Nez Perce Creek is near some of Yellowstone National Park's most famous trout streams. In fact, the Nez Perce flows into the world-famous Firehole River, which swarms with anglers.
But Nez Perce Creek rarely sees many anglers, even though the best fishing section is an easy two-mile hike from the Madison-Old Faithful Highway.
Anglers that brave this easy stroll through scenic alpine wilderness will see small thermal features - mostly hot springs gurgling with boiling water.
And anglers will also eventually see a small, lush meadow stream - usually 15 to 25 feet wide, with fishy, undercut banks and glassy flows.
The wild brown and rainbow trout in Nez Perce Creek average about 10 inches long, but bigger fish - up to 18 inches long - lurk in the deeper slots and along undercut banks.
Nez Perce Fishing
Nez Perce Creek opens for the season on June 15 and closes on the first Sunday in November.
The creek is usually in great shape at the opener, and anglers can expect to find blue wing olive and pale morning dun mayflies hatching in the late mornings. Caddis flies also hatch during this time.
Rainy days are great, as the insects hatch - and trout rise - for hours.
The creek is special from July through October, as the meadows swarm with grasshoppers, ants and beetles, and those bugs tumble into the creek.
Smart anglers sneak upstream, casting their hopper, ant and beetle patterns to trout that rocket out of the undercut banks or weedbeds to hammer a fly.
Finding the Trail
Nez Perce Creek flows into the Firehole River at the Nez Perce Picnic Area, which is located on the Madison-Old Faithful Highway.
But the best fishing spots are upstream from the Mary Mountain Trailhead, which is a turnout on the Madison-Old Faithful Highway. The trailhead is 6.5 miles south of Madison Junction. The trailhead also is a short distance from the Nez Perce Creek Bridge.
Nez Perce Hiking
The first mile of the hike is away from the stream, and most of the small thermal features bubble away in this section of trail.
Hikers should stay away from thermal features, as the ground can crumble and sink a leg into boiling water.
After a mile or so, Nez Perce Creek appears, and this water holds some good trout. However, the best fishing begins another mile up the trail, where hikers and anglers must ford the creek. The next three miles offer spectacular fly fishing for beautiful, wild trout.
Angling Tips and Rules
Slowly sneaking along the creek and casting flies upstream is the best way to catch Nez Perce Creek trout.
There are some wooded areas along the creek upstream of the ford - with lots of fallen logs in the water. These logs snag flies, but some big fish lurk here.
Anglers must use single, barbless hooks on artificial lures or flies and release all fish.
Hot Weather, Bison and Bears
During hot summers, Yellowstone National Park may close the creek to fishing in the afternoon hours - or completely for a few weeks.
Hot days combine with boiling water from nearby thermal features to make the creek's water too warm for good fishing. Anglers stay off the water to keep the fishery - and the beautiful trout - healthy.
Nez Perce Creek is bison and grizzly bear country, and the trail is sometimes closed to protect hikers. Anglers and hikers should follow all park rules for bear areas.
Nez Perce Creek is a short, beautiful trip away from Yellowstone's crowds and roads - and into an unspoiled wilderness with great fly fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout.
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