NEW REGULATIONS IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
In the 2013 fishing season in Yellowstone National Park, if you fish in the Lamar River drainage; which includes Slough Creek and Soda Butte Creek you must kill all non-native fish, including rainbow and brook trout. [Page 9 – 2013 YNP Fishing Regulations] It is an offense to release alive any non-native fish in those drainages, and you could receive a citation for failure to comply. [Pg. 13 – 2013 YNP Fishing Regulations]
This is a part of the Park Systems attempt to restore native fish populations in Park waters. It's interesting to note the Yellowstone National Park was in the forefront of catch and release angling in an attempt to maintain adequate populations of fish for the animals that depend up them for food. All the non-native fish within the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park were originally planted by the Park Service, and some streams that have non-native fish populations historically were barren before they were stocked by the Park Service.
Comments on this policy may be directed to Visitor Services Office, P.O.Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190