Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake is the second largest fresh water lake in the world that is above 7,000 ft. It encompasses 136 square miles, with 20 mile stretches of open water. Its 110 miles of shoreline provide access to some of the most beautiful wilderness in the park. There are only two backcountry trails near its shores, the Thorofare Trail along the east shore and the Trail Creek Trail which connects the Thorofare and Heart Lake Trails south of the South and Southeast Arms. Power boats can be launched from ramps at Bridge Bay and Grant Village. If the water is calm, boaters can reach the arms in a relatively short time. In keeping with the serene and wild nature of the arms, boaters must reduce their speed to a maximum of 5 miles per hour once they enter the South and Southeast arms. Additionally, the last 2 miles of the South, Southeast and Flat Mountain arms are restricted to hand- propelled craft only. Canoeing and kayaking on Yellowstone Lake is a memorable experience, but it is not without its dangers. The ice cover on Yellowstone Lake normally does not break up until late May or early June. The water temperature even in the summer, is typically 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Almost daily, sudden winds can create waves as high as 4 to 5 feet. These waves are choppy and very close together making it especially hazardous for small boats. Most commonly the winds are out of the southwest but at high altitudes and in thunder storms, the winds can shift at any time. See the Boating in Yellowstone article for more information. Bears are frequent visitors along the lake and its 100+ tributaries. Three Bear management areas have closures and restrictions on travel in effect until July 15. See pages 2 and 3 for details. Yellowstone Lake is the home of the premier surviving inland cutthroat trout fishery in North America. To protect this exceptional fishery, the National Park Service has established special regulations. See the park's fishing regulations and the article on page 5 for further information.