Yellowstone National Park rivers and streams closed to fishing daily from 2 p.m. to sunrise the following day beginning June 19 due to warm water temperatures and low river flows.

Water temperatures in select rivers and streams have exceeded 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) in recent days, and flows are low. These conditions are lethal to trout, and the closure will protect the park’s native and wild trout fisheries and will remain in effect until conditions improve. Cooler temperatures are expected this weekend. Staff will continue to monitor the water temperatures. The closure may be lifted if water temperatures adequately cool.

The Madison River and all associated tributaries, the Firehole River and all associated tributaries and the Gibbon River and all associated tributaries downstream of Norris Campground will all be closed daily from 2 p.m. to sunrise the following day.

Yellowstone Lake, other lakes and all other rivers and streams not listed as closed will remain open to fishing from sunrise to sunset as specified in the 2025 Fishing Regulations booklet.

“Your cooperation will protect the park’s fisheries,” according to the park’s communication department in a press release Thursday.

Anglers are asked to fish during the coolest times of day and land fish quickly. Do not play hooked trout to exhaustion. Gently handle fish in the water as much as possible and let them recover before release. In 2024, closures due to heat didn’t happen in Yellowstone National Park until July 15, almost a month later than this year.