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Wyoming fly fishing

Lamar River

Yellowstone cutthroat water inside the park. You need a Yellowstone fishing permit, and you should watch for bison and bears.

  • 68 miRiver length
  • 1Game fish
  • 11Access points
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In the FlyFishFinder app Lamar River Every access point, mapped Today's top 10 rivers near you Live flows from nearby gages Today's rating Premium Open in the app

About the Lamar

The Lamar River is excellent Yellowstone cutthroat water.

It is inside Yellowstone National Park, so you need a Yellowstone fishing permit. A Wyoming license does not cover it.

Bison and bears are common here. Keep your distance and stay aware. Small dry flies like a Parachute Adams work, and nymphing can be very effective too.

Fish you'll catch

Tap a fish to see every Wyoming river that holds it.

Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

Hatching in November

What's on the water in the Upper Yellowstone watershed this month, and the fly to match.

Midge
Midge
#22-28, WD-40
34–65°F
Blue-Winged Olive
Mayfly
#18-22, Comparadun
44–58°F
All 11 hatches this year
Midge
Midge
#22-28, WD-40
34–65°F
Blue-Winged Olive
Mayfly
#18-22, Comparadun
44–58°F
Skwala Stonefly
Stonefly
#8-10, Chubby Chernobyl
44–54°F
Mother's Day Caddis
Caddis
#14-16, Elk Hair Caddis
48–58°F
Pale Morning Dun
Mayfly
#16-18, Sparkle Dun
55–68°F
Salmonfly
Stonefly
#4-6, Chernobyl Salmonfly
50–60°F
Golden Stonefly
Stonefly
#6-8, Stimulator
55–65°F
Green Drake
Mayfly
#10-12, Paradrake
55–65°F
Hopper Season
Terrestrial
#8-12, Dave's Hopper
65–78°F
Trico
Mayfly
#22-26, Trico Spinner
60–72°F
Mahogany Dun
Mayfly
#16, Comparadun
52–62°F

Light bars show the season and dark bars the peak. The ringed month is this month.

Tips for fishing the Lamar

  • Get the park permit

    Fishing here requires a Yellowstone fishing permit.

  • Watch for wildlife

    Bison and bears are common along the Lamar. Give them plenty of room.

  • Start with a Parachute Adams

    Small dries are the local pick when fish are rising.

  • Nymph when they are not up

    Nymphing can be very effective here.

Every access point on the Lamar, in your pocket.

  • 11 mapped access points, with parking and put-ins
  • Today's Fishability score, so you fish the day that lines up
  • 7-day flow and water-temp trends for every gauge on the river
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Lamar River FAQ

Do I need a special license to fish the Lamar River?

Yes. The Lamar is in Yellowstone National Park, so you need a Yellowstone fishing permit.

What fish live in the Lamar River?

Yellowstone cutthroat trout.

When is the best time to fly fish the Lamar River?

Summer and fall.

What flies work on the Lamar River?

Small dry flies like a Parachute Adams, plus nymphs.

Is the Lamar fishing well today?

This page shows the live gage. For a rating of how it is fishing today, open the river in the FlyFishFinder app.

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