North Fork Shoshone River Fishing
Shared Trip
River Fishing
Target trophy rainbows and cutthroat trout up to 22 inchesFish 50 miles of pristine water near Yellowstone's boundaryIntimate twoguest trips with expert Wyoming Trout Guides
Just outside Yellowstone's eastern gate, the North Fork Shoshone River offers some of Wyoming's most consistent trout fishing. This isn't your typical crowded tourist stream – it's a working river where lake-run rainbows, native cutthroat, and hefty browns make their home. Starting from the park boundary and flowing 50 miles to Buffalo Bill Reservoir, this waterway gives you the best of both worlds: wild Yellowstone genetics and the size that comes from fish fattening up in deep reservoir water. You'll be fishing alongside Highway 14-16-20 for the first 30 miles, then dropping into more secluded private water for the final stretch. With Wyoming Trout Guides, you're getting access to the spots that produce consistently, plus a hot lunch to keep you fueled for a full day on the water.
The North Fork runs clear and cold, fed by snowmelt and springs from the Absaroka Mountains. You'll be working different water types throughout the day – from boulder-studded runs near Pahaska Teepee to deeper pools and undercut banks as you move downstream. The river follows a gradient that creates perfect pocket water, with trout holding in the slower water behind rocks and in the foam lines where the current breaks. Early morning means working the shallows where fish come up to feed, while midday fishing often focuses on the deeper runs where bigger fish wait out the bright sun. Your guide knows every bend, every productive riffle, and exactly where the lake-run fish stage up before making their spawning runs. This is intimate water – just you and one other angler maximum, so you're never fighting crowds or waiting for your turn at the good spots.
The North Fork responds well to both nymphing and dry fly fishing, depending on season and conditions. Your guide will likely start you with a double nymph rig – a heavy stone fly pattern like a Pat's Rubber Legs or Copper John, with a smaller mayfly or caddis dropper trailing behind. The key here is getting down to where the fish are holding in those deeper runs. When the water warms up and bugs start moving, you'll switch to dries – Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams, and local patterns that match whatever's coming off the water. Streamer fishing can be deadly here too, especially for the bigger browns that cruise the undercuts looking for smaller fish. Your guide will provide all the gear, but if you're bringing your own rod, a 9-foot 5-weight is perfect for this water. The current isn't too heavy, but you need enough backbone to turn a 20-inch rainbow away from the rocks. Waders are essential – the best fishing happens when you can get into position for a perfect drift, and that means getting wet.
The North Fork's rainbow trout are the real stars of this show, running anywhere from 12 to 22 inches and built like footballs from their time in Buffalo Bill Reservoir. These aren't your typical stream rainbows – they're thick, powerful fish that will test your drag system and your nerves. The cutthroat here are pure Yellowstone strain, with those distinctive red slashes and the kind of wild genetics you just can't find in stocked waters. They're typically in the 14 to 18-inch range, but what they lack in size they make up for in fight and beauty. The brown trout tend to be the most challenging to catch, hiding in the deeper holes and undercuts during the day, but when you hook one, you know it immediately. They're the bulldogs of the North Fork, often running 16 to 20 inches and occasionally pushing even bigger. Brook trout are less common but absolutely gorgeous when you find them, usually in the smaller tributaries and spring creeks that feed the main river. Mountain whitefish might not be the most glamorous catch, but they're native to these waters and often indicate a healthy ecosystem – plus they can be surprisingly strong fighters on light tackle.
Rainbow trout dominate the North Fork, and for good reason. These fish spend part of their lives in Buffalo Bill Reservoir, feeding on abundant forage and growing thick and strong before making their way upstream. Spring and fall see the biggest runs, when these lake-run rainbows push into the river for spawning. They're aggressive feeders and will hit both nymphs and dry flies with confidence. The fight is what sets them apart – long runs, aerial displays, and the kind of head-shaking that can throw a hook if you're not careful. Peak season runs from April through June and again in September and October.
Yellowstone cutthroat trout are the natives here, and catching one connects you directly to the wild heart of this ecosystem. These fish have been in these waters since the last ice age, perfectly adapted to the conditions. They're opportunistic feeders, often easier to catch than the browns but with a wariness that comes from thousands of years of natural selection. Summer is prime time for cutthroat, especially during the evening hatches when they'll rise confidently to dry flies. Their coloration is stunning – gold sides with those signature red slashes that give them their name.
Brown trout are the ghosts of the North Fork, often the hardest to catch but the most rewarding when you do. These fish are ambush predators, tucking into undercut banks and deep pools, waiting for the perfect meal to drift by. They're most active during low-light conditions – early morning, late evening, and overcast days. Streamers worked along the banks can trigger explosive strikes, and a hooked brown will often make long, powerful runs toward any available cover. Fall is prime brown trout season, when they become more aggressive as spawning approaches.
Brook trout in the North Fork system are like finding hidden gems. They prefer the colder, more oxygenated water of the smaller tributaries and spring cre
The AIRE Super Puma 13' raft redefines what you'd expect from a compact river craft on Wyoming's legendary North Fork Shoshone. This isn't your typical bulky raft – it's built like a drift boat's nimble cousin, cutting through currents with surprising precision and speed. The narrow profile lets you slip into those prime fishing pockets where the big lake-run rainbows and native Yellowstone cutthroat like to hold. With its specialized fishing frame, you've got stable casting platforms and gear storage that keeps your fly boxes and nets within easy reach. The grippy hull design means confident maneuvers around boulders and through tight spots where those 18-22" trout are waiting. Perfect for two anglers working these productive waters that flow from Yellowstone's boundary down to Buffalo Bill Reservoir, giving you the agility to hit both the accessible roadside runs and the more secluded stretches where the fish see fewer flies.
Salvelinus FontinalisBrook trout in the North Fork are a rare treat - small but absolutely gorgeous fish with those distinctive white-edged fins and colorful spots. Most are 8-12 inches, but what they lack in size they make up for in beauty and spirit. They stick to the coldest, cleanest water, usually in the smaller tributaries and spring-fed areas where temperatures stay below 65°F. Fall is peak time when their spawning colors really pop, but they bite consistently in cooler weather. Guests love them for their stunning looks - no other trout comes close to their coloration. They're also excellent eating despite their size. Fish small streams with short, accurate casts using tiny flies. A #14-16 royal wulff or small nymph works great, but keep your approach quiet - they're easily spooked in those shallow creeks.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns in the North Fork are trickier than the rainbows but worth the effort. Most run 12-18 inches, though we occasionally see fish pushing 20+. They're the wariest trout we have, preferring deep undercuts, fallen logs, and overhanging banks where they can ambush prey. Fall is prime time when they get aggressive before spawning, but early mornings and evenings produce year-round. Guests love the challenge - browns test your stealth and presentation skills more than any other trout. They're also the best eating fish in the river. Here's the key: approach from downstream and keep your first cast count. These fish spook easily, and you rarely get a second chance at the same spot. Focus on the darker, deeper water.
Oncorhynchus ClarkiiOur native Yellowstone cutthroats are something special - you can spot them by those distinctive red slashes under their jaws. In the North Fork, they typically run 12-16 inches and are much more willing to take a fly than browns. They love the cleaner, well-oxygenated water near riffles and drop-offs, often holding along structure like boulders and log jams. Early summer through fall gives you the best shots, especially during terrestrial season when they're looking up for grasshoppers and ants. Anglers enjoy them because they're native to these waters and fight with that classic trout determination. They're also great table fare. Try an elk hair caddis or parachute adams in the evening - cutthroats are suckers for a good dry fly presentation when they're feeding on the surface.
Prosopium WilliamsoniDon't overlook these native fighters - whitefish are actually pretty fun on light tackle. They typically run 10-14 inches in the North Fork and are surprisingly strong for their size. You'll find them in the deeper runs and pools, especially where the current slows down, feeding on bottom insects with those pointed snouts. Winter through early spring is when they're most active, but we catch them year-round. Guests are often surprised by how hard they pull and how good they taste - firm, white meat that's excellent smoked or fried. The secret is fishing small nymphs right on the bottom. Use a #16 or #18 caddis or midge pattern with some weight to get it down. Their mouths are small, so keep your hooks sharp and set gently.
Oncorhynchus MykissThese lake-run rainbows from Buffalo Bill Reservoir typically run 10-22 inches and put up a solid fight with their signature jumps. You'll find them throughout the North Fork, but they tend to hold in deeper pools and runs during summer heat, moving shallow during cooler morning and evening feeding periods. Spring through fall offers the best action, with late spring being prime when they're aggressive after ice-out. What makes them special is that acrobatic fight - they'll leap clear out of the water multiple times. Plus, they're excellent eating with that pink flesh. Pro tip: focus on the deeper pools where the current breaks - these reservoir fish are used to open water and often hold in the transition zones between fast and slow water.
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