Yellowstone Backcountry Fishing Trips

General Information
The crew at Sunrise Pack Station offers many different angling options throughout the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park. Most of the fishing takes place on small backcountry creeks and streams. Wading and fishing from the banks is the normal practice, along with the use of lighter trout rods – four weight and five weight – in packable, four-piece configurations. Most of the fish you will catch in the backcountry of Yellowstone are native cutthroat trout – colorful and feisty and almost always willing to take a dry fly.

Fan Creek
This family-oriented trip will take you up to Fan Creek. This backcountry playground is a place for hikes, playing in the creek, playing with the horses, or maybe trying to catch an early trout in Fan Creek. Your nights will be spent around the campfire enjoying stories or listening to the howl of wolves. The Fan Creek region has one of the few almost all-black wolf packs in Yellowstone National Park.

Slough Creek
Another hot spot in Yellowstone National Park’s fishing adventure is Slough Creek. Big fish, slow water, and spectacular scenery make this one of the most sought-after places to fish. You ride in and set up one camp and then concentrate on fishing. By this time of year, the grasshoppers have come out so the sight fishing with great big flies is fantastic! Some of the best hatches come off in the evening so once you’re done eating dinner, feel free to go back down and fish till dark.

Cache Creek
On your first day, you’ll ride 6 miles to the Lower Cache Creek site, where you’ll set up our home away from home for the next 2 nights. You’ll begin fishing as soon as you arrive in camp, as it lies right on the creek side. You’ll spend day two fishing up and down Cache Creek exploring the pockets and pools which hold nice vibrant cutthroat trout. Anyone who is not up for fishing can ride up Cache Creek for some photography as you climb alongside “The Thunderer” for some great alpine shots or the occasional buffalo, wolf, or bear meandering up and down the trail. Your nights will be filled with tales around the campfire, good food, and relaxation. On your last day, you’ll fish around camp while the guides pack things up and then head back home.

Upper Gallatin River
In this beautiful part of Yellowstone there are good chances to see wildlife near Big Horn Pass, catch some wild trout in the Gallatin River, enjoy wildflowers in the meadows and hillsides. Your first day will be spent riding up the upper Gallatin River to a camp right on the rivers edge. The following days and nights will be spent hiking, riding, fishing and playing. This is a place for families and fishermen alike.

Upper Lamar River
One of Yellowstone National Park’s premier fishing spots, the Lamar River Valley, provides deep pools and large active fish. You will ride up the canyon, out of reach for the majority of the visitors to Yellowstone National Park, for some pristine fishing waters. Besides fishing, be sure to bring your camera. Wolves, bears, buffalo, and elk are all known to frequent these areas. While you’re here, you’ll discuss the Nez Perce Indians who traveled right through this area as they fled from the army in Yellowstone National Park in 1877.

Sportsman Lake
Enjoy Yellowstone’s remote Northwest Corner. You will begin at the Specimen Creek Trailhead and ride 6 miles up our first day to a beautiful camp on the North Fork of Specimen Creek. The next day we will ride 7 miles up to Sportsman Lake. This high mountain lake rests below Electric Peak and is nestled in the surrounding mountains. Here you will fish, hike, swim, and play. The lake contains a healthy population of cutthroat trout of up to 16 inches. Next to camp is a quaint ranger cabin and corals to explore around.

Bechler River
Come to Yellowstone National Park’s Cascade Corner and photograph the magnificent waterfalls. This time of year is spectacular in the park. Late summer provides warm days and cool nights for an amazing time in Yellowstone’s Cascade Corner. You’ll ride to numerous waterfalls and overlooks to see spectacular scenery. Bring your camera to capture the people, horses, wildlife, and scenery. In the off time, relax in the warm waters of this area to rest your bones and rejuvenate your soul.

Boats and Equipment
Camps are accessed via horseback, usually with the support of several mules on a mule train. Sunrise Pack Station provides all camping gear, including tents, sleeping bags, pillows, inflatable ground pads, sleeping bag liners, and pillowcases. They also provide large duffel bags for you to pack your clothing and other gear for the mules to carry. You will want to bring all of your own clothing, a headlamp, personal items, and your fishing equipment. Sunrise Pack Station and Yellow Dog will send you a packing list so you will not forget anything. Most people bring their own fishing gear, but rental rods are available upon request. Waders are optional, although recommended for the early season.