![]() ![]() Fisheries Biologists began to fill the fishless waters with almost every type of sport fish they could obtain.Īlong with a diversity of trout, biologists stocked Yellow Perch, Smelt, Black Bass, Lakers, Atlantic Salmon, Crappies, Bluegills, Grayling, Whitefish, and other species of finned candidates. There were other native fish that included suckers, sculpins, and minnows. Only 17 of the park’s 150 lakes held trout populations. The Gardiner and Bechler Rivers were also troutless. The Upper Firehole, Gibbon, and Madison had no trout. Many waters were isolated and did not allow migration of fish species. Early explorers found 40 percent of the park’s waters barren of fish. Tinkering with ecosystems was not thought to be an issue. Tons of wild Cutthroat trout were caught and sold across the country! All of this was happening along with a thriving commercial fishery in Yellowstone Lake. Native Westslope Cuts and Fluvial Grayling have been struggling to survive ever since. Brook trout were also scattered around the area. Trout were stocked pretty much anywhere they thought a trout could live. Park Rangers hauled other fish species throughout the park in milk cans on the back of mules. After this time, browns and rainbow trout were randomly introduced into the region. Back in the day, Yellowstone Cutthroat trout was it! No other trout were native to the park. The true story of Yellowstone trout is different from what you may have heard. The trout were huge, abundant, and healthy. The trout could be so selective, but if you “Matched the Hatch” it was magic. Buffalo Ford would have a hundred fly fishermen trying to catch a “Cut.” If you did not have a yellow bodied Caddis, good luck. Yellowstone River was so full of Cutthroat trout that they seemed infinite. Our family would spend the entire summer moving from camp to camp throughout the park. That’s a lot of room for a lot of trout.Īs a kid, fishing in Yellowstone Park was amazing. The average depth is 139 feet and as deep as 390 feet. Yellowstone Lake alone is 136 square miles of trout habitat. ![]() The watersheds have been healthy and perfect habitats for trout. Fish have always been abundant in Yellowstone Park. ![]()
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