Water temp (est.)
48°F
Air temp
36°F
Wind
3 mph
Pressure
30.0 inHg → stable
Clouds
100.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 06:18–08:18 Dusk 15:52–17:52

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waning crescent 30% lit
Major period 07:30–09:30 Major period 19:30–21:30 Minor period 01:23–02:53 Minor period 14:06–15:36

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

02:00
36°
03:00
36°
04:00
36°
05:00
36°
06:00
36°
07:00
35°
08:00
36°
09:00
36°
10:00
38°
11:00
41°
12:00
44°
13:00
46°

Likely catch now (16 species)

Walleye
Sander vitreus
85%
Active through the night, water near its preferred 9 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
38%
Slow during the night, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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Northern Pike
Esox lucius
29%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 9 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
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Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
28%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 9 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
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Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush
25%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 9 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
18%
Slow during the night, overcast lifts the bite.
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About the fishing here

Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake in North America, sitting inside Yellowstone National Park at nearly 8,000 feet. It was historically one of the best native cutthroat trout fisheries anywhere, though invasive lake trout have hurt those numbers since they turned up in the lake in the 1990s. Park rules here are strict, all lake trout caught must be killed and cutthroat handled carefully, so check current regulations before you go. The water stays cold even in summer, and afternoon storms roll in fast at this elevation.

Anglers here regularly land Walleye, Striped Bass, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout and Muskellunge.

Walleye is generally most active around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a soft-plastic jig for walleye, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for walleye at night. Fish hard now.
Depth The water is colder than the fish like. Fish deep and slow. Look towards deeper water.
Colour Low light: try chartreuse, orange or firetiger for walleye.
Lure Soft-plastic jig for walleye: Jig with worm or plastic.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

About this water

Yellowstone Lake is the largest body of water in Wyoming and the largest in Yellowstone National Park. The lake is 7,732 feet (2,357 m) above sea level and covers 136 square miles (350 km2) with 110 miles (180 km) of shoreline. While the average depth of the lake is 139 ft (42 m), its greatest depth is at least 394 ft (120 m). Yellowstone Lake is the largest freshwater lake above 7,000 ft (2,100 m) in North America.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Yellowstone Lake?

Anglers here regularly land Walleye, Striped Bass, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Muskellunge, Brook Trout and Brown Trout.

Do you need a fishing license at Yellowstone Lake?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Yellowstone Lake?

Walleye fishing is usually best around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

What is biting at Yellowstone Lake right now?

Right now Walleye is the most likely catch, at about 84%.