Yellowstone River, Montana Fishing Report Today

# Yellowstone River Fishing Report - November 27, 2025

Well, folks, this is Artificial Lure bringing you today's Yellowstone River fishing report. We're looking at prime late-fall conditions out here in Paradise Valley.

**Weather and Timing**

Bundle up—we're talking overnight lows well below freezing with daytime highs only reaching the low teens. You'll want to hit the water between late morning and mid-afternoon when things thaw out a bit. Winter's officially here, and the river's running cold and clear. Sunrise is around 7:30 AM and sunset hits around 4:45 PM, so you've got a tight window to work with.

**What's Happening on the Water**

The Yellowstone's responding to winter patterns just like our neighboring creeks. Trout are hugging the deep, slow water—those inside bends, troughs, and anywhere the current breaks are money spots right now. Fish are sluggish and selective, so you need to slow down and fish methodically.

**Flies and Bait That Are Working**

Nymphing is your bread and butter. Small stuff matters—Perdigons and Zebra Midges in sizes 18-20, paired with a jigged stonefly or slim attractor. If you're feeling adventurous and see a brief midge hatch during those warmer afternoon hours, throw a Griffith's Gnat. Streamers like Mini Sculpins and Thin Mints can move fish during mild spells, but keep your retrieves slow and tight to structure. The key is adjusting your weight to tick bottom—depth is everything right now.

**Hot Spots**

Fish the canyon stretches where the sun doesn't hit until later—that's where the trout stage in winter. The valley sections open up nicely for mid-day dry-fly opportunities on warmer afternoons. And don't overlook the softer riffles and mid-depth seams as temperatures rise after noon.

**Recent Activity**

The Yellowstone's known for excellent fly fishing with premier river access. It's the last major undammed river in the Lower 48, flowing 671 miles from Yellowstone National Park through our valley. Late fall browns are on the move right now, and there's still time to find some incredible trout before we really lock down.

Get out there, fish smart, and focus on those warmest daylight hours. Thanks for tuning in—make sure to subscribe for more reports like this one.

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Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure checking in with your Yellowstone River fishing report for Wednesday, November 26th, 2025.

We woke up to classic late November weather out here—mostly cloudy, cold, and crisp. The forecast from the National Weather Service is calling for snow showers tapering off, with daytime highs struggling to make it out of the teens to low 20s. Winds from the southwest are picking up at 10-15 mph, gusting to 25. No tide worries on our Yellowstone, of course, but keep those layers handy and watch for icy banks.

Sunrise hit at around 7:37 AM, and our shorter days mean sunset's rolling in just after 4:39 PM. That gives you a tight window, so plan your outings well and carry a good headlamp if you’ll be out late.

Fishing’s still holding up surprisingly well for this time of year. Reports from the Yellowstone Angler note that the NE section through the Park is fishing strong, with folks landing some beautiful native Yellowstone Cutthroat and the odd hefty brown. PMDs are still coming off mid-morning in the slower seams, and you might run into a few spare green or gray drakes if we get good cloud cover.

Best bets for flies today: Hoppers in sizes #8-12 are still getting late-season grabs if you’re working grassy banks. For your dropper, a Tungsten Sunken Ant in #18–20 or a Black Mini-Chernobyl in #14–16 can stir up action. There have also been flying ants, beetles, and the reliable PMD sparkle dun in smaller sizes. Streamers—think Sparkle Minnows or Olive Sculpzillas—have moved some thick-shouldered browns out of the deep runs, especially right as the sun starts dipping and the temperature drops.

If you’re a conventional angler, you’ll want to reach for small jerkbaits and Rapalas in brown or gold, worked slow and deep. On bait, drifted nightcrawlers are hard to beat—just be prepared for the occasional whitefish mixed in with your trout. The bite has shifted to midday, especially with this cold snap, so sleeping in won’t hurt your odds.

Recent catches have included plenty of healthy cutthroat, a solid handful of browns, and some whitefish keeping rods bent in the deeper holes. Lately, fish activity’s focused around the mid-morning warmup until about 2:00 PM before things tap out. If you’re keen on numbers, the edge of town at Livingston’s Sacajawea Park stretch and the riffles upstream toward Mallard’s Rest have given up some good trout with less angling pressure. Lamar Valley up in the park is still a go-to hotspot if you don’t mind a brief hike.

Just a reminder—the colder water has really condensed fish into wintering holes and slower tailouts. Slow down your presentation and target that deep water. And with deer season still rolling, remember to wear some orange if you’re hiking into the brushier banks.

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It’s Tuesday, November 25th, and this is Artificial Lure coming to you with your Yellowstone River fishing report out of Montana.

Let’s get right to the conditions. Last night brought in a winter weather advisory across the region, with snow totals of two to six inches in the valleys and heavier up high. Billings this morning clocked in at 22°F, and we’re not seeing much of a warming trend—expect highs only in the upper 20s and more snow showers drifting through by late afternoon, according to the National Weather Service and Ventusky. Sunrise rolled in at 7:36 AM, with dusk expected around 4:36 PM. We’ve got a classic late fall bite window: plan your best fishing between late morning and early afternoon when things nudge above freezing.

No tides to report since the Yellowstone River is all guts and gravel, but water levels are steady and cold. Wading may be a touch slick, so take care.

Fish activity is truly a story of the seasons right now. According to Montana Outdoor’s most recent Yellowstone River Fishing Report, those blustery fall days are keeping most folks parked around town, but for those tough enough to hit the banks, the river is still producing some solid late-season trout. Brown trout are in their full spawn mode—target the tailouts but tread lightly to avoid their redds. Rainbows and cutthroats are still willing down deep, especially on blue-winged olive (BWO) hatches and midges.

Recent catches reported around Livingston included several fat browns running 16 to 22 inches and strong numbers of 12 to 18 inch rainbows. DePuy’s and Armstrong’s spring creeks have also kicked out nice bows for anyone drifting tiny Baetis and midge patterns, according to Yellowstone Angler. If you’re lucky, you might even pick up a whitefish—they’re staging in softer runs and responding well to nymphs.

Best bet for flies: with PMDs and tricos waning, it’s all about the BWO and pseudo hatches. That means tying on Harrop CDC baetis emergers (#18-20), Baetis Vis A Dun (#20-22), or a Hi-Vis Baetis on top. Nymphers should go small and natural—think BWO Crack back nymphs (#18-22), thin baetis nymphs, and Sawyer Style PT’s (#14-16). For a little extra weight in this cold water, try a tungsten bead. Don’t overlook midge larvae, olive scuds, and leeches if you need to dredge. On sunnier banks, try a hopper or beetle, but those windows are short now.

Conventional anglers: it’s all about small spoons and spinners. Panther Martins in black and gold, 1/8 oz Blue Fox Vibrax, or a classic silver Kastmaster are all seeing results. For the die-hard bait crowd, drift a nightcrawler or single salmon egg along the bottom—whitefish and rainbows can’t resist.

As for hotspots, swing by the Paradise Valley spring creeks—DePuy’s and Armstrong’s are still producing, and with the browns on the move, the riffles just downstream of the Mill Creek confluence are worth a look. If you’re after solitude, check the gravel bars near Carter’s Bridge—just keep eyes on that ice build

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Yellowstone River anglers, Artificial Lure checking in from Paradise Valley to Billings with your November 24, 2025, fishing report. It’s late fall on the Yellowstone—air is crisp, mornings start below freezing, but the water’s still open and fishing pressure’s light with most folks focused on hunting. Sunrise was right at 7:35 AM and you’ll see sunset around 4:38 PM today, so plan those outings accordingly.

Today’s weather feels surprisingly mild for Thanksgiving week. Forecasts from Ventusky and the National Weather Service in Billings show early morning temps around 4°C (39°F), peaking at 20°C (68°F) midafternoon. Winds stay easy, mostly from the southwest at 8–14 km/h, skies are clear, and there’s no precipitation in the cards. No tidal swings here on the Yellowstone, so flows stay consistent—though always keep an eye for late season releases or ground ice early in the day.

Recent reports from Montana Outdoor Radio Show and local guides say anglers willing to brave icy guides are still getting into fish. Rainbows are the stars right now with steady action on the stretches near Livingston and up towards Emigrant; a few browns are still hanging out in deeper tailouts post-spawn. Nymphing is the most productive tactic—think small stoneflies (size 10–14), and classic winter fare like zebra midges and pheasant tails under an indicator. Folks swinging streamers—especially smaller olive or black buggers—are picking up fish when the overcast rolls in, mostly during midafternoon warmups.

Numbers-wise, it’s not lights-out, but dedicated anglers are putting half a dozen good rainbows in the net on a half-day trip. Most are 10-16 inches but there’s always bigger fish lurking in deeper holding water below riffles. Don’t overlook long, slow seams—a few browns up to 18 inches have been reported by persistent streamer anglers earlier this week. Whitefish are also active, and on the right day they’ll stack up behind riffles, so if you’re after numbers, it’s hard to beat a beadhead nymph.

Best bait right now? Go with subsurface patterns—definitely nymphs. European-style jig nymphs in pink and gold are seeing steady grabs. If you’re dead-set on conventional tackle, ultra-light spinners in silver or gold can move a surprise brown, especially near undercut banks around Big Timber and the Pine Creek access point.

For fly anglers, your hot fly list: small rubberlegs stone, zebra midge, pheasant tail, and squirmy worm patterns in red or pink. Streamer junkies: black-and-olive or white buggers with a bit of flash, retrieved slow and deep, are the ticket.

Local hot spots right now include:

- “The Mayor’s Landing” just east of Livingston — classic gravel bars and deep bends where rainbows are stacked.

- Emigrant Fishing Access — long runs and nobody else around, perfect for nymphing or swinging streamers in the afternoon sun.

- Down near Big Timber, the islands and slower channels have been money for late fall browns.

Keep in mind, the mornings are frigid—expec

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Yellowstone River folks, Artificial Lure coming in with your fishing report for Friday, November 21, 2025. Livingston’s air’s got a bite to it this morning—sunrise snapped the cold just after 7:29 AM, with sunset coming at 4:43 PM. Temps are floating several degrees above normal for November, so expect highs in the mid-40s and overnight lows in the 20s according to Weather for You and MountainWeather. Still, layers and waders are a must, especially early or late.

No tides to worry about, but water’s on the low side for late fall and running clear. Drought and warm spells have crept back in, so be sure to step slow and keep your approach light—these trout will spook easy as whitetails in November. Occasional flurries brushed the Absarokas, but not much snow making it to river level—Montana Outdoor says winter’s late, only adding to these mellow flows.

Now, onto the bite: Up and down Paradise Valley, the late-fall trout pattern is your best bet. Browns are settled back in after the spawn, rainbows are feeding up. Local shops and Montana Outdoor's angling reports from this week say it’s mostly *nymphing* for numbers—think size 16-18 blue-winged olive nymphs, zebra midges, pheasant tails, and small stonefly stuff. Dead drift a Pat’s Rubberleg or a black Perdigon along the deeper seams and bucket holes. Small, shiny streamers like olive Sparkle Minnows and Mini Peanut Evys picked up a few nice browns this week, especially under cloud cover.

There have been reports of a couple cutthroats and cuttbows near Carter’s Bridge, but browns and bows are the mainstay. Word around the fire ring has it that O’Rea Creek confluence and Mayor’s Landing fished best, especially with BWO emergers and Perdigon nymphs bounced tight to the bottom.

The old timers drifting near Pine Creek found a pod or two of rising fish late in the afternoons. Bring a couple size 18 BWO Sparkle Duns if the weather turns overcast and calm in the afternoon—that’s when midges and olives get those noses up. Otherwise, stay down and deep.

Not much on the bait scene this time of year; those sticking it out with worms or eggs near Livingston and Emigrant have managed some eaters, but flies are outfishing hardware and bait right now. Leave the big spinners at home—these trout are too wise for much flash, especially with the clear conditions.

Most folks are reporting modest catches: a handful of browns pushing 14-18 inches, a couple rainbows in the same class, and the occasional cutthroat. Nothing barn-door sized this week, but plenty of healthy fall fish for the careful angler.

Best hotspots right now? O’Rea Creek confluence for numbers, and Pine Creek Bridge for a shot at a bigger brown, especially swinging a streamer in low light. Mayor’s Landing is a safe bet mid-morning for nymphing tracks. Bring caution—those fish have been seeing a lot of pressure, so stealth counts.

Remember, most of the Yellowstone inside the park is closed now for winter, except the Gardner River and the lower Ma

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Morning, folks. It’s a crisp one out here on the Yellowstone River today, November 20, 2025. Sunrise was just after 7:11 a.m., and sunset will be around 5:05 p.m., so you’ve got a good stretch of daylight to get out there. The weather’s mostly sunny, with highs expected in the low 40s and a bit of a breeze out of the southwest. The forecast says it’ll stay dry, which is a relief after last week’s rain and warmer temps. Visibility’s clear, and the river’s running at about 6,570 cubic feet per second, which is a bit below average but still fishable.

Fish activity’s been steady, especially for trout. Anglers have been catching a mix of brown and rainbow trout, with some reports of decent-sized fish in the 16- to 20-inch range. The fall colors are still hanging on, and the aggressive trout are making the most of the last of the season. If you’re chasing steelhead, the Upper Salmon River’s seeing some action, but here on the Yellowstone, it’s mostly trout. The recent reports mention that the best catches are happening in the slower pools and deeper runs, especially where the water’s a bit more stable.

For lures, streamers are still producing, especially in the morning and late afternoon. Try a black or olive woolly bugger, or a sculpin pattern if you’re looking to get down deep. For bait, worms and eggs are still working well, especially if you’re fishing near the bottom. If you’re fly fishing, a big stonefly or a nymph with a bit of flash seems to be the ticket.

A couple of hot spots to check out: the stretch below Livingston is always solid, and the area around Paradise Valley is producing some nice fish. If you’re looking for a quieter spot, try the lower reaches near Corwin Springs. The water’s a bit slower there, and you’ll have more room to work.

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Artificial Lure here with your Yellowstone River fishing report for November 19th, 2025.

No tides on Montana’s Yellowstone, but water flows are steady and clarity’s decent after recent blustery days in Livingston, according to Montana Outdoor’s latest report. The unseasonably **mild temps continue**, with afternoons in the high 40s and 50s and lows dipping to near freezing. Early mornings see some patchy fog but expect partly sunny skies as the day wears on. *Sunrise is clocking in at 7:27 a.m., sunset around 4:44 p.m.*, giving you a short but workable window for chasing trout and whitefish.

River conditions feel more like early fall than deep November, and that’s having a real effect on fish patterns. Fish are holding deeper as we transition into late autumn—prime time for nymphs and streamers. The bite’s a little slow thanks to sunny stretches warming the water, but those sticking with it are still finding action.

Recent catches have included good numbers of **brown trout**, a handful of rainbows, some feisty cutthroats, and, as usual this time of year, plenty of whitefish. Most browns coming in are in the 15 to 20-inch class, with lucky folks getting into bigger post-spawn browns from deeper, slower water. Rainbows have been caught mainly in faster riffles at mid-day, sizing from 12 to 15 inches. Anglers from Livingston to Big Timber report steady if not spectacular fishing—anglers in the know are switching up to bigger streamers for those aggressive takes, especially later in the afternoon.

With the colder weather holding off, river traffic is a little lighter, meaning less pressured fish at classic winter spots. That said, **the best action’s been reported near the Pine Creek access and through Paradise Valley around Mallard’s Rest**—slow seams, deep bends, and below gravel riffles are your go-to. The town stretch near Carter’s Bridge is also a safe bet, especially on a quick afternoon session.

**Best lures and flies right now:**

- Olive or black woolly buggers, size 4–8

- Articulated streamers in white, gold, or brown—think Sex Dungeon and Dirty Hippie patterns

- Big, buggy stonefly nymphs like Pat’s Rubber Legs, size 8–10

- Small beadhead Pheasant Tails and Zebra Midges for whitefish

- Don’t be shy about drifting a brightly colored egg pattern—whitefish are taking them, and the occasional trout as well

**For bait anglers**—if you’re lucky enough to have permission, stonefly nymphs and nightcrawlers are producing below undercut banks. Remember most of the river is artificial lures only, so double-check regs.

No big hatches this week, but keep an eye out for midges late in the day if the wind drops. Drift those small patterns under an indicator in slower back eddies and tailouts for a few bonus bites.

Anglers are reporting the bite turns on just after noon with water warming ever so slightly, especially after a sunny stretch. Fish activity slows toward evening as cold sets in, so plan your day for late morning through mid-a

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Howdy, folks—Artificial Lure here with your Yellowstone River fishing report for Tuesday, November 18th, 2025, beaming in from Livingston, Montana. We’re deep in late fall fly season, and while the weather’s throwing us a classic blustery Montana curveball, it’s game-on for big trout if you’re willing to suit up and brave the breeze.

Let’s kick off with today’s **weather:** Expect crisp highs in the mid to upper 40s, maybe peaking just above 50 if the sun pops out, while overnight will chill down to the upper 20s. Winds are the wildcard today, gusting up near 30 mph around the valley, especially toward the afternoon. According to Don Day’s weather, we’ll see partly sunny skies with a shot at patchy fog early, so bring an extra layer and a hot thermos. Sunrise in Billings (your closest major point) is at 7:01 AM, with sunset set for 4:54 PM, giving us just a slice of prime daylight—make it count.

On the river, water temps have settled between 61–67°F, and flows (CFS) are holding steady. The current doesn't fluctuate as dramatically as tidal water, but periodic cold nights do push the bite window to midday, lining up beautifully with the Blue Winged Olive hatch, which hits hardest from late morning through early afternoon.

**Fish activity:** The trout are still feeding hard before winter truly locks us down. Browns are migrating, rainbows are prowling, and the cutthroat are doing their thing in the upper reaches. Reports from the Yellowstone Angler and Montana Outdoor say anglers have been pulling sturdy browns and rainbows from just north of Livingston, with some big fish hooked near the Valley and above Yankee Jim.

**Recent catches:** The talk this week is about browns in the 18- to 24-inch range giving chase to nymphs and streamers. Rainbows have been active, too, and cutthroats—while less common right now on the main stem—are still turning up in the spring creeks. Monster lake trout news is coming out of Flathead Lake, but the Yellowstone fish are plump and raring to feed—no slouches here!

For **lures and bait:**

- **Flies:** Blue Winged Olive nymphs (#14-18), midge patterns (#18-22), and hopper patterns (mostly peach and pink hoppers, sizes #8-14) are taking top honors.

- **Streamers:** Bronze and gold colors are killer in low light, with smaller articulated patterns like the Zoo Cougar, Woolly Scuplin, and Sparkle Minnow all moving fish. Fish them with short, sharp strips and don’t be afraid to work the rod—animate the fly for a “reaction bite.”

- **Bait:** If you’re sticking to conventional, worms and live insects work, but flies remain the ticket.

**Hot spots to hit:**

- The **stretch north of Livingston** is producing, especially midway to Emigrant—midday is best here for both dries and nymphs.

- **Yankee Jim Canyon** and Paradise Valley spring creeks (Armstrong's, Depuy’s, Nelson’s)—these waters are classic late season brown trout haunts.

- Canyon Ferry Lake (a short drive) is full of hungry rainbows if you want to flex with a dif

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# Yellowstone River Fishing Report - November 17, 2025

Howdy, folks, this is Artificial Lure coming to you with your Yellowstone River fishing report for today, Monday, November 17th, 2025.

Let me start with the conditions we're looking at out there. We're in the thick of late fall fly fishing season, and the big browns are definitely on the move. Blustery fall weather is challenging anglers around Livingston right now, so bundle up if you're heading out. We've got some wind gusting up to around 30 mph in the region, with highs in the mid-40s to low 50s and overnight lows dropping into the upper 20s to high 30s. Blue Winged Olives are actively hatching, which is fantastic news if you've got some small dry flies in your box.

**Fish Activity & Recent Success**

The good news is fish are still feeding strong before the deep freeze sets in. Over on Flathead Lake, they've been absolutely crushing it with lake trout—14,700 have been turned in this season alone. But here on the Yellowstone River system, we're seeing excellent conditions for brown trout. Bank anglers north of the Silos on Canyon Ferry Lake were recently rewarded with monster rainbows, so those fish are definitely hungry.

**What to Throw**

For November on the Yellowstone, I'd recommend having Blue Winged Olive nymphs in sizes 14-18 in your fly box—those are matching the current hatch. Small hopper patterns still work if you're sight-casting, and don't sleep on midge patterns as the water cools. If you're running spinners or small streamers, bronze and gold remain your go-to colors. As for bait, live insects and worms will get attention, but flies are really the ticket right now.

**Hot Spots**

If you're looking for locations, the stretch north of Livingston continues to be productive, and that Canyon Ferry Lake area is holding some solid fish. The river is in decent shape for November, and with those olives hatching consistently, you'll want to be on the water during midday when the hatch peaks.

**Final Thoughts**

It's still time to find some incredible trout before winter locks us down completely. Get out there while you can!

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This is Artificial Lure with your November 16, 2025, Yellowstone River fishing report—straight from the heart of Big Sky Country.

It’s a brisk, quiet morning along the Yellowstone, with the region settling into late fall. Sunrise was at 7:18 AM and expect sunset around 4:48 PM, so your best window to wet a line is right in the middle of the day when things warm up. Highs will touch the high 50s, with partly sunny skies and a gentle east wind picking up to 9 mph—not bad for November. There’s a slight chance of showers rolling in tonight, but expect a dry stretch for the prime fishing hours, perfect for working those cold hands back into action; just remember to dress in layers and mind those frosty banks, especially at the ramps and in shallow wade spots, as mentioned on the Montana Outdoor Radio Show.

With the deer hunters chasing muleys and whiteys up in the foothills, the banks are empty—meaning you pretty much have the run of the river. That’s made for some real solitude out on the water, and according to both Montana Outdoor and the latest Montana Fishing Report, anglers willing to brave the chill have been rewarded. Activity is picking up with both rainbow trout and post-spawn browns, especially between Livingston and Big Timber. The browns are wrapping up their spawn and dropping back into the deeper center runs, while the ‘bows are chasing bait with a little more aggression each day.

The best bite is running from about late morning through mid-afternoon as the water temps creep up. Mid-30s at first light, warming to the low-40s by midday is what you can expect. On the catch front: reports this week from locals around Livingston and Springdale tell of solid numbers of browns in the 16-22 inch range and plenty of hefty rainbows—some pushing past 20 inches—being landed on streamer runs and nymph drifts. No surprise, fish counts are a little lower than summer, but the quality is making up for it.

Let’s talk gear. If you’re targeting those hungry browns and bows, put away the summer dries—November is streamer and nymph territory. Black or olive woolly buggers, sex dungeons, and big sculpin patterns are scoring the most browns, especially on a slow swing through the tailouts and deep seams. White or cream streamers are getting some aggressive eats from rainbows, especially if you give them plenty of movement. For nymphing, a stonefly (like a Pat's Rubber Legs) trailed with a small pheasant tail or a size 18 zebra midge is the combination getting it done. With water clarity running clear but the temps dropping, slow your retrieve, keep weights heavy, and focus on the slowest water just off the main current.

Not much on the bait front here—Yellowstone’s strictly artificial only, but if you like to mix it up, tossing a lightweight spoon or spinner in the midday sun can get those cruising bows to strike. As for fly color, locals are leaning dark on the cloudier days and a little flash when the sun peeks through.

Hot spots? Don’t overlook the s

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