Plan Your Own Kayak Fishing Trip to Yellowstone

Go catch fish like this one at Yellowstone National Park. It takes a kayak to get there.

Getting there: The quickest way to Lewis Lake is flying into Jackson Hole south of Yellowstone National Park. Many major airlines serve Jackson including Delta, Frontier and United. You can get a shuttle into town or rent a car. For more on travel and accommodations in Jackson, go to www.jacksonholetraveler.com.

Permits: You will need to get a fly fishing license and reserve a campsite on Shoshone Lake. Fishing licenses can be obtained at the Flagg Ranch entrance station on the way in.

You will need a backcountry campsite reservation to camp on Shoshone Lake. These sites can be reserved in advance by mail or in person, although in October there generally are campsites available. Go to www.nps.gov/yell/home.htm for information on camping and Yellowstone in general.

Kayak Rentals/Outfitters: Snake River Kayak and Canoe offers fully guided and outfitted trips to the Lewis Lake channel every year. They have all the gear you will need, as well as the fly fishing expertise to help you land a monster brown trout. Contact them at (800) 529-2501; www.snakeriverkayak.com.

Weather: Generally the first few weeks in October is the best time for fishing. Ideally after a cold snap but before the snow starts to accumulate. Plan on a winter camping trip.