Yellowstone River, Montana Fishing Report Today

This is Artificial Lure checking in with your Yellowstone River fishing report for Saturday, November 15, 2025. It’s been a classic late fall week—cold mornings, wind some days, but the trout are still hungry, and the diehards are being rewarded near Livingston and down into Paradise Valley. If you’re looking for real-time action, now’s the time before the river settles fully into winter.

First, weather around the Yellowstone today is brisk and autumnal. This morning saw temps in the upper 20s, rising to highs near 44°F by the afternoon. Skies are mostly sunny early, clouding up later with a damp chill settling in by sunset. Winds are light but expect an occasional gust out of the southwest. Sunrise was 7:22 AM and you’ll need to pack up by sunset at 4:48 PM—short days mean every cast counts. According to MountainWeather, a cold front is on approach, so you may want to plan for mixed rain and snow by the evening, especially if you’re out past dinner.

No tidal report for this freestone river, but flows near Livingston are steady and just a touch up after recent mountain run-off. The water's got that clear, clean late-fall look—the kind that calls for long leaders and subtle drifts.

Trout activity has been shockingly good for mid-November, with Sweetwater Fly Shop reporting a solid run of both browns and rainbows this week. The browns are still coming off their spawn and are hungry, looking to pack on calories before deep winter. Rainbows are feisty in the runs and tailouts, often rising on milder afternoons. Anglers have been pulling in plenty of 14–18” rainbows, with a few thick browns in the low 20s showing up from the deeper holes. The bite really heats up midday when the sun softens the water just enough.

Numbers-wise, it hasn’t been shoulder-to-shoulder but those in the know are putting a half-dozen solid trout in the net per outing—and a couple locals down near Mallard’s Rest even showed off some monster catches topping 22”.

Best bet for lures and flies right now? Think small and slow. Midge nymphs and zebra midges are money, as these are the main food source this time of year. Classic patterns like the Juju Midge in black or red, size 18–20, and a tan scud or small beadhead pheasant tail will draw steady strikes. For streamer junkies, dead-drifted olive or black buggers and smaller Sculpzillas fished deep and slow are getting big brown attention, particularly early and late. Sweetwater Fly Shop says don’t forget about Blue Winged Olives—if you see noses breaking the surface on a sunny stretch, tie on a size 18 BWO emerger or a Parachute Adams and get after them.

Traditional bait isn’t permitted in many stretches, especially inside or near the park, so check your regs—but artificial lures and flies are the go-to now. If regulation permits, a well-drifted worm imitation or even a plain old San Juan worm in pink or red can turn slow periods into action.

Hot spots? Livingston town stretch is still seeing consistent numbers. Paradise Vall

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Yellowstone River folks, Artificial Lure here, reporting in bright and early on November 14th. We’re seeing a true Montana autumn: the last gasp of warmth is behind us and winter is teasing its arrival. Just up north of the park, the mercury’s been oddly high for November—caught locals off guard in shorts a couple days back with highs in the 60s—but the transition to colder, wetter, and snowier weather is underway according to The Outdoor Society and Cowboy State Daily. Expect more clouds, intermittent rain, and snow showers settling in for the remainder of the week, with daytime highs now drifting toward the low 40s to mid-50s. Montana Outdoor notes especially blustery and challenging conditions recently around Livingston.

Sunrise hit at 7:18 AM and sunset will drop close to 4:50 PM, so plan those outings for the late morning into early afternoon. While our Yellowstone River isn’t tidal, watch for flows and water clarity—recent patchy precipitation in northwest Montana has improved river conditions a bit, as reported by the National Drought Mitigation Center, so expect decent flow with a good bump from runoff.

Fish activity lately has keyed up on nymphs as the real chill arrives. Word from local guides and Montana Outdoor is that rainbows have been active in deeper runs, picking off rubberlegs, smaller stonefly nymphs, and flashy beadheads like the Rainbow Warrior and Spanish Bullet. Brown trout are still a primary target, hunkering down but taking small streamers—think olive or black Sparkle Minnow or Mini Dungeon, especially when the clouds roll in late in the day. The occasional dry window is still popping up with blue-winged olives and midges, so if you see trout sipping in eddies, don’t hesitate to throw a size 18–20 parachute BWO.

Catches have been solid for November—reports as recent as Nov 11 out of Montana Outdoor detail a decent amount of 14–18 inch browns and rainbows, with a handful of cutthroat showing up in slower side channels. Nothing hot and heavy, but enough action to keep things interesting if you put in the hours. Expect most successful anglers to be running double nymph rigs under indicators, ticking along riffle seams and slow wintering pools. If you’re after that aggressive pre-winter bite, swing or strip a streamer tight to structure in the afternoon.

Best lures and flies for current Yellowstone River conditions:

- Pat’s Rubberleg (brown or black)

- Rainbow Warrior

- Spanish Bullet Perdigon

- Olive or tan Mini Dungeon

- Black or olive Sparkle Minnow

- Parachute BWO or Midge (size 18–20 for the risers)

For bait anglers, nightcrawlers and salmon eggs drifted along the bottom are a classic late-season go-to, especially for deeper runs below Livingston or above Paradise Valley.

Hot spots to try:

- The point just downstream of Carter’s Bridge—lots of good structure and slower water holding post-spawn browns and late-season rainbows.

- Pine Creek access—side channels have been productive, especially mid-day as fish move

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Artificial Lure reporting from the banks of the **Yellowstone River**, Montana, where late fall has settled in with crisp mornings, blustery winds, and fading golden cottonwoods. Sunrise today was at 7:20 AM, and sunset’s due at 4:52 PM. No tides on the Yellowstone itself—just steady natural flows, with current discharge near Livingston running around 1,500 CFS according to Rising Trout Fly Fishing Outfitters. The weather is typical November: low 40s in the morning, heading toward an afternoon high in the upper 40s, wind about 10-15 mph, patchy clouds scudding along, so pack that extra layer—and your bear spray.

Fish activity has been quietly steady. The river’s sliding into its classic winter rhythm, meaning trout are shifting back to **softer, deeper water**—think slow slicks, foam eddies, and big seams. Best action is late morning through midafternoon, as water temps rise just enough to wake things up. You’ll find cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout on the prowl, with browns especially aggressive as their **spawning drive** peaks. Recent catches reported include healthy numbers of 12–16 inch rainbows, the occasional cuttie pushing 18, and a few browns rumored to break the **24-inch mark**, especially out east of Livingston. No monster shockers in the story, but solid numbers for late November.

Hatch-wise, it’s **Blue Winged Olives** front and center—light but reliable daily hatches. You might see midges, especially if the wind calms, and the odd terrestrial or caddis when the day warms. Fish are feeding deep, but a well-presented dry still pulls a rise. Streamer fishing has been top dog with browns gunning for calories: Sculpzillas in black, olive, or brown (sizes 2–10), Sparkle Minnows, and classic Home Invaders. For nymphing, the top producers have been **Pheasant Tails**, Prince nymphs, Pat’s Rubberlegs, and beadhead Perdigons. Dry fly fans should work Parachute Adams or Comparaduns in size 16–20.

Bait anglers, if you’re working a legal stretch, report worms and eggs in the quieter backwaters producing well, but most action is via fly, especially in catch-and-release corridors. Locals swear by “North Fork Specials” for nymphing, and streamer junkies have luck pitching big meat into undercut banks. With water cooling, slow retrieves win—don’t rush the swing!

Hot spots to try:

- **Mill Creek access** just east of Livingston—deep bends, mixed gravel and foam lines.

- The **Carter’s Bridge stretch**—long seams and plenty of structure, plus easier walk-in access.

- If you’re feeling adventurous, push north toward **Springdale**, where browns are holding deep and the BWO hatch lingers a bit later each afternoon.

Wildlife is always a factor; keep an eye out for elk herds crossing early and give space to the last wandering bears.

A few technical pointers: Keep your tippet at 4x or 5x; avoid going too fine as bigger fish are on the move. Use small swivels if you’re chucking spinners to cut line twist, and check your drag before every drift—co

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Artificial Lure here with your Yellowstone River fishing report for Tuesday, November 11, 2025. We’re in classic late-fall mode on the Yellowstone—a favorite time for locals—so here’s the latest so you can plan your trip and put fish in the net.

Weather’s been holding mild for early November—think highs around the low 50s, though mornings kick off chilly in the mid-20s. Today started crisp but should warm up under partly cloudy skies with light southwest winds gusting up to 15 mph. Rain chances are minimal, but a heavier system is set to sweep in later this week, so take advantage of today’s stable conditions while you can. Sunrise was right about 7:13 a.m., and you’ve got until about 4:57 p.m. to fish before dark sets in, so pack that headlamp just in case you get lost in the action.

The Yellowstone River’s in great late-season shape from Gardiner all the way through Paradise Valley and into Livingston, with clear, stable flows. Water temps hover in the mid-40s—a sweet spot keeping fish active throughout the day, especially mid-morning to mid-afternoon.

Let’s talk fish. According to Montana Outdoor Radio Show and local shop gossip, nymphing’s your go-to right now. Smaller stonefly attractors, zebra midges, Spanish bullets, and slim perdigons are all catching plenty of healthy rainbows and browns—it’s not pyrotechnics, but it’s steady catching. The streamer crowd is finding some bruiser browns—mini dungeons, goldies, and sparkle minnows in olive, tan, or rust are hot picks, especially when clouds roll in and light dims. Late in the afternoon, you might catch a window of blue-winged olive mayflies hatching; bring your BWO dries if you like to chase risers on longtime-seasonal traditions.

In terms of numbers, the river isn’t giving up twenty-fish days like summer, but reports of five to eight fish per rod—mostly chunky browns with a few feisty rainbows—are common this week. Most trout are holding in deeper runs, slow edges, and around structure, so focus on seam lines and tailouts. The occasional lucky angler still lands a cutthroat, but they’re fewer this time of year.

Want to fish like a local? Hot spots you don’t want to skip:

- **Mill Creek access:** Lots of structure, less pressure, and a real shot at late-run browns hugging the banks and undercut edges.

- **Carter’s Bridge stretch:** Ideal flows for wading, classic long runs, and pockets stacked with trout this time of year.

Bait isn’t legal for trout on the Yellowstone, so stick with artificial options—nymph rigs under indicators, double nymph set-ups, or slow-stripped streamers. Leader down to 5X for midges and BWOs if you’re fishing dries or picky trout.

Wildlife’s still busy on the river—keep eyes peeled for bald eagles and kingfishers patrolling the riffles, and you might hear elk bugling up in the hills if you arrive at first light, like the folks at Naturalist Journeys often do.

Tide report? No tides here—this is pure Rocky Mountain freestone—but watch out for afternoon wind,

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Artificial Lure here with your Yellowstone River fishing report for Monday, November 10, 2025. Sunrise came at 6:46 AM and will dip behind the horizon around 7:59 PM, giving us more than 13 hours of good daylight for anglers. The weather this morning started crisp and clear—temperature hovering just above 50°F, with a light east-southeast wind barely ruffling the surface. Forecasts call for sun throughout the day, highs near 82°F, and lows a chilly 41°F tonight. Water clarity is excellent thanks to the dry spell, visibility is up, and no precipitation is expected.

No tidal report for the Yellowstone—it's all river, all the time. The air quality is moderate at AQI 2, with no issues for anglers out on the water.

Best fishing windows today, according to Watertemps.com’s activity tables, are early, from 4:50 to 7:20 AM, and again in the evening 8:08 to 10:38 PM. Minor feeding times run 4:14 to 5:44 PM, so consider sticking around for the late-afternoon bite.

Fall fishing is winding down, but winter hasn’t quite set in. The river’s cold nights mean trout are tucking into slower, deeper water—look for browns and rainbows holding in troughs and drop-offs. Anglers over the weekend have reported good numbers on 12-18" browns—some pushing 20"—coming on both nymphs and streamers. Bozeman fly shops confirm persistent browns, a few rainbows, and the stray whitefish or cutthroat if you work enough water.

Best lures and bait: locals are slinging **olive and black woolly buggers**, classic **zonkers**, and **egg patterns** under an indicator. If you’re dead-drifting, the **Prince Nymph** and **Pat’s Rubber Legs** have been money. If you want to swing something bigger, try a **sculpin imitation** (think Mickey Finn or Muddler Minnow), especially as dusk approaches. Gear up with 3X or even 2X tippet if you’re throwing streamers—some of these browns are heavy.

Wade fishermen and floaters have both found success. Bank fishing is productive, especially closer to Livingston and further downstream toward Big Timber. Hot spots include:

- **Carter’s Bridge access** just south of Livingston—shoulders deep, plenty of holding water, and always a shot at a bruiser brown.

- **Pine Creek area**—angles downstream of the creek mouth have produced steady catches, and trout are stacking up where gravel bottoms transition to deeper channels.

Bait anglers: fall and early winter see best results with fresh, cured salmon eggs and crawlers fished deep, especially in slower pools.

Activity overall rates a solid 3 out of 5 today—good enough action for patient anglers who play the conditions. Migrations upstream for spawning are winding down. Reports from Montana Outdoor note a few late-run browns still moving, so target pinch points at the tail of gravel bars.

Wildlife is active along the river corridor; keep an eye out for elk, deer, and the occasional eagle circling for a meal. Just a heads up: localized outbreaks of blue tongue have affected deer populations along the lower Y

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This is Artificial Lure with your Sunday report for the Yellowstone River, Montana, on November 9th, 2025.

We’re waking up to **patchy fog and mostly sunny skies**, with daytime highs expected in the lower 50s according to the National Weather Service for southwestern Yellowstone. The nights are chilly, dipping down into the low 20s, so keep that insulated gear handy. Sunrise was at 7:17 AM, and you can expect sunset right around 4:54 PM, giving you just under ten hours of daylight to work the water. No tidal activity to report—Yellowstone’s a flowing mountain river, but water levels are **low and clear**, just right for some stealthy angling.

**Fish activity is solid for November**, with browns wrapping up their annual spawn and rainbows starting to feed heavy. As Montana Outdoor notes, streamer fishing and small nymphs are producing best right now, especially in slower seams and deeper runs. Bait isn’t your best bet today—artificial lures and flies are the real ticket, and many sections have artificial-only regs. Bundle up! The cold’s keeping the crowds thin, so you may have stretches of the river all to yourself.

Recent catches around the Yellowstone have featured **brown trout in the 16–21” range**, some pushing up to 24", plus plenty of robust rainbows in similar slots. Local guide chatter echoes Montana Outdoor Radio Show’s rundown: streamer action for post-spawn browns, and rainbows moving into shallow riffles and tailouts, with the odd cutthroat mixed in closer to tributaries.

**Best lures and flies:**

- Sculpin and white minnow streamer patterns fished on a sink-tip line are getting aggressive strikes, especially on cloudy afternoons.

- Small black or olive woolly buggers and flashy articulated streamers are working near undercut banks.

- For nymphing, try a #16–#18 beadhead pheasant tail or a micro stonefly under an indicator.

- If you prefer dries, the bite is slow, but mid-afternoon midge hatches may bring some trout topside—think Griffith’s Gnat or a parachute Adams in #20.

For those who swear by bait, worms and salmon eggs might work in nearby lakes like Dailey Lake, but on the Yellowstone proper, you’ll do better sticking to artificial lures and flies. The November chill also means slower metabolism for fish, so keep retrieves **sluggish and close to the bottom**.

**Hot spots today:**

- Between **Livingston and Emigrant**: This stretch holds deeper runs and classic gravel seams; reliable for browns cleaning up after spawn and rainbows on the move.

- Near **Pine Creek Fishing Access Site**: Catch the rainbow action in tailouts—less pressured water, plenty of footing.

- The **mouth of Shield’s River**: Look for cuts and bows feeding early and late in the day; try tossing big streamers tight to structure.

No big walleye reports from the Yellowstone (they’re deep and sluggish at Fort Peck and Canyon Ferry, per Montana Outdoor), but trout are still prowling shorelines. Hunt for water with overhead cover—fallen cottonwood bran

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Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River fishing report for Saturday, November 8, 2025.

Clear, cold air and golden cottonwoods made for a postcard morning out here on the Yellowstone. Locals woke to a sunrise just past 7:09 a.m., and we’ll see sunset wrapping things up around 5:00 p.m. Temps hit the upper 30s early, climbing toward the low 40s with only a light breeze—prime for that late fall swing according to MountainWeather and Don Day’s Wyoming Forecast. There’s no tide in these mountain rivers, so anglers are letting water temp and bug activity set the rhythm.

Recent rains last week raised flows just a tick. Water clarity is good, with those famed Yellowstone hues shining against the rocky runs. With night temperatures dipping toward the teens, expect the morning bite a bit sluggish, but things liven up as the water warms midday. According to Montana Outdoor’s fishing report from October 27, it’s all about cold mornings, clear water—and hungry browns on the move.

Now to the action: The fall BWO (Blue Wing Olive) hatch is in its twilight, but midges are showing, especially late morning into early afternoon. Browns are off their major spawn push but still fired up, taking streamers and nymphs aggressively. Rainbows remain active in deeper pools. Recent reports up by Livingston say streamer anglers are moving solid browns—16-20 inch fish have been caught in the float stretch between Pine Creek and Carter’s Bridge. Swinging olive or black articulated streamers got hits, while double nymph rigs with smaller rubber-legs, CDC pheasant tails, and zebra midges turned up rainbows consistently. Word from Montana Angler suggests fall-run browns are leaving the lakes and coming on strong in these river stretches.

No official creel checks this week, but guides report a mixed bag: “Steady eats” on both nymphs and streamers, especially as the sun pops out midday. A few cutthroat trout have been caught below Yankee Jim, and an occasional late-season whitefish puts a bend in the rod before winter sets in. Walleye action downstream near Big Timber is slow but steady for the patient—slow-rolling jigs or tossing a fathead minnow might do the trick.

Local wisdom puts the day’s “hot spot” at the Paradise Valley stretch between Mill Creek and Mallard’s Rest—here, the river bends slow and deep, perfect for float fishing or swinging big buggers tight to the bank. Another spot coming alive is the Shields River confluence, where colder water pulls big predators out from the main current.

Best lures today: For fly anglers, go with a size 8-10 olive or black woolly bugger, white streamer for flash, or small tungsten bead-head nymphs like zebra midges in size 16-18. If you’re tackling gear, small silver or gold spinners, Rapala Countdowns, or even soft plastics on a light jig head have all tricked trout this week. Natural bait is restricted in many upper stretches, but downriver, nightcrawlers and fathead minnows still produce for spin anglers targeting deeper ho

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This is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River fishing report for November 7th, 2025.

The Yellowstone’s running cold this morning. Sunrise came at 7:08 AM with sunset expected at 5:03 PM, making for a solid window of daylight to work the water. No tidal movement here—Yellowstone’s a big freestone, so flow depends on runoff and weather more than any saltwater push.

We’ve got classic November conditions. According to Mountain Weather, expect highs in the low 40s, dropping into the teens at night. Cold fronts have rolled through with some snow at higher elevations, which dusted Paradise Valley midweek and brought a few slide-offs to park roads, as reported by Montana Outdoor. Winds are breezy, moving west at 10-15 mph, so layer up. The National Weather Service says precipitation today will mostly be rain and snow showers, tapering off in the afternoon, then clearing tonight.

River flows remain below average but are slowly improving after a dry summer, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The water is cold and clear, with some shelf ice starting to form in the slow bends. Fish are getting sluggish but haven’t shut down yet. Early mornings are pretty slow; the best action picks up mid-morning through about 2 PM, especially on the lower river sections.

Recent reports from Bozeman Fly Supply and Montana Outdoor say the bite’s been classic fall fare: anglers are still finding solid numbers of **brown trout** in the 14–20 inch range, with the occasional bigger buck showing fall colors. Rainbows are scattered but will take a well-presented drift. Whitefish are stacked deep in the tailouts and biting well—good action for folks looking for numbers.

Your best shot is nymphing deep runs with stoneflies (think Pat’s Rubber Legs), smaller beadhead patterns like **pheasant tails** and *zebra midges*, size 16–20. With bugs sparse on the surface, streamer fishing has been most productive for browns—dark-bodied streamers like black or olive **Sculpzillas** and **woolly buggers** moved slow and low. On bright days, switch to white for that flash in the cold water. Egg patterns are also producing, as the whitefish spawn continues—try a bright Orange Otter Egg or similar.

Not much dry fly game this week, but if you see midday midges, tie on a #20 Griffith’s Gnat in the eddies. For bait anglers where legal, worms fished on the bottom tempt sluggish trout, but check local regs—Yellowstone mandates artificial-only in many stretches.

Two hot spots worth a look:

- **Emigrant Access:** Browns are stacked around the gravel bars and slower side channels. The deep troughs along the eastern bank are holding pods of rainbows if you can nail the presentation.

- **Pine Creek Bridge:** Consistent action for both trout and whitefish. Hit the tailouts with nymph rigs, especially once temps rise late morning.

Park access is still fine, but icy banks mean watch your footing. Watch for bison moving down toward the river as Park Service activity increases for winter herd

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Yellowstone River’s in top late-fall form this Thursday, November 6th, folks. Air’s crisp this morning—rain and snow swept through last night, and we’ve woken to 28 degrees in Livingston, with predictions near 44 for the high. The forecast calls for more sun than clouds through midday, then a chilly breeze and maybe even a light flurry late, just a reminder Montana’s winter isn’t waiting long. Last light drops quick this season—sunrise hit at 7:01 AM, sunset will be 4:56 PM, so there’s not as much time as you think to make those casts count.

Tidal action isn’t a concern up here, but water levels have bumped a touch from the recent moisture. The river’s running cold, clear, and just a hair higher than last week, perfect for getting those browns fired up. Montana Outdoor reports golden leaves still clinging riverside, and—despite winter’s knocking—for those willing to layer up, it’s prime trout country till the deeper freeze sets in.

Fish are on the move: browns are staging and spawning in the riffles, while rainbows hunt actively in slower, deeper runs. Wolf Creek Angler says blue-winged olives (BWOs) are popping mid-morning to afternoon—if you see noses breaking the film, tie on a #18 BWO dry or a small parachute Adams and get ready. Nymphing with small beadhead pheasant tails, lightning bugs, or zebra midges has been steady, especially near cutbanks and inside corners where fish are conserving energy. If the clouds settle in and the light dims, strip a black or olive streamer through those shady seams; the big browns won’t hesitate. Streamers like sculpzillas and Sparkle Minnows in olive/black or white are getting slammed. Don’t overlook dead-drifted smaller rubberlegs or copper johns either.

Some anglers fishing near Big Timber and Springdale have been landing chunky rainbows up to 18 inches on nymph rigs, and the odd brown over 20 inches keeps spirits—and stories—alive at the local fly shops. The action’s been described as solid, but you’ve got to dial in the depth and work for them as water temps fall into the low 40s. Bait anglers (downstream from Livingston where regs allow) are doing best with nightcrawlers or a fat chunk of worm drifted under a split shot, with some reports of late-season walleyes still holding in deep pools, but trout remain the main ticket.

Best hot spots today? Point your rig to the “Grey Bear” access near Emigrant for streamer action, especially if the clouds hold. Down closer to Pine Creek’s confluence, nymphing’s been the go-to, with dependable numbers. Mid-river islands and around gravel-drop-offs are holding fish in both shallow tailouts and in the first deep bends below.

To sum it up: layer up, rig up, and work those seams. BWOs if the hatch is on, small beadhead nymphs when it’s quiet, and beefy streamers for the aggressive takes. Worms and small spoons work in lower river sections if regulations allow.

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Artificial Lure, reporting in from the banks of the Yellowstone River here in Montana on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. Sunrise came at 7:23 this morning and we’ll see sunset right around 4:38 this afternoon—short days, chilly air, and enough golden cottonwoods left to remind us autumn’s still here, for now. The weather’s been unusually mild for early November, with daytime highs in the lower 70s and overnight lows in the mid-40s, according to Emigrant weather reports. Some passing clouds and a 40% chance of occasional rain mean you’ll want to keep a rain shell handy. Winds are out of the south at 9 to 10 mph, with gusts possible into the afternoon, especially through Paradise Valley.

No tides to worry about out here—that’s one less thing to keep your mind on; just focus on flows and weather. River levels are holding steady after recent rains, with slightly higher flows sparking some extra bug activity and keeping trout on the prowl.

Fish activity’s been solid this week. Around Livingston, river temps have dropped and blue-winged olive hatches are thick enough to keep both browns and rainbows feeding, especially during cloudy afternoons. Word from Montana Outdoor says the bite flipped with the colder weather and the browns especially are getting aggressive, with several good-sized fish landed around Mallard’s Rest and Pine Creek. A local caught a beautiful 20-inch brown Tuesday afternoon using a streamer, reported by the editorial staff at Coastal Angler Magazine. Rainbows are working seams and softer water—expect strikes on nymphs and the odd dry. Late-season walleye are still being found downstream near Duck Creek and the Silos, but it’s slow going and patience is key for those golden catches.

Best lures right now? Locals are running olive or black streamers—think Woolly Buggers, Zonkers, and sculpin imitations. If you’re fly fishing, keep blue-winged olive and midge patterns handy. For spinning gear, small spoons and Panther Martin spinners in gold or black are working well as the trout move up into the shallows to feed on smaller fish and insects. Nymphers are cleaning up with beadhead prince nymphs, hare’s ears, and copper Johns. For bait, it’s tough to beat fresh nightcrawlers—rainbow and brown trout are hitting them hard in the deeper cuts, especially early morning or dusk.

Yellowstone’s not just about trout, though. Paddlefish season is long closed, but if you’re dreaming for next year, that action runs May 15 to June 15 in the lower river, with yellow tags and a shared harvest cap between Missouri and Yellowstone. Bring a stout rod and get ready to snag deep—GearJunkie reminds us these prehistoric giants are a true Montana trophy, some topping the scales at 60 pounds or more.

As for hot spots, locals recommend:

- Pine Creek, just upstream of Livingston—good access, plenty of structure, and reliable fall hatches.

- Mallard’s Rest for streamer tossers; big browns lurk near the drop-offs.

- Duck Creek area if you’re targeting l

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