Gibbon River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gibbon River
Bison grazing near the Gibbon River in Yellowstone National Park
Country	United States
State	Wyoming
County	Teton County
Region	Yellowstone National Park
Physical characteristics
Main source	6,795 feet (2,071 m) 44°45′10″N 110°33′57″W / 44.75278°N 110.56583°W / 44.75278; -110.56583 (Gibbon River)
River mouth	44°38′32″N 110°51′56″W / 44.64222°N 110.86556°W / 44.64222; -110.86556 (Gibbon river)
Length	~25 miles (40 km)
Basin features
River system	Missouri River
Basin size	126 square miles (330 km2)

The Gibbon River flows east of the Continental Divide in Yellowstone National Park, in northwestern Wyoming, the Northwestern United States. Along with the Firehole River, it is a major tributary of the Madison River, which itself is a tributary of the Missouri River.

Description

The Gibbon River rises in the center of the park at Grebe Lake. It flows for a short distance into Wolf Lake. Below Wolf Lake, the river flows through Virginia Cascades into the Norris valley. It flows near the Norris Geyser Basin and through the Gibbon Geyser Basin. From there it flows through the Gibbon River Canyon to its confluence with the Firehole River to form the Madison River. Early maps listed the river as Gibbons Fork or the East Fork of the Madison River. The river between Norris and Madison Junction is paralleled by the Grand Loop Road. The river, along with Gibbon Falls, is named for Colonel John Gibbon, U.S. Army who participated in the 1872 Hayden Geological Survey of Yellowstone.

Angling

The Gibbon River is a popular trout fishing destination. The upper section of river has very difficult access being choked with thick forests and much downed timber. The fish, consisting of brook trout, rainbow trout and grayling, are all on the small side, rarely exceeding 10 inches (250 mm). Below Gibbon Falls access is excellent and the river has a healthy mix of rainbow and brown trout. The lower river receives a good run of spawning browns in the fall.

The Gibbon River is fly fishing only and catch and release below Gibbon Falls. Above the falls, any grayling or cutthroat trout caught must be released. An unlimited number of brook, rainbow or brown trout may be harvested daily in the waters above the falls.

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