For anglers across the mountain communities and beyond, there is exciting news coming out of Yosemite National Park: fishing in Yosemite Valley is now officially a year-round opportunity.

In an announcement made Tuesday, Yosemite National Park said it is removing the seasonal closures that previously limited winter fishing access, bringing regulations more in line with statewide California fishing rules and opening new possibilities for those who dream of casting a line beneath granite cliffs in every season.

For generations of anglers, Yosemite fishing often came with a calendar deadline. Traditionally, stream and river fishing seasons in much of the park ended in mid-November and reopened in late April. That offseason has now changed, meaning fishing enthusiasts can enjoy Yosemite Valley waters throughout the year.

“This is the kind of update that will get anglers excited,” Yosemite National Park Superintendent Ray McPadden said in the park announcement.

“These updates expand recreational opportunities while maintaining our responsibility to protect Yosemite’s natural resources,” McPadden said. “Visitors can now enjoy fishing throughout the year, including in areas like Hetch Hetchy, with regulations that are easier to understand and more consistent with state guidelines.”

For local anglers in communities like Oakhurst, Bass Lake, North Fork, and Mariposa, the change opens up the possibility of spontaneous winter fishing days in one of the most scenic settings in the country. Imagine crisp mornings along the Merced, fewer crowds, snow-dusted granite walls, and the chance to chase trout in peaceful solitude.

The park highlighted the Hetch Hetchy region as another appealing option, offering a more remote experience with relatively easy access compared to deeper backcountry locations. Visitors are reminded to use caution around rocky shorelines and to plan ahead due to limited parking.

But before anglers grab the tackle box and race for the park gate, there are still important regulations to know.

Conservation protections remain firmly in place for native fish species. In Yosemite Valley, the South Fork Merced River, and the Tuolumne River and tributary streams, anglers must use artificial lures with barbless hooks. Rainbow trout in Yosemite Valley and the South Fork Merced River are catch-and-release only year-round. Licensing requirements and all applicable California fishing regulations still apply. Anglers age 16 and older must carry a valid California fishing license.

In other words: yes, the season just got bigger — but fishing responsibly still matters.

For many Sierra anglers, this may be the perfect excuse to dust off the rod, tie on a favorite fly, and start imagining Yosemite not just as a summer fishing destination, but a four-season one.