What special fishing regulations apply at Yellowstone Lake?

Yellowstone Lake carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Wyoming's statewide 2026 rules, covering Cutthroat trout and Lake trout (Mackinaw). One of them reads: "Federal NPS jurisdiction overlay — NPS Yellowstone NP Fishing Permit required ($40 3-day / $55 7-day / $75 season); native Yellowstone cutthroat trout 0 / day catch-and-release-only (NPS native cutthroat protection); lake trout (Mackinaw) NO DAILY BAG LIMIT — must kill (NPS aggressive suppression program — ~400,000 lake trout removed annually via NPS contract gillnetting to protect native Yellowstone cutthroat population)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Yellowstone Lake?

Yes. Yellowstone Lake is in Wyoming, so a valid Wyoming fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Yellowstone Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Wyoming rules.

Do Yellowstone Lake's special rules replace Wyoming's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Wyoming's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Yellowstone Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Yellowstone Lake?

Cutthroat trout and Lake trout (Mackinaw) have a water-body-specific rule on Yellowstone Lake, each linking to its full Wyoming regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Wyoming limits.

2026 regulation year

Yellowstone Lake 2026 — Wyoming Fishing Regulations

Wyoming statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated May 30, 2026

Yellowstone Lake carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of Wyoming's 2026 fishing rules — covering Cutthroat trout, Lake trout (Mackinaw). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Federal NPS jurisdiction overlay — NPS Yellowstone NP Fishing Permit required ($40 3-day / $55 7-day / $75 season); native Yellowstone cutthroat trout 0 / day catch-and-release-only (NPS native cutthroat protection); lake trout (Mackinaw) NO DAILY BAG LIMIT — must kill (NPS aggressive suppression program — ~400,000 lake trout removed annually via NPS contract gillnetting to protect native Yellowstone cutthroat population)
Source: Wyoming special-water list

Per-species rules on Yellowstone Lake

Cutthroat trout regulations →
Federal NPS jurisdiction — 0 / day CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY native Yellowstone cutthroat; NPS Yellowstone NP Fishing Permit required
Lake trout (Mackinaw) regulations →
NO DAILY BAG LIMIT — mandatory harvest under NPS suppression program (must kill all lake trout caught); NPS Yellowstone NP Fishing Permit required

Official source

Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) publishes the authoritative 2026 Wyoming fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Wyoming fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Wyoming Game and Fish Department's emergency-order feed — check it before any Wyoming trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Wyoming

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Yellowstone Lake?: Yellowstone Lake carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Wyoming's statewide 2026 rules, covering Cutthroat trout and Lake trout (Mackinaw). One of them reads: "Federal NPS jurisdiction overlay — NPS Yellowstone NP Fishing Permit required ($40 3-day / $55 7-day / $75 season); native Yellowstone cutthroat trout 0 / day catch-and-release-only (NPS native cutthroat protection); lake trout (Mackinaw) NO DAILY BAG LIMIT — must kill (NPS aggressive suppression program — ~400,000 lake trout removed annually via NPS contract gillnetting to protect native Yellowstone cutthroat population)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Yellowstone Lake?: Yes. Yellowstone Lake is in Wyoming, so a valid Wyoming fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Yellowstone Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Wyoming rules.
Do Yellowstone Lake's special rules replace Wyoming's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Wyoming's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Yellowstone Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Yellowstone Lake?: Cutthroat trout and Lake trout (Mackinaw) have a water-body-specific rule on Yellowstone Lake, each linking to its full Wyoming regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Wyoming limits.

← Back to Wyoming regulations overview