Gardner River YNP

The Gardner River (sometimes referred to as the Gardiner River) starts as a small icy stream on the slopes of Joseph Peak in the Northwest section of the Yellowstone National Parkl and continues 25 miles in the Park to join the Yellowstone River near Gardiner, Montana. 

After its tiny beginning, it adds the waters from Panther Creek, Indian Creek and other creeks before it approaches the Grand Loop Road. The upper reaches of the Gardner as well as Panther Creek, Indian Creek and Obsidian Creek contain large populations of small brook trout and some of these streams, are the only ones in the Park that may be fished by children twelve years and under with worms only. Caution, be sure to check the park’s regulations before letting any children use live bait anywhere within the park as the rules may change. An excellent campground located near the Obsidian Creek, which can be reached from the Grand Loop Road, provides access to this area. 

From the Grand Loop Road down to Osprey Falls the stream is more moderate and easy to fish until it nears the falls. The trout increase in size with more rainbow and cutthroats as well as cutbows living in the pocket water below the Osprey Falls. However, some hiking upstream from Lave Trail will be necessary to reach the water. After reaching a point below the high bridge on the Mammoth-Tower Road and extending down to almost within one mile of the 45th Parallel Bridge a short hike will also be necessary to reach water. 

The section just below the 45th Parallel Bridge downstream to Gardiner runs through some meadows but it is not normal meadow type water. The water is still heavy pocket water with large boulders, deep fast runs, short riffles and some long pools. This section is often overlooked by anglers; however, we feel that it is the best section to fish since it contains the largest trout and can be accessed easily. Also it can be noted that terrestrials are effective because the stream is bordered with high grass.

The North Entrance Road from Gardiner, Montana, to Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming, winds along the Gardner River meeting up with the Grand Loop Road which in turn intersects the Gardner River on two occasions. Much of the Gardner River is in rugged territory and as a result the fishing pressure is somewhat less.

Fishing the Gardner:

The middle and last sections of the Gardner has some larger browns and rainbows and as the angler continues down the river, cutthroat and cutbows will become more common after Osprey Falls. The important hatches of the Salmonfly and the Giant Stone Fly occur in June and July and the nymphs are in the water the entire year. The nymph pattern of these flies fished in tandem will do well in the middle and the lower sections of the river, but it may take some experience to accomplish this.  

Late Spring/Early summer:

Summer:

 Fall: