When I first started going to Yellowstone, you did not need to buy a fishing license to fish. The explanation given to me by a ranger was that the park occupies more than one state and the park itself was an entity before those three states (Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho) became states. That seemed to me to be a reasonable explanation at the time. All you had to do was follow the regulations for fishing in the park. That is no longer the case. I brought along a couple of poles and was expecting to use them. Fortunately, I had found out that a license was required before I started fishing. I bought the license and some barbless hooks. Much of the park is now catch and release for certain species, and a hook without a barb is much easier to remove from the fish’s mouth. It also makes it more difficult to land the fish. I like the idea of fishing; catch and release is fine with me. Every other time we fished Yellowstone, we caught fish. Years ago, my wife video taped me and my oldest son catching native cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake in a small motorboat we rented for the day. Not only were the fish biting, but she also got my youngest son who was probably 2 ½, trying to bite his 4-year-old brother. On a small boat, it made for some entertaining moments as the older child tried to avoid his brother’s teeth. Nobody went overboard or got hurt and to this day, my wife thinks the video should be sent to America’s Funniest Home Videos.
On our second night of camping (third day visiting the park) we camped at the Grant Village campground. Yellowstone lake was only a short walk from our campsite. After we set up camp, I walked to the lake and tested the waters. I had no luck.
For some photos from the third day in Yellowstone, click here.