As we head into the month of May, we have a lot to look forward to as anglers in the Yellowstone Region.
With many fisheries opening, greening landscapes, consistent hatches, and big trout on the horizon, May is one of the best months to fish in and around Yellowstone. To share my excitement for the coming month, I all the things we have to look forward to in May fishing.
Yellowstone Opens Its Waters To Fishing in May
For the first time, Yellowstone National Park opens the Firehole, Gibbon, and Madison rivers for fishing on May 1st. Previously, these rivers opened on Memorial Day weekend. This gives us anglers an extra month to fish these rivers before they get too warm to ethically fish, which usually happens by late June. I expect the fishing to be exceptional on these fisheries with a variety of hatches and rising trout.
On top of the May 1st opener, most of the other park waters open to fishing Memorial Day weekend. With all these fisheries opening, there is a lot to look forward to for those who love fishing in Yellowstone National Park.
Montana General Fishing Season Opens
The Montana general fishing season opens on the third Saturday in May. While many of Montana’s fisheries remain open throughout the winter, some close during the winter months. These fisheries coming back into play will give us many more fishing options and spread anglers out. It’s always exciting to plan a fishing trip on the opening day of your favorite stream, and another thing to look forward to for May fishing.
Mother's Day Caddis and Other Hatches
The famous Mother’s Day Caddis hatch hits its full stride on many rivers across the Yellowstone Region. While in some years it starts in April, the bulk of the hatch occurs in May, bringing some fantastic fishing. Along with the caddis, May is known for epic hatches of blue-wing olives, march browns, and early-season PMDs. For the match-the-hatch angler, May is a great time to fish the Yellowstone Region and find some rising trout.
The First Salmonfly Hatches
On top of the mayfly and caddis hatches, May is the start of the infamous salmonfly hatch in the Yellowstone Region. As rivers begin to drop and clear, the salmonfly nymphs migrate to the banks and hatch into adults. This hatch is one of the most anticipated hatches of the year, and many anglers descend on the rivers known for early-season salmonfly hatches. Despite the spotty fishing that the salmonflies provide, it is a spectacle worth witnessing.
Stillwater Fishing Turns On
Many of the lakes in the Yellowstone Region are open and ice-free by May. They offer excellent fishing above and below the surface in the spring months. Fishing the lakes is a good way to find some solitude and have a chance at some larger-than-average fish. May is historically one of my favorite months to hit the region’s stillwaters, and I look forward to it every year.
High Water Streamer Fishing
May brings spring runoff and high water. While many anglers avoid rivers during this time, some look forward to it for the streamer fishing. The high rivers push trout to the bank, and they are more likely to make a mistake in the dirty water. Fishing big streamers near the banks can result in some of the biggest fish of the season, and May is a terrific month to do it. Those who hunt the big ones look forward to the May streamer fishing.
The Start Of The Fishing Season
With all this said, we really look forward to May because it marks the unofficial start of the fishing season in the Yellowstone Region. Rivers open up to fishing, fly shops extend their hours, gates unlock on forest service roads, and trout bums make their way back to the region.
For fishermen and women, you feel an excitement in the air. May is a special month to fish the Yellowstone region, and it is the month we dream about all winter long. Get out there and enjoy May fishing.
Thanks for reading The Curious Angler blog,
Nick
