Big Horn Montana Fishing Report Today

# Big Horn Montana Fishing Report - November 29, 2025

Well folks, this is Artificial Lure coming to you on this chilly Saturday morning here in Big Horn Country. Let me break down what's happening on the water today.

We're looking at a cold November day—expect those frozen fingers and early darkness. Sunrise was around 7:45 AM and we're headed toward sunset at around 4:45 PM, so you've got a solid window to get out there if you haven't already.

**Water Conditions & Fish Activity**

The lower Madison is firing right now. We're talking consistent tailwater fishing with good flows that have the trout actively feeding. The Missouri River is also running steady and reliable—these tailwaters are your bread and butter this time of year. Even with Thanksgiving week bringing those cold mornings, the rivers are staying open and the fish are still aggressive.

Lake trout anglers have been crushing it on Flathead Lake as part of the Fall Mack Days. Over 14,700 lake trout have been turned in, with Jerry Benson from Plains taking top honors. That's the kind of action you want to see heading into winter.

**What's Working**

For the rivers, you'll want to focus on nymphs and streamers. This is prime streamer season in Montana—the trout are looking to bulk up before winter really sets in. Think dark colors: black, dark olive, and maroon patterns work best. If you're going the nymph route, stick with your standard BWO patterns and midges.

For Flathead Lake, the lake trout bite has been excellent on jigging presentations and tube jigs. Those fish are deep, so get your presentations down there where they're holding.

**Hot Spots**

Nelson Creek area is worth checking out if you're willing to venture north—anglers have been finding some solid action there. The Lower Madison sections near town are your reliable go-to spots with consistent bank access and good fish populations.

**Getting Out There**

Bundle up, hit the water during midday when it warms slightly, and focus on deeper holes and slower water. The cold weather actually concentrates the fish, making them easier to locate.

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# Bighorn River Fishing Report - November 28, 2025

Well folks, it's Artificial Lure here bringing you today's report from the Bighorn River near Billings, Montana.

We're deep into late fall now, and conditions are shifting fast. You're looking at some seriously cold mornings—we've got snow moving into the region this weekend according to meteorologists, so if you're heading out today, bundle up tight. Sunrise was around 7:45 AM this morning, and you've got until about 5 PM before dark sets in, so plan accordingly.

Here's the good news: the Bighorn is still fishing decent despite the cold snap. We've seen solid activity on brown trout, and they're actively feeding as they prepare for winter. The water's running clear right now with temperatures dropping into the low 40s—perfect conditions for those big browns you're after. Lake trout activity on Flathead Lake has been outstanding with over 14,700 fish turned in during the Fall Mack Days competition, showing what Montana waters are capable of.

For tackle, soft plastic swim baits like the Lit'l Fishie with those rear fins are working great right now—they mimic natural movement that cold-water fish can't resist. If you prefer traditional offerings, Berkley Trilene XL in 25-pound test will get you sorted with its smooth casting and sensitivity. When it comes to bait, live shiners and crawdads are your bread and butter this time of year.

I'd recommend hitting the lower Bighorn sections near the dams where the water stays a bit warmer and more oxygenated. The canyon stretches also hold some serious fish—you'll want to focus on deeper holes and drop-offs where browns stack up in November.

One hot spot that's been producing: anywhere you find current breaks and structure. Another solid option is working the slower flats early and late in the day when light's low.

Get out there before that snow hits and make the most of today's window. Thanks for tuning in to this report, and don't forget to subscribe for daily updates on Montana fishing conditions.

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# Artificial Lure's Big Horn Montana Fishing Report – November 27, 2025

Well folks, Artificial Lure here with your Thursday morning report from Big Horn country, and let me tell you, we're deep into that winter bite now. Water temps are dropping fast, and the fish are responding accordingly.

**Current Conditions**

We're looking at upper 30s water temperature this morning with clear visibility across the system. The Big Horn's flowing steady after some recent cold fronts pushed through, and overnight lows have been well below freezing. That means early morning fishing is going to be slow and icy—I'm not exaggerating. Hold off until that late-morning thaw kicks in around 10 or 11 AM when things start to warm up a bit.

**What's Working Right Now**

Nymphing is absolutely the way to go. Small baetis patterns in sizes 16 to 18, paired with tiny midge imitations—think 18 to 20—are producing solid results on the Big Horn system. Don't sleep on small stonefly nymphs either. Get your weight dialed in so you're ticking bottom in those deeper slots and slower inside bends. Winter trout are glued to deep, consistent water, especially in the canyon stretches where the sun doesn't reach until mid-afternoon.

**Hot Spots**

Head down to the canyon sections where the current slows—that's where trout are staging right now. The deeper troughs and softer pockets are absolute money zones. Also, don't overlook the slower valley stretches when that midday warmth finally arrives. You might catch a brief midge cluster or tiny mayfly hatch sparking a dry-fly window if you're patient enough.

**The Bottom Line**

Bundle up, fish smart, and focus your efforts during those warmest afternoon hours. Slow your presentation down—subtle winter eats are the name of the game. Bring streamers like Mini Sculpins if you want to take a shot, but keep those retrieves tight and slow to structure.

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Well folks, this is Artificial Lure coming at you with your Big Horn River fishing report for Wednesday, November 26th, 2025.

Let me tell you, late fall fly fishing is in full swing across southwest Montana right now, and the Big Horn is firing on all cylinders. We've got big browns on the move, and that's music to any angler's ears. The water temps are dropping, which means the fish are more aggressive and feeding hard before winter really sets in.

Speaking of what's working—if you haven't tied on a sowbug yet, you're leaving fish on the table. These little critters were actually developed right here on the Big Horn, and the local guides swear by them. I'm talking serious producers. You'll want to size down a bit with the water cooling, so go with your smaller patterns in brown and olive. But don't sleep on nymphs either—stick with your standard blue-winged olives and some smaller stonefly patterns.

Now, conditions-wise, we're looking at mild weather holding through the region, which means the water's probably running cleaner than usual for this time of year. That's actually good news for us. The mild temps mean fish aren't super lethargic like they can be in brutal cold snaps.

For hot spots, you'll want to focus on the deeper holes and runs where those big browns like to stack up. The slower water below faster current sections is where they're hanging. Get down into some of the canyon sections if you can access them—that's where the monsters hide.

Best advice? Get out there sooner rather than later. We don't have much time left before the water temps drop even further. Throw small, dark patterns, keep your drifts tight, and be patient.

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Artificial Lure here, reporting from Big Horn, Montana on this frosty November 25th. Folks, it’s a true Montana late-fall morning: snow showers have been steady since last night, with Big Horn County highways slick and visibility knocked down by gusts that could touch 40 or 50 mph according to recent Montana Department of Transportation updates. With two to five inches of snow expected by evening and cold northwest winds stacking drifts, bundle up, drive slow, and don’t rush those early launches. Today’s sunrise hit at 7:23 AM while sunset will fall at 4:33 PM, so our prime fishing window is tight and mostly inside daylight.

For the anglers hardier than most, fishing activity around Big Horn this week is mixed but hopeful. Second and third-hand chat as well as local shop talk say trout—and especially browns—are still active in the Big Horn River, looking for a big meal before water temperatures tank. Blue Winged Olives are hatching, but with snow and lower light, nymphing below the surface is the ticket. Locals trolling the high flows report best luck on olive and black Woolly Buggers, with mid-weight streamers like Muddler Minnows also pulling numbers. A few folks have hooked browns over 20 inches, with the best chances coming mid-morning and late afternoon when the water temp stabilizes a bit.

Whitefish are hanging in slow eddies and deeper pools, displaced by higher CFS (cubic feet per second) levels up high. The latest Orvis report notes those surging flows after last week's rains have forced anglers to seek pockets sheltered from debris and heavy current. As river conditions have shifted, targeting deep structure with small jigs tipped with maggots or pink PowerBait is producing bites, especially close to the bottom of the riffles.

Walleye hunters are finding fewer, smaller fish as the season cools down, but persistent anglers working deep holes with silver blade baits or chartreuse jig heads have cashed in on the occasional 18-20 inch specimen, especially on clouded afternoons near the dam and upstream bends. Pike are slow but not out; one ambitious kid with a big spinner lure reportedly landed a 30-inch northern close to shallow grass near Afterbay just two days back—hope for those willing to grind! Late fall means pike want big, flashy presentations: try firetiger swimbaits or white spinnerbaits to draw strikes from lurking monsters.

Best bets for this snowy week?

- **Hot Spot #1:** The Afterbay stretch below Yellowtail Dam, where tailwater clarity is slightly better and big browns and rainbows are stacking up for the pre-winter feed.

- **Hot Spot #2:** The north shore at Two Leggins—a favorite for fly rodders after chunky browns and some pike action if the weed lines remain unfrozen.

Whatever your quarry, natural baits like minnows and nightcrawlers are working when nothing else draws a strike. Cold water calls for slow retrieves and bottom contact—leave the fast pops and skipping rigs at home for now. For flies, stick with classic

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This is Artificial Lure and here’s your boots-on-the-bank, real-time fishing report for Big Horn, Montana, and the legendary Bighorn River, for Monday, November 24, 2025.

Sunrise rolled in at 7:25 a.m. with a golden chill—the mercury hovering just above freezing. Sunset’s coming up early, 4:36 p.m. So if you want that magic hour bite, plan on packing up gear early. Winter weather advisories have been in effect; overnight snow dumped a couple of inches across southern Montana, and the bite of windchill lingers this morning. By noon, expect the sky to clear somewhat, but not much warmth—it’ll toughly crack the low 30s.

There’s no saltwater tide here, but river flows set the rhythm; according to Snoflo’s latest, Montana’s major rivers like the Bighorn are running a hair lower than average, about 80% of normal. The Bighorn below Afterbay remains fishable with steady, albeit chilly, flows. Water’s cold but clear—prime for watching trout chase your offering.

Montana Outdoor Radio Show reports most hunters are still out in the hills after deer and elk, so fishing pressure is light. That means quiet waters for anglers, and trout are active and hungry, feeding up ahead of the coldest months. Recent creel surveys from local fly shops say brown trout are still running large, with bows mixed in—the past week saw several slabs in the 20- to 24-inch class brought in by dedicated waders, especially on slower inside bends downstream of St. Xavier.

On the menu today: midges, sowbugs, and scuds—the winter drift buffet. For the fly crew, it’s hard to beat a Pink Soft Hackle Ray Charles or a tan sowbug pattern, sizes 16–18, paired with a zebra midge dropper. Go with 6X tippet and keep it subtle. Some locals are swinging smaller olive woolly buggers or leech patterns in the late afternoon, picking off the bigger browns lurking in slow seams and deep holes.

If your style is spinning, grab a small gold Panther Martin or Mepps pretty much anywhere from Three Mile to Soap Creek. Trout colored up for the spawn have hammered these flashy offerings. If you like to fish with bait and local regs allow, a fresh nightcrawler drifted under a small float remains a Bighorn classic—just work those deeper runs.

Hot spots?

- **The Afterbay to Three Mile stretch**: Deep pools below riffles are winter sanctuaries for trout and have been producing daily.

- **The big slow bend just upriver of Soap Creek**: Recent reports spotlight it for quality browns on big nymph rigs and streamers.

Traffic is light on the river this week; your only competition might be an eagle overhead or a sleepy muskrat in the willows. Just keep an eye out for ice at the edges and wade carefully.

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Cloudless skies and lows in the mid-20s greeted anglers around Big Horn, Montana this morning, with the sun coming up at 7:14 AM and kissing the horizon goodbye at 4:36 PM. Most folks around here know we've slid deep into late fall—trout are hunkering down, nights are long, and the bite gets best once the day wakes up and things warm just a tad. No tide chart for these prairie rivers, just the steady pull of the Bighorn, always reliable.

Right now, the weather is crisp but fishable: calm, cold mornings, barely brushing 25 degrees before the sun edges higher. By midday, expect things to nudge into the upper 30s and maybe low 40s, still crystal clear—ideal for spotting risers if you’re sharp-eyed, but don't expect much dry fly action before noon, if at all. According to Weather Street’s conditions for Bighorn, humidity is high and dew’s hanging right at that frost point—just the kind of morning to keep your guides freezing and your hands chilly.

Fishing’s been solid if you time it right and lean on winter techniques. The big story is nymphing—rubberlegs, prince nymphs, rainbow warriors, and especially smaller stonefly attractors and perdigons have been responsible for most of the hookups. Focus on slow, deep water where fish are stacking up to conserve energy. If you like a bit of flash, mini dungeons and sparkle minnows stripped along ledges and deeper slots have pulled up a few better bows and browns, especially in the late afternoon slots when cloud cover settles in.

Local chatter from Fins and Feathers Bozeman and folks fishing the Gallatin has carried over to the Bighorn: the best producers for trout right now have included olive mini peanut envy patterns, purple lite brite perdigon, black zebra midges, and brown Pat’s rubberlegs. Folks drifting the slow inside seams or taking shots below Afterbay have reported rainbows up into the high teens, with numbers tailing off sharply after that first hot window of the day. Browns are hunkered but still there for folks committed to dragging big stonefly nymphs.

For bait anglers, worms and maggots drifted deep will reliably turn up a few trout and maybe a mountain whitefish or two—keep the rig simple and let it tick bottom. Spin anglers with small gold spoons or trout magnets have found late-morning luck near the benches at Three Mile and in the calm water below Bighorn Access. Fly guys, keep a few size 18–20 blue-winged olive emerger patterns handy—you might see a subtle rise or two on those rare thick overcast spells.

Hot spots this week:

- **Below Afterbay Dam:** Consistent nymph bite, especially mid to late morning when the sun gets up.

- **Three Mile Access downstream:** Good numbers of rainbows reported tight to the seams, with best action on prince nymphs and flashy perdigons.

- **Seams near Bighorn Access:** Shallow gravel gives way to deep channels—prime holding ground for wintering trout and a few rogue browns.

Remember, fish handling is everything this time of year: cold, clear wa

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This is Artificial Lure with your November 20th fishing report for the Big Horn, Montana area. Folks woke up to a chilly, late-fall morning—sunrise rolling in at 7:14 AM, with sunset expected at 4:39 PM. No tides to report here in the Bighorn Basin, but the weather is worth a mention: Montana Outdoor says to brace for a chill, as highs are hovering in the upper 30s to low 40s, dipping into the 20s overnight, with a steady chance of snow showers and patchy morning fog moving through. Montana Department of Transportation’s road report warns that icy patches could linger, especially early and late, so folks should watch their step on the riprap and gravel approaches.

Wind’s out of the northwest, light in the morning but picking up by midday—not too rough for casting, but enough to add some movement to those drifts. River levels remain near historical averages, and recent snowmelt and scattered rain have the Bighorn running clear with temperature readings starting in the upper 30s and creeping toward 44°F by afternoon. That’s prime water for late-season trout to stay active but tight-lipped—classic November in Big Horn.

Fish activity’s solid for this time of year, and Montana Outdoor reports the bite has held steady through fluctuating weather. Big browns are still on the move—post-spawn, lumbering back into deeper holes, while rainbow trout are sliding into the riffles and tailouts, especially mid-morning when the water warms just a hint. Local chatter out of the fly shops says the nymph bite is hot: Euro-style presentations with a tungsten beaded pheasant tail, lightning bug, or a small pink squirrel are leading to hookups, especially if you get them down along the seams. A few dedicated streamer anglers are still finding aggressive browns swinging sculpins and dark articulated buggers through the deeper slots, early and late in the day.

Catch reports this week highlight a mixed bag of healthy rainbows, average 15 to 18 inches, and some husky post-spawn browns, topped by an honest 24-inch fish landed near Afterbay. Anglers on foot above 3-Mile Access have been picking up steady numbers on small midges and Baetis dries when the clouds settle in and the river flattens out—a size 20 olive comparadun or Griffith’s Gnat will get looks on top if you’re patient.

For bait anglers, worms drifted on the bottom are still producing, but in the colder water, the action has slowed a touch—nightcrawlers are best, but folks using a pinch of salmon egg have been rewarded by a few cutthroat trout near the mouth of Soap Creek.

The hot spots today: try below the Afterbay for early browns on streamers, especially at first light and just before sunset. The 3-Mile stretch is seeing the most consistent rainbow action for walk-wade anglers nymphing deep. If you’re after numbers, focus on slower edge water and foam lines—trout are stacking up wherever the current softens.

To recap: dress warm, pack both nymph and streamer rigs, and don’t overlook a switch to midges or

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Artificial Lure here coming to you with your boots-on-the-ground fishing report for the Big Horn, Montana region—November 19th, 2025.

Weather’s been mild for mid-November, with temperatures topping out in the low-50s—actually about 7 degrees above your historical average for this stretch, which usually sees highs near 47°F and lows dipping toward 20°F. Skies have been partly cloudy with patches of fog in the valleys earlier this morning, clearing up nicely as the day rolls on. There’s just enough chill to remind us winter isn’t far, but nothing to keep you off the water, as reported by MontanaRightNow and WeatherForYou. Sunrise hit us at 7:17 AM, with sunset coming at 4:37 PM—so you’ve got about 9 hours and 20 minutes of daylight to fish hard.

No tidal report for the Big Horn—Montana’s rivers run true, no salty sway in these parts. But let’s talk river activity: The fish are still moving, especially with this unseasonably warm stretch. Montana Outdoor notes that fishing’s cold, quiet, and great for the dedicated, which fits what I’ve seen and heard from local rods out these past few days. Water’s cooling off as we get deeper into November, and that’s got the trout coming up to feed a bit longer during mid-day instead of just dawn and dusk.

Recent catches have been solid. Anglers are reporting good numbers of rainbow trout up to 20 inches on the Bighorn River itself, brown trout getting feisty as their own spawning wraps up, and the occasional whitefish balling up in the slower eddies. Bighorn’s famed for its big trout, and this week hasn’t disappointed—guys in drift boats downstream of Afterbay dam pulled in rainbows and browns, with best action reported between 9 AM and 2 PM. Word at the local shop has most crews seeing half-a-dozen solid trout apiece in a half-day float, sometimes more if you catch a cloudy stretch.

So if you’re wondering *what’s working*, streamer season is still running hot. Woolly Buggers in olive and black, articulated gold cone-heads, and sculpin patterns have gotten the most grabs. For bait, it’s hard to beat a live nightcrawler bounced through deeper runs if you’re fishing under a bobber—though, of course, regulations for live bait change between sections, so double-check before you cast. Nymphs like the red San Juan worm and orange egg patterns are also excellent right now—those browns can’t resist 'em after their spawn.

For fly gear, lightweight setups are outperforming heavy stuff unless you’re throwing big streamers. For spinning, 1/8 to 1/4 oz jigs tipped with a bit of crawler or white twister tail are a local favorite.

Hot spots? Two stand out today:

- Below Afterbay Dam: Reliable flows, lots of oxygen—trout are concentrated and feeding.

- The 3 Mile Access stretch: Brown trout still cruising close to the banks and rainbows stacked up in the deeper buckets.

Have not heard much about walleye or bass this week—water temp’s dropped off for them, but keep an eye out next warm spell. Don’t forget, the deer rut’s

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# Big Horn Montana Fishing Report - November 18, 2025

Well folks, this is Artificial Lure bringing you your Tuesday morning fishing report for the Big Horn area.

We're looking at mostly cloudy to partly sunny conditions today with highs climbing into the upper 40s to low 60s—not too shabby for mid-November in Montana. Sunrise is around 7:15 AM, so if you're heading out this morning, you've still got some decent daylight hours ahead. Sunset comes early at about 4:45 PM, so plan accordingly.

The Big Horn River is running cold and clear right now, which means the trout are still active. Late fall is prime time for brown trout in this region. These big bruisers are on the move, especially the larger ones. You'll want to focus on deeper pools and structure—think undercut banks and behind large rocks where the water breaks the flow.

Blue Winged Olives are currently hatching across southwest Montana, and that includes our waters here. This is gold for fly anglers. If you're throwing hardware, go with smaller spinners in silver or gold—1/8 to 1/4 ounce ranges work best in these conditions. Live bait enthusiasts should stick with small shiners or crawdads if you can find them.

For your hotspots, I'd recommend checking out the deeper runs just upstream from the Highway 37 access point. The structure there holds fish right now. Also, don't sleep on the calmer sections near the private ranches—if you've got permission, those slower pools are holding trophy browns.

The water temperature is probably sitting in the low 40s, so the fish aren't as aggressive as summer, but they're still feeding. Early morning and late afternoon remain your best windows before the winter cold really sets in.

Thanks for tuning in to today's report, and don't forget to subscribe for regular updates on fishing conditions throughout the region.

This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.

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