Fishing
Fishing Near RedRock RV Park
Idaho is a fisherman’s dream! From RedRock RV Park, enjoy easy access to over 15 different fishing areas.
Firehole River – Yellowstone
Experience the best fly fishing in the Yellowstone Park at Firehole River. This unique river is mineral rich and has temperature fluctuations that make it a magnificent trout stream. It flows through 3 of the largest and most active geysers in the world. The unique variance in temperature is due to hot springs, geysers, and thermal features like Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic spring. The outflow of these features flow directly into the river – watch out for mud pots and hot springs as you walk its banks. While you’re fishing, enjoy the frequent sightings of elk, bison, and bear. This unique river is a worthwhile destination for non-anglers as well.
- Season: July 15 to November
- Fish type: Cutthroat trout, Brown trout, Rainbow trout
- Stocked? No
- Boats? No boats or floats on Yellowstone River in the park
- Elevation: 7,800 to 3,100 feet
Red Rock Creek – Montana
Enjoy fly fishing in this beautiful and quiet stream. Red Rock Creek flows from Mount Jefferson on the Continental Divide. It is actually the true furthest headwaters of the mighty Missouri River. In Red Rock Creek, anglers can hope to catch some very large yellowstone cutthroat trout (up to 10 pounds!) and the unique sport fish: arctic grayling. Fishing here is catch and release for the grayling and cutthroat trout. While you’re fishing, keep an eye out for female moose and calves. This is a remote fishing location but has a maintained dirt road for access.
- Season: 3rd Saturday in May to the end of November
- Fish type: Arctic grayling, brook trout, rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, cutthroat trout
- Boats? No boats over 10 MPH
- Elevation: 6,750 feet
- Length: 26 miles
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge – Montana
Enjoy fishing at the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Fishermen can enjoy a day out and hope to catch a variety of trout, whitefish, and arctic grayling in these streams and ponds. This area is a wonderful place to visit even if you only catch the peace and quiet. This fishing area begins only 14 miles west of RedRock RV Park. All streams, unless marked, can be fished. Culver Pond and Widgeon Pond can also be fished. However, fishing on the Upper and Lower Red Rock Lakes and Swan Lake is not permitted.
Getting there:
- Head west on Red Rock Road toward Forest Road 463.
- Turn left onto Red Rock Pass Road.
- Continue into S Valley Road.
Elk Lake – Montana
Enjoy the fishing at Elk Lake near Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy a quiet day out on the lake and try your luck for westslope and yellowstone cutthroat trout. They range from 3 to 5 pounds. This small lake – just 4 miles by half a mile wide – is catch and release. You can also launch a boat here. This fishing spot is just a 20 mile drive west from RedRock RV Park.
- Season: Year round
- Fish type: Lake trout, arctic grayling, brook trout, rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, cutthroat trout
- Stocking: Cutthroat trout
- Boats? Yes
- Elevation: 6,750 feet
- Size: 204 acres
Hidden Lake – Montana
Hidden Lake is tucked away in the far recesses of the Centennial Valley in Montana. Catch colorful rainbow trout here. Use your own float or rent a rowboat from Elk Lake Resort. This beautiful lake is on a maintained dirt road but spots may be impassable after spring rain. RedRock recommends a 4-wheel drive for the last park.
- Season: June 15 to November 30
- Fish type: Brown trout, rainbow trout, white sucker
- Stocking: Cutthroat trout
- Boats? Yes
- Elevation: 6,750 feet
- Size: 147 acres
Wade Lake – Montana
Montana’s top Brown Trout at 29 pounds was caught at Wade Lake! Can you beat the record? Enjoy fishing from a boat, a canoe, or a float tube. Most fishermen fly fish, spincast, or troll at this fishing spot. Wade Lake is accessible by a dirt road off of Highway 87.
- Season: Year round
- Fish type: Brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout
- Stocking: No, artificial spawning channel
- Boats? Standard Montana rules
- Elevation: 6,347 feet
- Size: 608 acres
Cliff Lake – Montana
Cliff Lake is next door to Wade Lake and was also a record holding fishing spot. For over thirty years, Cliff Lake held the Montana Record for a 20 pound rainbow trout.
- Season: Year round
- Fish type: Rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, cutthroat trout
- Stocking: Cutthroat trout
- Boats? Standard Montana rules
- Elevation: 6,347 feet
- Size: 608 acres
Madison River – Montana
Enjoy some fishing at the world-famous “Blue Ribbon” trout fishing and scenic river: Madison River in Montana. Fishing from the Dam to Quake Lake is the most predictable because of the warm water and constant flow. RedRock RV Park is 20 miles from the US87 bridge where the river is slow but big trout live. Large rainbow and brown trout can be caught here. There are many turn-offs from Highway 287 for fishermen to try their luck on this river.
- Season: Open the 3rd Saturday of May to February
- Fish type: Rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, brown trout
- Boats? No
- Elevation: 6,124 feet
- Length: 132 miles
Hebgen Lake – Montana
According to some guides, Hebgen Lake is the finest dry fly fishing lake in North America. Enjoy a population of cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout in this big lake. The Madison and South Fork arms are the favorite spots for fly fisherman. These are on the eastern section of the lake where the Madison River feeds into it. Non-fly fishermen can also enjoy fishing here. There are many 20+ inch rainbow trout caught from trolling boats. You do need a Montana fishing license to fish in Hebgen Lake.
- Season: Year round
- Fish type: Rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, brown trout, cutthroat trout
- Stocked: Rainbow trout
- Boats? Observe no wake rules near populated shore areas
- Elevation: 6,547 feet
- Size: 12564 acres
South Fork of Madison River – Montana
Enjoy a day at the South Fork of the Madison River. The classic, meandering stream supports a large Brown Trout spawning run in the fall. The Madison River in the South Fork is shallow but in the deep pools hide large fish. Past Highway 191 as the river widens and flows in Hebgen Lake, larger fish swim into the river. That area is the most heavily fished and productive part of the river.
- Season: June 15 to November 30
- Fish type: Rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, brown trout, cutthroat trout
- Boats? No
- Elevation: 6,566 to 6,700 feet
Gallatin River – Montana
The Gallatin River ranks as one of the finest wade fishing rivers in Montana. There is great dry fly fishing on the river that is relatively quiet from fellow anglers. This area is also a great spot for novice fly fishermen because the fish are not picky eaters. The Gallatin River flows out of Yellowstone to the Missouri River. Between Yellowstone and Bozeman, Montana, there are plenty of places for fly fishermen to pull over and cast a line. For most of its length, floating on the Gallatin is not permitted and there are special fishing regulations in the park.
- Season: Year round
- Fish type: Rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, arctic grayling
- Boats? No motorboats. Upper reaches does not allow floating
- Elevation: varies from 6,547 feet
Henry’s Lake – Idaho
Enjoy some fishing at Henry’s Lake – only 1 mile from RedRock RV Park. Henry’s Lake has cutthroat trout, cutthroat-rainbow hybrids, and brook trout. Challenge yourself on a float tube or bring the family and let your kids get excited at the fish biting. The best fishing is done in the early morning between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m.
- Season: Memorial weekend to October 31
- Fish type: Rainbow trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout, cutthroat-rainbow hybrids
- Stocked: From hatchery on the lake
- Boats? Yes
- Elevation: 6,470 feet
- Size: 6,500 acres
Henry’s Fork of Snake River – Idaho
Try your line at one of the best fly-fishing rivers in the world! The members of Trout Unlimited voted it the number one stream in America! Not only is there great trout fishing, but this area is extremely scenic making fishing enjoyable whether you get a bite or not. The Box Canyon below the Island Park Reservoir is famous for its huge rainbows and salmonfly hatch. Harriman State Park encloses a 7 mile stretch of the beautiful river and should not be missed!
- Season: May to November
- Fish type: Rainbow trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout, kokanee, mountain whitefish
- Stocked: Varies
- Boats? Varies, see rules
- Elevation: varies from 6,500 to 5,400 feet
- Length: 150 miles
Island Park Reservoir – Idaho
The Island Park Reservoir was created by a dam at the head of Box Canyon. There are 5 boat launches and other public access areas in this easy to fish place. However, recreational boating can make fishing tricky at times. Don’t let that discourage you though. It is not uncommon to find fish over 20 inches long. Rainbow Trout can get up to 12 pounds and lurk in the shallows and depths.
- Season: Year round
- Fish type: Rainbow trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout, kokanee, mountain whitefish
- Stocked: Yes
- Boats? Observe no wake rule near populated shore areas
- Elevation: 6,306 feet
- Size: 700 acres
Madison River – Yellowstone
The Madison River begins as the confluence of the Gibbon and Firehole Rivers. This river is generally gentle, shallow, and wide flowing down the valley to West Yellowstone. The easiest fishing is in the upper meadows near Madison Junction. For a challenge, the toughest sections are the riggles in the lower reaches as the river leaves the park. The Madison has an exceptionally high nutrient level in places due to the thermal springs – makes for good fishing. Anyone over the age of 12 needs to obtain a fishing permit. As well, a park pass is also required to enter Yellowstone National Park.
- Season: May to November
- Fish type: Rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish
- Stocked: No
- Boats? No
- Elevation: 6,547 feet
Yellowstone Lake – Wyoming
This is the main lake in Yellowstone National Park but it has little fishing pressure due to the abundance of trophy class streams and rivers. Quality fly fishing for cutthroat trout can be done from the shoreline even with more than 87,000 acres of lake. The fishing for 15-18 inch cutthroat is best in mid-July until the end of August when the Callibaetis flies hatch. The fish have been known to jump 6 feet to chase a Callibaetis imitation. There is a kill all rule for any Lake Trout caught. Cutthroats are catch and release only. As well, only barbless hooks are allowed. If you use a boat or float tube, make sure you are wary of the strong winds that can blow here.
- Season: June 15 to November
- Fish type: Cutthroat trout, lake trout
- Stocked: No
- Boats? All boats and float tubes require a permit
- Elevation: 7,820 feet
Yellowstone River – Yellowstone National Park
The Yellowstone River is very long with some of the most beautiful scenery in the west! There are native trout waiting in every part of the river – from Yellowstone Lake in Wyoming to Billings, Montana. Fly fishermen can snag a trophy rainbow, brown, or cutthroat trout. Fishing in the park starts one mile below the lake outlet. There is no fishing at Fishing Bridge. All native fish are catch and release only. No natural or organic bait is allowed. As well, only barbless hooks are allowed.
- Season: June 15 to November
- Fish type: Cutthroat trout, brown trout, rainbow trout
- Stocked: No
- Boats? No boats or floats on the Yellowstone River in the park
- Elevation: 7,800 feet