Lamar River Facts

Location:

The Lamar River is born high in the Absaroka Mountain Range in the northeast section of the park.  The Lamar flows for only 45 miles before joining the Yellowstone River near Tower Junction.  It tumbles down the Absaroka Mountains for about 25 miles before entering the Lamar Valley, one of the more scenic and peaceful areas of Yellowstone.  Cache Creek marks the beginning of the valley. 

Access to the lower Lamar is easy, as the loop road parallels the river for several miles.  Trails provide good access to the upper river.

Features:

The Lamar River flows high and fast during runoff.  In normal years, the river begins to clear enough for dry fly fishing by mid-July, but it can take longer.  Once the water drops, the Lamar is very easy to wade, especially in the valley section.  Trout in this section average between 12-18 inches and consists mainly of cutthroats with a few rainbows in the mix.  The upper river holds cutthroats up to 12 inches. 

The valley section of the Lamar receives a large amount of fishing pressure due to larger fish and easy access.  To avoid the crowds, fish the upper river.  Be ready to deal with strong winds on the Lamar River.  Summer thunderstorms that produce lots of rain can muddy the Lamar for days, so be flexible with your plans. 

Seasonal Strategies:

The Lamar really shines in August and September.  The hatches on the Lamar are spotty and irregular.  Stonefly and Golden Stones show up in July, but more often than not the runoff prevents fishing this hatch.  Caddis and PMDs are your best bet for summer hatch action. 

Baetis hatch in the late summer and into the fall.  Green Drakes in late August or September provide the best mayfly action.  Terrestrial patterns such as hoppers, beetles and ants are hot during the summer and early fall.  Large, high-floating attractors will work any day of the season. 

Special Regulations:

Cutthroat and cutthroat hybrids in the Lamar and its tributaries are catch and release only. Check the Yellowstone fishing regulations for more information regarding the Lamar River. 

Access:

The Lamar River runs 45 miles from its source to the Yellowstone River.  The Tower-Cooke City road provides access to the lower Lamar.  Access to the valley section of the Lamar involves a hike through a vast meadow.  The upper river is accessible via a trail that begins at the Soda Butte Creek footbridge.

Special Cautions:

The bison in the more remote sections of the park are decidedly more wild than those that live in highly-trafficked areas.  Please keep you distance.  Yellowstone National Park is also bear country.  Observe all the usual precautions when hiking and camping.