Yellowstone Creek

Generated artwork: BlueStreamFly · Regional illustration; not the exact location.

Should I go fishing?

Go with caution.

Flow is high for this time of year.

Best option: Floating. A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.

Check first: Water temperature is unconfirmed. Use a stream thermometer before fishing.

Rating updatedRiver local time: Sep 12, 2026, 2:51 AM MDT

Why this recommendation?

USGS shows 104 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1997-2025, 29 readings) show a median near 57 cfs and the upper quartile near 84 cfs; today's flow is high for the date. Fishable water may exist, but do not rate it highly without a safe access, clarity, and wading or boat plan.

Available live dataHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.

Confidence in this recommendationMediumWater temperature not verified; do not use this score to clear warm-water risk.

Usually checks again about every 45 minutes

If you go

Check first: Use the USGS Bridge Campground gauge for broad drainage trend, but scout the actual creek before committing to a wade.
Try: Start with a small attractor dry and a light dropper so you can cover pocket water without constant rig changes.
Leave when: Skip Yellowstone Creek when forest roads are muddy or closed, when lightning or runoff makes a high-country day unsafe, when downstream gauges show a sharp runoff pulse, or when low warm water would make trout handling poor.

Flow and weather

Showing server-checked river conditions while current readings refresh.

Flow: 102 cfs; Stable over about 6 hoursU.S. Geological Survey may revise this reading
Air forecast: 46°F
Next 24h high: 71.0°F
NWS air forecast near Sep 12, 2026, 3:00 PM MDT
Rain chance: 0%

This is an air forecast, not a river-temperature reading. Check the water with a stream thermometer before fishing in hot weather.

7-day U.S. Geological Survey chart

Recent flow

Discharge

139 cfs102 cfs

Sep 5Sep 12

Latest reading: 102 cfs. Stable over about 6 hours. Chart covers Sep 5 through Sep 12; readings are provisional and may be revised.

Latest stored weather check

Mostly Clear

Wind: 5 mph
Weather checked: Sep 12, 2026, 2:00 AM MDT

More forecast and source details

Mostly Clear

National Weather Service

Yellowstone Creek headwater area in Duchesne County, Utah

The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.

Live data

Where these readings come from

Current U.S. Geological Survey gauge: Yellowstone River at Bridge Campground downstream context

Stable over about 6 hoursU.S. Geological Survey may revise this readingObserved Sep 12, 2026, 1:15 AM MDT

Official U.S. Geological Survey station Opens in a new tab.Official NWS forecast Opens in a new tab.

These values are from the latest server-checked river data. JavaScript can refresh them with newer readings. Use the official links below for the newest readings before you fish.

Flies for this time of year

Seasonal starting points, not a live hatch report. Match what you see on the water.

See flies for every season

SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try

Late April to May

What to look forMidges, BWOs, early caddis, and short pre-runoff nymph windows

Flies to try

Zebra MidgeBWO emergerBlue-Winged Olive Patterns pheasant tailPheasant Tail Nymph hare's earGold-Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph caddis pupaCaddis Pupa Patterns

June to early July

What to look forRunoff edges, golden stones, caddis, PMDs, and attractor dry-dropper windows

Flies to try

Golden stone nymphGolden Stonefly Patterns Elk Hair CaddisPMD emergerPale Morning Dun Patterns StimulatorperdigonPerdigon Nymph

Mid-July to SeptemberThis season

What to look forCaddis, small mayflies, ants, beetles, hoppers, and evening spinner falls

Flies to try

Parachute AdamsX-Caddisfoam antAnt Patterns beetleBeetle Patterns small hopperGrasshopper Patterns

Also try rusty spinner

October to early winter

What to look forBWOs, midges, small streamers, and slower cold-water nymphing

Flies to try

BWO emergerBlue-Winged Olive Patterns midge pupaMidge Patterns by Stage soft hackleSoft-Hackle Wet Flies small olive buggerWoolly Bugger jig nymphJig Fly Patterns

Each fly name opens its matching Fly Box guide.

More fishing tips

Methods, fish species and trip notes

How to fish Yellowstone Creek today.

The best window is usually after dangerous runoff drops and before late-summer heat or drought makes trout handling questionable. Stable flows, cool nights, and afternoon insect activity are the best signs. Skip the creek during high water, muddy road conditions, lightning risk, or warm low-flow afternoons.

Stable cool flow

Best all-around window for dry-droppers, light nymphs, and careful pocket-water fishing.

Runoff or storm bump

Watch the downstream gauge trend, but make the creek decision on clarity, depth, and road safety.

Low clear summer water

Use longer leaders, smaller dries, stealth, and morning sessions. Stop if the water warms.

Cold shoulder seasons

Fish slower nymphs and midges during the warmest part of the day, and expect a short bite window.

Wading, bank fishing or floating?

Best access methodFloating

These scores compare the risks of wading, bank fishing, and floating.

Wading42/100

Wading is the most sensitive plan today. Use protected edges only, avoid crossings, and downgrade quickly if clarity or current feels wrong.

Bank fishingNot recommended

This report does not recommend bank fishing on this reach.

Floating · Best fit66/100

A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.

Full river report

Is Yellowstone Creek worth the trip today? Check flow, weather, hatches, access, and rules for Utah before you go.

Yellowstone Creek is a Utah stream in Duchesne County, not the Vermont coordinate that came through in the seed data. There is no verified public live gauge on the creek itself, so this page uses the nearby Yellowstone River at Bridge Campground gauge as drainage context and keeps the fishing advice practical rather than overstated.

Fishing words used on this page

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge: A USGS gauge is an official river station that measures flow or water height.
Cubic feet per second (cfs): Cubic feet per second, or cfs, shows how much water passes the gauge each second.
Nymph: A nymph is a young water insect. Anglers also use the word for a fly that copies it.
Attractor fly: An attractor fly is bright or bold. It draws a strike without copying one exact insect.
Blue-winged olive (BWO): Blue-winged olives, or BWOs, are small mayflies that often hatch in cool or cloudy weather.
Caddis: Caddis are small water insects. The adults look a little like tiny moths.
Dry-dropper: A dry-dropper rig has a floating fly with an underwater fly tied below it.
Emerger: An emerger copies an insect as it rises from below the water toward the surface.
Jig nymph: A jig nymph is a weighted underwater fly made to ride with its hook point up.
Midge: Midges are tiny flies and a common trout food, especially in cold water.

Why this call

Why this score

FlowUse caution

Best mode nowUse caution

Float: A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.

SeasonHelps

Late summer: Terrestrials and small dries can work, but drought, low flow, and warm water can shut it down.

WeatherHelps

The current NWS air forecast is about 46F, and the next 24-hour high reaches about 71F. Mostly Clear.

Public alertsHelps

No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.

Trip notes

Check these before you choose a reach.

Best flows

There is no verified public live gauge on the creek itself. Use USGS 09292000 at Bridge Campground and USGS 09292500 near Altonah as drainage context, then make the final call from actual creek depth, clarity, and temperature.

When to leave

Skip Yellowstone Creek when forest roads are muddy or closed, when lightning or runoff makes a high-country day unsafe, when downstream gauges show a sharp runoff pulse, or when low warm water would make trout handling poor.

Local plan

Build the day around scouting one reachable public section, checking the Fish Utah map, and using Ashley National Forest road and campground context before committing. Keep the fly box simple and make water temperature part of every decision.

Backup water

If Yellowstone Creek is not ready, compare the Duchesne for a larger nearby freestone, the Green for a high-confidence tailwater day, or the Weber when a different Utah trout river fits the weather better.

Yellowstone Creek access and rules.

Use these places as starting points. Open the access link below and check posted signs before you park or enter.

Before you go

Check the current Utah DWR fishing guidebook and Fish Utah before fishing Yellowstone Creek or nearby water. Rules, species rules, closures, and access details can vary by reach and year.

Where to access the river

Burnt Mill Spring quadrangle context

Use the corrected Utah GNIS location as the map anchor for Yellowstone Creek in Duchesne County.

Bridge Campground and Yellowstone River road area

Ashley National Forest lists Bridge Campground on the Yellowstone River area. Use it as a practical nearby access and flow-context area.

South Slope Western Uinta Mountains

Forest Service south-slope recreation pages are the starting point for road, campground, and public-land planning.

Fish Utah reach check

Use the DWR map before fishing to confirm public access, water identity, stocking or species notes, and current rule context.

Do not assume every bridge, meadow, or two-track is public. Confirm land status and posted boundaries before parking or crossing.
Forest roads can be rough, snow-covered, muddy, or closed well after low-elevation spring weather improves.
The downstream USGS gauge is useful for trend, but side creeks can fish differently after local rain or snowmelt.
Pack out line, tippet, and trash. Small high-country creeks do not absorb pressure well.

If this water does not fit the day, check another report before you start the drive.

UtahDuchesne River fishing reportA nearby Uinta drainage option with more established access and flow planning.

UtahGreen River fishing reportA very different Utah trout trip with big tailwater water, boats, and clearer public planning.

UtahWeber River fishing reportAnother Utah trout river to compare when the high-country creek plan is too warm, high, or remote.

See all Utah fly fishing reports

Sources and report details

Official agencies and primary river operators come first. Secondary tools are labeled so you know what carries the most weight.

Rules and closures

Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.

Fishing rulesOfficial agencyUtah Division of Wildlife Resources fishingwildlife.utah.gov (opens in a new tab)

Flow and weather

Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.

SafetyOfficial agencyNational Weather Service forecast point for Yellowstone Creekforecast.weather.gov (opens in a new tab)

Access and land

Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.

Public accessOfficial agencyAshley National Forest Bridge Campgroundfs.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)

Rules and closures

Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.

Fishing rulesOfficial agencyUtah Division of Wildlife Resources fishingwildlife.utah.gov (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.

Fishing rulesOfficial agencyUtah hunting and fishing guidebookswildlife.utah.gov (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.

Flow and weather

Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.

SafetyOfficial agencyNational Weather Service forecast point for Yellowstone Creekforecast.weather.gov (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open this page and check the latest safety advice before your trip.

River readingOfficial agencyUSGS Yellowstone River at Bridge Campground 09292000waterdata.usgs.gov (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.

River readingOfficial agencyUSGS Yellowstone River near Altonah 09292500waterdata.usgs.gov (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.

Access and land

Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.

Public accessOfficial agencyAshley National Forest Bridge Campgroundfs.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.

Public accessOfficial agencyAshley National Forest South Slope Western Uinta Mountainsfs.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.

Public accessOfficial agencyFish Utah interactive mapdwrapps.utah.gov (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.

Public accessOfficial agencyUtah public waters stream accesswildlife.utah.gov (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.

Quick questions

What should I check before fishing Yellowstone Creek?

Utah DWR guidebook, Fish Utah map, stream-access rules, Ashley National Forest road/campground status, USGS 09292000, NWS weather, and water temperature

Which flow should I use for Yellowstone Creek?

Use USGS 09292000, Yellowstone River at Bridge Campground, as drainage context only. It is not an exact Yellowstone Creek gauge, so confirm creek depth, clarity, and temperature on-site.

Where should I start on Yellowstone Creek?

Start with Fish Utah, Ashley National Forest south-slope recreation pages, and the Bridge Campground area. Then verify land ownership and posted access at the specific pullout or trail you plan to use.

Can I wade Yellowstone Creek?

Often yes in normal small-water conditions, but runoff, storm bumps, slick rocks, and cold water can still make it unsafe. If the creek is pushy or dirty, wait for a better window.

Yellowstone Creek

Go with caution.

If you go