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.
Constant 64°F water flows through the Firehole River at 232 CFS CFS — 7/10 today. Top pick: a X-Caddis.
Open Sat of Mem Day wknd — First Sun in Nov
YNP fishing permit required. Thermally influenced - runs too warm Jun-Sep in many sections
Forecast and on-page guide updated June 22, 2026 (UTC). Open the app for hourly conditions.
Today's Fishing Conditions
Good
Updated 7:52 PM
64°F
232 CFS
1 PM - 3 PM
X-Caddis
Free forever • No signup required • Hourly updates
Quick Facts
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brook Trout
freestone
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
Recommended Tactics
PRIME MONTH. Salmonfly and stonefly hatches.
June Hatches
BWO
Mayfly
Spring and fall BWO fishing. Geothermal influence extends season.
PMD
Mayfly
June prime month before water warms. Morning emergence.
March Brown
Mayfly
Early summer mayfly. Hare's Ear patterns.
Speckled Dun
Mayfly
Slower water sections. Comparaduns effective.
Mother's Day Caddis
Caddis
Early season caddis. Park opens Memorial Day weekend.
Caddis
Caddis
Evening caddis emergence. Avoid when water exceeds 73°F.
Year-Round Fishing Guide
| Month | Water Temp | Tactics |
|---|---|---|
| January | 32-38°F | Deep nymphing, Midges, Streamers |
| February | 33-40°F | Midges, Small nymphs, Deep pools |
| March | 36-45°F | BWO dries, Streamers, Early stonefly nymphs |
| April | 40-50°F | Skwala dries, BWO patterns, Streamers |
| May | 45-55°F | Mother's Day Caddis, Nymphing, Streamers |
| June(Now) | 50-60°F | Salmonfly dries, Golden Stones, PMDs |
| July | 55-68°F | PMDs, Hoppers, Caddis, Attractor dries |
| August | 55-70°F | Hoppers, Tricos, PMDs, Terrestrials |
| September | 48-58°F | BWOs, Streamers, Hoppers |
| October | 40-50°F | Streamers, BWOs, Egg patterns |
| November | 35-42°F | Streamers, Deep nymphs, Egg patterns |
| December | 32-38°F | Deep 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.
Midway Geyser Basin
Access near Grand Prismatic.
Firehole Canyon
Canyon access below falls.
Madison Junction
Confluence with Madison.
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
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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