Fishing - iFishiBelong

West Yellowstone, famous for fishing, is located near the headwaters of the Madison, Gallatin, and Henry’s Fork of the Snake River.

Fall is a prime time for fly fishing near West Yellowstone, with the Madison River, Henry’s Fork, and surrounding waters offering incredible opportunities. The Madison, known for its strong run of migrating brown trout from Hebgen Lake, sees aggressive fish chasing streamers and large nymphs. Henry’s Fork, especially in sections like the Railroad Ranch, offers technical dry fly fishing with lingering hatches of blue-winged olives and mahogany duns. Cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and stunning autumn colors make this season one of the most rewarding times to fish these legendary waters.

We have three main locations for the weekend, and you’ll find the addresses listed below. Be sure to enter them into your GPS while you still have cell service, as coverage can be spotty in this area.

3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River
- Latitidue/Longitude – 44.83193 -111.51416
- 39 miles south of Ennis or 32 miles northwest of West Yellowstone on Hwy 287. One mile downstream from Raynolds’ Pass Bridge.
Wretched Mess Art and Fly Fishing Festival
- Union Pacific Dining Lodge & Bob Jacklin Casting Pond, 220 Yellowstone Ave, West Yellowstone, MT 59758
Yellowstone Beer Company
- 121 Madison Avenue, West Yellowstone, MT 59758

DIY Fishing

These events require advance preparation and proactive engagement. Please note that our DIY Fishing events are truly do-it-yourself. Each angler is responsible for their own planning and preparation before arrival. While iFishiBelong and our event co-hosts provide helpful resources, links, and key information, it is the registrant’s responsibility to carefully review all emails and thoroughly explore the event website.

The more prepared you are, the better your experience will be. Familiarizing yourself with the area, understanding the logistics, and reviewing all provided materials in advance will help ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and successful event.

Live Q&A Session

Our goal is to equip each participant with knowledge of the area, how to fish it, and suggested fishing locations. Shared through the event webpages and reinforced during the Live Q&A session.

Please mark your calendars for the Live Q&A Session on August 5th, 2026, at 6 pm MT. Register HERE.

Fishing License

Multiple fishing licenses might be required based on where you are fishing. No state fishing license is required in Yellowstone National Park, but you need a Yellowstone Park Fishing Permit. The Madison River is in Montana, and the Henry’s Fork is in Idaho, and there are lots of fishing options in both states. We have provided links for the specific licenses and permits below.

If fishing in Yellowstone National Park, fishing permits are available at all ranger stations, visitor centers, and Yellowstone Park General Stores. Fishing permits are also available at many businesses in West Yellowstone and the Fly Shops.

Current Fishing NEws and Regulations

Late summer fishing conditions can change quickly as water temperatures rise. To help protect fish populations, temporary fishing restrictions or time-of-day closures may be implemented on some rivers and streams.

We encourage all participants to stay informed about current fishing regulations and water restrictions before heading out each day. During the event, iFishiBelong will also share timely updates, closures, and important fishing condition information through the event WhatsApp channel to help everyone fish responsibly and make informed plans.

Friday Social Fishing

We have obtained a permit with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks for a social fishing day at the 3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River. Join us on Friday, 9/11/26, for a fun and relaxed day on the water!

The day will kick off at 9:00 AM with a one-hour Hands-On Fly & Leader Set-Up session. Arrive early if you’d like personalized assistance getting your gear ready before we hit the water. Members of the Montana Event Committee will be available to help with leader and tippet set-ups, answer rigging questions, and recommend effective fly patterns for the 3 Dollar Bridge section of the Madison River, helping you start the day with confidence.

This is a casual, DIY fishing day, not guided, so come ready to explore, connect, and enjoy the river at your own pace. Let’s share the riverbanks with both new and familiar faces. Say hello, swap tips, and lend a hand when someone’s got a fish on!

Friday 9/11/26 – 3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River

9:00 am to 10:00 am – Hands-on Fly and Leader Set-Ups for the Social Fish
10:00 am to 11:00 am – Registration Packet Pick-Up
10:00 am – Weekend Safety Briefing
10:15 am – Group Photo
10:30 am to 12:00 pm – DIY Social Fishing
12:00 pm – Potluck

Saturday Social Fishing

AM Social Fish Location and Registration Pick-Up – We will share a place where the team is going for a social fish on Saturday, before the Wretched Mess Festival in the MT DIY WhatsApp Group

Fish Species

These are the fish species tha you might encounter while fishing in the West Yellowstone Montana area.

Brook Trout

Brown Trout

Grayling

Rainbow Trout

Westslope Cutthroat

Whitefish

Yellowstone Cutthroat

DIY Fishing Blogs

Need to Borrow Equipment

Each angler is expected to bring their equipment and flies. We have rod/reel setups, boots, and waders available for borrowing on a first-come, first-served basis. Please fill out the “Borrowed Equipment” form by August 31st, 2026 if you wish to borrow equipment. Click HERE.

Hire a fishing Guide

We recognize that not everyone wants to do-it-yourself (DIY) Fishing and may prefer the expertise of a fishing guide. In our commitment to showcasing local businesses and guides, we’re pleased to provide a list of guides in the area who align with the iFishiBelong mission and have approved us to add them onto our website.

Alice Owsley – Riverside Anglers Inc.
Aurorra Dominguez – Madison River Fishing Company
Chris Daniel – Big Sky Anglers
Christy Tran – Gallatin River Guides
Kara Tripp – Damsel Fly Fishing
Karlie Roland – Trout Hunter
Katherine Robinson – Blue Ribbon Flies

Fly Shops

We’re excited and grateful to have Big Sky Anglers as a sponsor for this event! Be sure to stop by their shop to pick up any last-minute gear or even book a guided trip. There are also several other great fly shops in the area that have always treated our community well. Here are a few additional local favorites worth checking out!

Local Fisheries

Below are some of the notable fishing rivers you can explore when visiting the West Yellowstone region.

Fishing Access Sites 30 minutes of west yellowstone

Grae Helm, a member of the Montana DIY Event Committee, compiled the following list of fishing opportunities and public access areas within approximately 30 minutes of West Yellowstone to help participants make the most of their time on the water.

Bakers Hole Campground (Madison River)
- Located just 3 miles (less than 10 minutes) north of downtown West Yellowstone on Highway 191.
- Features a broad, slow-moving bend of the Madison River.
- A popular destination for classic Western wade fishing targeting rainbow and brown trout.
Highway 287 Fishing Access
- Head north from West Yellowstone and turn left (west) onto Highway 287 toward Ennis.
- Numerous public pullouts and Fishing Access Sites (FAS) provide access to the Madison River, including:
  - Between the Lakes
  - Beaver Creek
  - Hebgen Lake
  - Quake Lake
  - Madison Slide (behind Kelly Galloup’s Slide Inn)
  - Raynolds Pass
  - Three Dollar Bridge
- Public access continues all the way downstream to Ennis.
- If you’re interested in floating the river, boat rentals and guided trips are available through local outfitters.
Yellowstone National Park
- Enter through the West Entrance to access the Madison River almost immediately.
- Numerous roadside pullouts provide easy access for wade fishing.
- From Madison Junction, you’ll also be within reach of the Firehole, Gibbon, Gardner, and Yellowstone Rivers, as well as numerous lakes, streams, and ponds.
- A Yellowstone National Park fishing permit is required and is separate from a Montana fishing license. Permits are available online or at Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone.
- Park regulations generally require catch-and-release fishing with a maximum of two barbless hooks (unless otherwise noted).
- Seasonal closures, particularly on the Firehole River due to warm geothermal water, may occur.
- Fishing in Yellowstone National Park is a unique experience and well worth exploring.
Grayling Creek
- A small creek located just north of West Yellowstone, with access from Highway 191 or Highway 287 near Hebgen Lake.
- Perfect for anglers looking to explore smaller water and enjoy a quiet creek adventure.
Gallatin River
- Travel north on Highway 191 from West Yellowstone.
- The upper Gallatin River runs through Yellowstone National Park and requires a Yellowstone fishing permit.
- Beyond the park boundary, the river enters Gallatin National Forest, where a Montana fishing license applies.
- The Gallatin offers numerous public pullouts and Fishing Access Sites from Big Sky to Bozeman.
Area Lakes
- Several excellent stillwater fisheries are within easy driving distance, including:
  - Hebgen Lake
  - Quake Lake
  - Yellowstone Lake
  - Henry’s Lake (Idaho)
- Guided fishing trips and boat rentals are available through outfitters such as Big Sky Anglers, Madison River Outfitters, Montana Angler (Hebgen Lake), and Bridge Bay Marina (Yellowstone National Park).

Felt Sole Boots are prohibited

With over 2500 miles of rivers and streams, as well as numerous lakes, Yellowstone waters present an excellent opportunity for the recreational angler.

Regulations and Fishing Regions – https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishing.htm

Northwest – https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishing_nw.htm
Northeast – https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishing_ne.htm
Southwest – https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishing_sw.htm
Southeast – https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishing_se.htm

Yellowstone Fishing License

Anglers 16 years of age or older must be in possession of a valid Yellowstone National Park fishing pass to fish in the park. State fishing licenses are not valid and are not required.

Permits can be purchased at Park Visitor Centers or at Fly Shops near the park. Click HERE for more information.

River Safety and Wading Concerns

Please be prepared for water conditions to change quickly. We will keep you all updated on the conditions to keep everyone safe. This DIY fishing weekend will happen rain or shine. Go to the Real-Time Yellowstone National Park Stream Flow Data.

River flows can change rapidly due to weather, early snowfall, or upstream releases, making footing unpredictable. Many rivers and creeks have slick, algae-covered rocks and uneven bottoms, increasing the risk of slips and falls. Use a wading staff, wear appropriate cold-weather layers and wading gear, and avoid crossing swift or deep channels. Always check weather forecasts, be prepared for sudden storms or snow, and fish with a partner when possible. Wildlife activity also increases in the fall, remain alert, give animals plenty of space, and carry bear spray where required.

Clothing

Weather in our area can be unpredictable, so plan for anything. Temperatures range from the 40s to the 80s, depending on the day. Be prepared with shedable layers to add or shed throughout the day.

Waders are recommended for safety.
Studded rubber boots are best as rocks can be very slippery and uneven.
Everyone should have a pair of polarized sunglasses for eye protection and to see fish and your obstacles under water.
It’s always recommended to bring a rain jacket.

Fishing Equipment

Fly Rods – 4wt – 6wt.
Rod Length – Average 9’.
Trout Sepy – 2wt – 4wt
Fly Lines – Typical Floating Fly Lines
Leader – 9’ 4x – 4x
Tippet Spools – 3x – 6x

Montana and Area Flies

In September, the Montana hatch scene begins to shift from summer to fall, with prolific Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) and Mahogany Dun mayfly hatches, along with lingering terrestrials like hoppers, ants, and beetles. Anglers often find success using BWO dries and emergers, Parachute Adams, Pheasant Tails, and foam hopper patterns, especially during warm afternoons and overcast days.

River Specific Flies

Henry's Fork

Madison River

Yellowstone Park

Henry's Fork

Madison River

Yellowstone Park

Leader Examples

2026 Event Sponsors