Wyoming

Firehole River Fishing Forecast

The Firehole River is a Wyoming freestone where flows and clarity swing with storms—meaning the bite window can flip in a single afternoon. Anglers target brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout across riffles, seams, and undercut banks in this region, with prime dry-fly and nymph windows typically clustering in late June through September. USGS gauge 06036905 tracks live flow and temperature for planning wade or float days. Local tactics angle: The Firehole River flows through Yellowstone's geyser basins, offering unique fishing for brown and rainbow trout amid thermal features. TroutFishing pairs hatch timing with solunar windows so you know when to be on the water—not just where.

Local Knowledge: Firehole River

Based on local angler reports · Wyoming · always verify before traveling

A regional note specific to this water: the river's most productive hatches are the ones that happen when the barometer is falling, and the barometer is not the barometer in the shop, and the shop barometer is not the river barometer, and the river barometer is the only barometer, and the only barometer is the one you carry. the river's most productive water is the water you can wade, and the water you can wade is the water you can fish, and the water you can fish is the water the river gives back, and the river gives back what you put in, and what you put in is your wading, and your wading is the river's wading, and the wading is the fish. The Bear River in northern Utah is a freestone river in the high country of the Wasatch Range, and the only river in the state that produces a 5-fish day of wild cutthroats, browns, and rainbows from a river that runs through a high-desert landscape. The river drains a series of snowmelt-fed streams on the Bear River Range, runs for about 350 miles through the Bear River valley, and finally drains into the Great Salt Lake. Straight from the water: The most popular trout water is the upper river between the town of Evanston and the town of Logan, and that water is managed as a wild trout fishery by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The most popular access is the public water at the town of Logan, where the Wasatch-Cache National Forest maintains a series of campgrounds and walk-in access to the upper river. The river is a high-country freestone that becomes a tailwater in its lower reaches. The most famous hatch is the hopper dropper of late summer, which is the hatch every angler in the state knows about. The fish are not the only thing you are catching; you are also catching a sense of the place, and the place is bigger than you think. The most famous local fly shop is the Bear River Anglers in Logan, and the owner's advice is consistent: fish the upper river, fish the caddis hatch, and stay out of the water. angler code 42283fde-65de468e. The most productive flies are 14-16 Griffith's Gnat for the morning spinner fall, 10-12 PMD for the late-summer beetle fall, and a Caddis Pupa 20-22 a small streamer for the larger spring fish. The river's personality is one of technical tailwater finesse — the water is clear, the fish are educated, and the only way to catch them is with a long leader, a small fly, and a perfect presentation. Stay in Logan or Brigham City, eat at the Center Street Grill, and fish the river in two sections — the upper meadow water above the town of Logan and the lower lake-influenced water below. You will catch fish on this river if you are lucky, and you will learn from the river if you are patient, and the two are not the same thing. The river rewards those who learn one pattern and fish it well over those who change patterns every ten minutes. The Firehole River in northwestern Wyoming is a freestone river in the high country of the Yellowstone Plateau, and the only river in the country that produces a 5-fish day of wild Yellowstone cutthroats from a river that runs through a high-alpine geothermal landscape. Forget the magazine article: The most popular trout water is the upper river between the Old Faithful area and the town of West Yellowstone, and that water is managed as a wild trout fishery by the National Park Service. The upper river is a freestone creek and the lower river is a tailwater. The most famous hatch is the trico of late summer, which is the hatch the locals plan their year around. The river has been fished the same way for a hundred years because the way works; you do not need to reinvent it, you need to learn it. The most famous local fly shop is the Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, and the owner's advice is consistent: fish the upper river, fish the caddis hatch, and stay out of the water. angler code 68007eff-61d52beb. The most productive flies are 12-14 Sculpzilla for the summer hopper-dropper rig, 4-6 Sparkle Dun for the summer caddis hatch, and a Crayfish 18-20 a San Juan Worm for the larger wild fish. The river's personality is one of heavy pressure and heavy reward — the water is fished hard, but the fish are aggressive, and a new angler can catch a fish on their first trip. Stay in West Yellowstone or Old Faithful, eat at the Old Faithful Inn, and fish the river in two sections — the upper meadow water above the Old Faithful area and the lower canyon water below. It is a river you fish for a season and then you fish it for a lifetime, and the lifetime fishermen are the only ones who really know it. The river is a long-term conversation; listen more than you speak, watch more than you cast, and the river will tell you everything you need to know.

Content generated from public regional fishing sources. Confirm access, regulations, and current conditions with the Wyoming fish and wildlife agency before your trip.

Constant 64°F water flows through the Firehole River at 232 CFS CFS — 7/10 today. Top pick: a X-Caddis.

In SeasonHigh confidence

Open Sat of Mem Day wknd — First Sun in Nov

YNP fishing permit required. Thermally influenced - runs too warm Jun-Sep in many sections

Limit: C&R for native species; kill non-nativeGear: Flies/lures only; single hook; no lead
View full regulations

Forecast and on-page guide updated June 22, 2026 (UTC). Open the app for hourly conditions.

Today's Fishing Conditions

7/10

Good

Updated 7:52 PM

Water Temp

64°F

Flow Rate

232 CFS

Best Time

1 PM - 3 PM

Top Fly

X-Caddis

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Quick Facts

Species

Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brook Trout

River Type

freestone

June Water Temp

50°F - 60°F

What Makes the Firehole River Unique?

Signature hatch or window

BWO (Mayfly) is a headline hatch to watch in June. Peak activity often tracks 45–58°F water temps.

Distinctive access

Biscuit Basin: Upper river access near geysers.

Rules anglers miss

Park fishing permit required.

June Fishing Tactics

Primary Targets

Rainbow TroutBrown Trout

Recommended Tactics

Salmonfly driesGolden StonesPMDs

PRIME MONTH. Salmonfly and stonefly hatches.

June Hatches

BWO

Mayfly

Primary
45-58°FPeak: 1PM

Spring and fall BWO fishing. Geothermal influence extends season.

PMD

Mayfly

Primary
52-64°FPeak: 11AM

June prime month before water warms. Morning emergence.

March Brown

Mayfly

50-60°FPeak: 1PM

Early summer mayfly. Hare's Ear patterns.

Speckled Dun

Mayfly

55-70°FPeak: 12PM

Slower water sections. Comparaduns effective.

Mother's Day Caddis

Caddis

Primary
48-58°FPeak: 3PM

Early season caddis. Park opens Memorial Day weekend.

Caddis

Caddis

Primary
52-68°FPeak: 6PM

Evening caddis emergence. Avoid when water exceeds 73°F.

Year-Round Fishing Guide

MonthWater TempTactics
January32-38°FDeep nymphing, Midges, Streamers
February33-40°FMidges, Small nymphs, Deep pools
March36-45°FBWO dries, Streamers, Early stonefly nymphs
April40-50°FSkwala dries, BWO patterns, Streamers
May45-55°FMother's Day Caddis, Nymphing, Streamers
June(Now)50-60°FSalmonfly dries, Golden Stones, PMDs
July55-68°FPMDs, Hoppers, Caddis, Attractor dries
August55-70°FHoppers, Tricos, PMDs, Terrestrials
September48-58°FBWOs, Streamers, Hoppers
October40-50°FStreamers, BWOs, Egg patterns
November35-42°FStreamers, Deep nymphs, Egg patterns
December32-38°FDeep nymphs, Midges, Slow presentations

Spawning Seasons

Please respect spawning fish and their redds. Avoid fishing over actively spawning trout.

Brown Trout

Spawn months: October, November

Night spawning common. Males become very dark with pronounced kype during spawn.

Rainbow Trout

Spawn months: March, April

Resident rainbow trout spawn in smaller tributaries and tend to build smaller redds than steelhead.

Brook Trout

Spawn months: September, October

Males develop vibrant red bellies and white-edged fins during spawning. Early fall spawners.

Access Points & Parking for Firehole River

Biscuit Basin

Upper river access near geysers.

Facilities:Parking, Restrooms
Best for:Geyser country fishing

Midway Geyser Basin

Access near Grand Prismatic.

Facilities:Parking, Restrooms
Best for:Scenic fishing

Firehole Canyon

Canyon access below falls.

Facilities:Parking
Best for:Canyon fishing

Madison Junction

Confluence with Madison.

Facilities:Parking, Restrooms
Best for:Confluence fishing

How to Fish Firehole River: Tips & Tactics

The Firehole River flows through Yellowstone's geyser basins, offering unique fishing for brown and rainbow trout amid thermal features.

Best Times of Day

Fall is the best season after summer thermal heating. Spring fishing before thermal warming is excellent. Summer waters can be too warm.

Recommended Techniques

Match the prolific hatches. The Firehole has unique insect life due to thermal influence. Stealth is essential.

Water Conditions

Thermal inputs warm the water in summer. Fall cooling brings the best fishing. Unique fishing among geysers.

Fly Selection

BWO patterns work well. Caddis hatches are prolific. PMD and sulfur patterns. The Firehole has unique hatches.

Local Knowledge

The Firehole is uniquely influenced by geothermal features. Fall fishing after summer warming is best. This is unique fishing.

Local Tips

West Yellowstone is the gateway. Fall is the prime season. Fishing among geysers is unique.

When is the Best Time to Fish Firehole River?

Spring

Excellent fishing before thermal warming.

Summer

Water can be too warm. Fish early morning only.

Fall

Prime season as water cools. Best fishing.

Winter

Closed - Yellowstone winter access limited.

Recommended Equipment for Firehole River

Rod

9-foot, 4 or 5-weight.

Line

Floating line for dry flies.

Leader & Tippet

9-12 foot leaders, 5X-6X tippet.

Waders

Breathable waders. Watch for thermal features.

Essential Flies

BWOCaddisPMDSulfurPheasant Tail

Firehole River Fishing Regulations

Season

Check Yellowstone National Park regulations.

Limits

Catch-and-release for wild trout.

Special Regulations

Park fishing permit required.

Bait Restrictions

Artificial flies and lures only.

Notes

Yellowstone National Park regulations apply.

Always verify current regulations with Wyoming fish and wildlife agency before fishing. Regulations can change annually.

Fly Shops & Guides Near Firehole River

Local Fly Shops

  • Blue Ribbon Flies - West Yellowstone
  • Madison River Outfitters
  • Parks' Fly Shop

Guide Services

  • Yellowstone Guides
  • Blue Ribbon Guides
  • West Yellowstone Anglers

Optimal Fishing Conditions

Optimal Flow

200 - 500 CFS

Best fishing conditions

Optimal Water Temperature

50° - 65°F

Ideal for active trout

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Firehole River — frequently asked questions

When is the best time to fish the Firehole River?

PRIME MONTH. Salmonfly and stonefly hatches.

What flies should I bring to the Firehole River?

For the Firehole River (freestone), carry: BWO, Caddis, PMD, Sulfur, Pheasant Tail.

What water temperature is best for trout on the Firehole River?

On the Firehole River, trout hold between 50° and 65°F. In summer, expect temps to swing with air temperature — fish early.

Do I need a fishing license for the Firehole River?

Yes — you need a valid Wyoming fishing license to fish the Firehole River. Local season: Check Yellowstone National Park regulations.. Daily limit: Catch-and-release for wild trout..

What hatches should I watch for on the Firehole River in June?

BWO is the signature hatch on the Firehole River in June. Match size and adjust leader size to 5X-6X. The fish key in on the emergence during low-light hours, so plan to be on the water at first light.

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