Slough Creek Overview

Located in the Northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park, Slough Creek is a major tributary to the Lamar. Mostly a meadow stream, Slough Creek has become famous for large Cutthroat in crystal clear water. Much of Slough requires lengthy hikes to reach its upper meadow water, but we concentrate on the lower meadows that are easily reached and can provide some fantastic fishing.

Sections

The Lower Slough

Slough Creek winds and twists through a sage covered meadow as it makes it way to the Lamar. Long slow glides and runs are the hallmark of this water, and the angler stalks slowly along the banks looking for a Native Yellowstone Cutthroat finning quietly along the undercuts, at the base of small riffles, or cruising the slow pools. Good hatches keep the fish pinned towards the surface, always looking for a tasty morsel to pass their way. Long casts are sometime required, but more often a stealthy approach will get the angler within an easy presentation to a feeding Cutthroat. Slough is fantastic sight fishing, allowing the angler to watch the whole process from inspection to take.

Hatches

Green Drakes: July 1st - July 20th

Drake Mackerals: August 20th - September 30th

Gray Drakes: June 20th - July 15th

Hydropsyche Caddis: June 20th - July 20th

Terrestrials: June 20th - September 30th

Pale Morning Duns: July 1st - July 31st

Midges: August 1st - September 15th

Baetis Mayflies: August 20th - September 30th

Special Notes

A long day can be made of a trip to the first meadow of Slough Creek. This two-mile hike is a rather steep elevation gain, but leads to a beautiful two-mile meadow that is loaded with hungry Cutthroat. Similar to all the rivers in the northeast corner of Yellowstone, this is bear country!

River Overviews: 

Madison River  |  Henry's Fork  |  Snake River  |  Gallatin River  |  Yellowstone River  |  Firehole River  | Hebgen Lake  |  Gibbon River  |  Lamar River  |  Gardiner River  |  Slough Creek  |  Ruby River  |  Soda Butte Creek