SALT LAKE CITY, Utah— Fees for fishing and boating permits in Yellowstone National Park have increased. Anglers will be able to purchase fishing permits online via Recreation.gov for the upcoming season in addition to in-park stores and surrounding communities beginning this spring.
Fishing permit details:
- The new online system will enable anglers to plan ahead and have their fishing permits before arrival to the park.
- The new fees were determined by taking the average of resident and non-resident fishing permit fees from Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. The Recreation.gov fee is also included.
- The cost of a fishing permit has not changed since 2012.
Boating permit details:
- Boaters can obtain a permit and aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspection ONLY in-person at various locations in the park. Permits are not available online.
- The new fees are comparable to those of state and other national park permits.
- In addition, the permit fee will include an AIS fee for inspections.
- The cost of a boating permit has not changed since 1993.
- The number of boats on Yellowstone Lake increased by nearly 10% in 2020.According to a press release, the resulting increase in revenue from the fee increases will guarantee funding and provide a sustained revenue source that will contribute to continued efforts to reduce nonnative lake trout and increase the park’s aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspection capacity.
Last year, the park identified major financial shortfalls in its ability to prevent and reduce AIS affecting fisheries across the park, especially in Yellowstone Lake. Efforts to protect and recover native fish and restore the Yellowstone Lake ecosystem costs the park nearly $3 million annually. Scientists estimate another five years of sustained effort is needed at that investment level to achieve the park’s goals of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout restoration and AIS prevention, early detection and eradication, the release stated.
