Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
The Lewis and Clark expedition, and later, fur traders avoided the Bighorn River at all costs, for the narrow channel, high canyon walls, and sharp rocks were treacherous. With the construction of the Yellowtail Dam in the 1960s, however, the water levels in the canyon rose above most rocky obstacles and created new access points along the shore of the now-tamed river. The fishing here—for smallmouth bass, rainbow and brown trout, walleye, yellow perch, and more—is excellent above the dam. Below the dam, the cold, clear water exiting the hydropower facility has created a world-class trout fishery. Many visitors never wet a line, opting instead to simply rest on the water and enjoy the calm winds and pleasant views.
Fluctuating reservoir levels, caused by extended drought and light mountain snowpack, can periodically shut down the lake’s marinas and boat launches. Because canyon walls create sharp turns and bottlenecks in the lake, there are some boating speed limits. All the marinas on Bighorn Lake operate during the peak summer season and are closed in the fall, winter, and early spring.
