Refuge waters support a wild population of Snake River cutthroat trout .  These fish are a unique variety of cutthroat species and are the only trout native to the area. Small numbers of brook and rainbow trout are also present. The refuge promotes quality angling for wild fish. Many anglers practice catch and release.

Fishing is permitted on the National Elk Refuge in conformance with laws and regulations of the State of Wyoming and subject to the regulations of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Carefully regulated fishing is allowed within the refuge.

Licenses
No special refuge permit is required for anglers. However, special use permits are required for outfitters and guides. A State of Wyoming fishing license and conservation stamp are required for resident and non-resident annual license holders, but holders of daily fishing licenses do not need conservation stamps. Fishing licenses can be obtained at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center at 532 N. Cache Street in Jackson. Refer to the annual Wyoming Fishing Regulations for specific state requirements.

Open Waters & Access
The Gros Ventre River along the north boundary of the refuge is open to fishing from May 21 through October 31. The Gros Ventre River has access to the south from the Gros Ventre (Kelly) road within Grand Teton National Park .

Upper Flat Creek northeast of McBride Bridge and east toward the Bridger-Teton National Forest is open to fishing from May 21 through October 31. Upper Flat Creek access is at McBride (Flat Creek) Bridge and along Flat Creek road northeast of McBride Bridge.  Parking is allowed along Flat Creek road northeast of the bridge so as not to block the road or other refuge roads. Off-road driving is prohibited.

Lower Flat Creek between the "Old Crawford Bridge" site and the McBride Bridge is open to fishing from August 1 through October 31.  Signs indicate the boundaries. Lower Flat Creek and Nowlin Creek have two public access points: (1) at a gate through the refuge fence, 2.7 miles north of Jackson at a Highway 26/89/191 turnout, and (2) at a gate through the refuge fence at the entrance to the Jackson National Fish Hatchery (3.2 miles north of Jackson ). Fishing access to refuge waters is limited to daylight hours only. Night fishing is not allowed.

Nowlin Creek from its mouth at Flat Creek to the Closed Area boundary signs 1/4 mile upstream is open to fishing from August 1 through October 31.

North "Elk Park" Pond is open to youth 13 and younger year-around.

Closed Waters
Closed waters include Flat Creek drainage from the " Old Crawford Bridge " site downstream to the refuge boundary fence, and Nowlin Creek from a point 1/4 mile upstream to and including Nowlin Ponds are closed to fishing.  All refuge ponds with the exception of the North " Elk Park " Pond are closed to fishing.

Regulations

• Refer to current Wyoming Fishing Regulations for fish harvest, possession limits, creel limits, legal tackle, bait and other specific regulations.  
• The use or possession of live fish for bait is prohibited in all refuge waters. Other types of live bait (worms, grasshoppers, etc.) are permitted on Upper Flat Creek, the Gros Ventre River, and North " Elk Park " Pond.  Angling on Lower Flat Creek and Nowlin Creek is limited to the use of artificial flies only.
• Boats or other floating devices, overnight camping, pets and fires are prohibited.  Except for designated access trails, persons fishing are confined to the immediate vicinity of the open stream. 
• All other refuge areas are closed.

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