Yellowstone River, Montana Fishing Report Today

Artificial Lure here with your Yellowstone River fishing roundup for June 21st, 2025. We’re rolling into summer, runoff’s on the tail end, and the fishing buzz is picking up from Livingston to inside the park.

The river’s finally on a steady drop, running at about 8,400 CFS near Livingston and water temperatures holding between 56–61°F according to Yellowstone Angler. Visibility is coming back—still not gin-clear, but a foot or two in most spots, which is all you need for some strong action on both dries and streamers. Wade fishing will test your legs with these flows, but the drift boat crowd is getting into ‘em.

Sunrise hit at 5:36 AM and sunset’s about 9:14 PM, so you’ve got plenty of daylight to work your favorite runs and seams. There’s no tidal influence here, just watch those afternoon winds and the lingering color from upstream storms.

Caddis and March brown mayflies are all over, making the back eddies and foam lines your best friends, especially with the river a bit off-color. Fish are rising strong midday, with the best hatches and surface activity from late morning through afternoon, and streamer tossers are banging up quality bows and browns along the bank edges. If we get another burst of rain, expect a short shutdown, but when clarity returns, get ready for lights-out dry fly fishing.

On the menu this week:

- Dries like hi-vis elk hair caddis, X caddis, stimulators, Purple Haze, and parachute Adams in sizes 12–16.

- Nymphs such as rubberlegs, perdigons, jig baetis, caddis emergers, and squirmy wormies have been producing, especially off the dropper behind a larger dry.

- Streamers—think dark and articulated—are still drawing chases, notably Sparkle Minnows, black dungeons, and sculpin patterns.

Recent catches have been solid, with rainbows and browns in the 14–20 inch range reported near Carter’s Bridge and Paradise Valley. There’s also the occasional big fish making headlines, like Chad Lillie’s “fish of a lifetime” last weekend, as posted by Yellowstone Angler.

Hot spots right now include:

- Carter’s Bridge down through Paradise Valley for a mix of float and wade action with consistent bug activity.

- Town stretches around Livingston for accessible, productive water and hungry post-runoff trout.

For bait anglers downstream from the park boundary, worms and cutbait can pull in smallmouth bass, goldeye, and catfish. Note from the MT DEQ: there’s a consumption advisory on shorthead redhorse suckers from Reed Point to Columbus, but that’s not a target species for most anglers.

So, grab your caddis box, something meaty to swing along the bank, and a solid leader—the Yellowstone’s shaping up fast for a classic early summer session.

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Yellowstone River anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Friday, June 20, 2025, fishing report for Montana’s big water. The Yellowstone is on the drop after a long, turbulent runoff, finally showing a glimmer of fishability around Livingston and upstream. Flows are still high—holding near 9,000 cfs—but visibility is steadily improving with temps running 55-61°F. We’re in that narrow “hero or zero” window, where persistence can turn a tough day into a memorable one, especially for the trophy chasers. Big fish get bold when the water’s murky, so don’t be shy about working those banks and seams hard.

Sunrise hit at 5:33 AM this morning with sunset rolling in at 9:17 PM, giving you a full Montana day on the water. No tide to mind up here—Yellowstone’s a free-flowing beast—but stick to the late morning through early afternoon for your best shot at hatches and rising fish, especially if the skies stay overcast or we see a pop-up storm blow through, which fires up the bite according to Dan Bailey’s fly shop.

The most action right now is coming on caddis and PMDs, with March browns poking around in the mix. Dry fly aficionados should reach for Hi-vis Elk Hair Caddis and X-Caddis in sizes 12-16, Stimulators, Purple Haze, and the ever-reliable Parachute Adams. Dries are picking up fish in back eddies and foamy pockets, particularly when you find a hatch stacking up. For nymphers, it’s a rubberlegs and worm show: stonefly nymphs, especially big dark patterns, have been the ticket in these pushy flows, along with Tung Jig Princes, Perdigons, and CDC Caddis Pupae. Squirmy Wormies get the nod for a reason—don’t leave the truck without ‘em.

If you’re a streamer junkie, bring the meat. Large, dark articulated patterns like Black Leadeye Stingers or Sex Dungeons, Sparkle Minnows, and McCune Sculpins are accounting for some surprise hits, especially from the bank-hugging browns and hungry rainbows waiting for the sediment to settle. Early risers have also found pods of smallmouth stacking up deep, and a few walleye in the 50s were reported last week near town, per Montana Outdoor.

The northeast park rivers—Lamar, Soda Butte, and Slough Creek—are still high and off-color, but flows are dropping fast. Look for those to pop open in the coming weeks, along with the classic Yellowstone cutthroat runs. Hot spots right now include the Carter’s Bridge stretch for big brown trout and the side channels near Emigrant for productive dry-dropper fishing. If you want a bit of solitude and a crack at numbers, hit the backwaters and eddies south of Livingston where caddis are thick.

That’s all for today’s rundown. Thanks for tuning in to the Yellowstone River report—remember to subscribe and stay dialed in for next week’s scoop. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River fishing report for June 18, 2025.

We’re sitting right in the heart of Montana’s classic early-summer transition. Runoff is starting to settle, but the river’s still running a bit high and off-color—especially near Corwin Springs, where flows are around 8,470 CFS according to The Rivers Edge. Water clarity can shift quickly, so keep an eye on those gauges or swing by a local fly shop for up-to-the-minute info. Early mornings and late afternoons are offering the most productive windows, with cloudy skies giving way to some afternoon sun, and mild winds drifting over Paradise Valley. Sunrise is about 5:45 am, sunset near 8:45 pm—ample daylight for a long float or a couple of hike-in sessions.

With runoff tapering, fish activity has really picked up when weather and water allow. Browns and rainbows are feeding well, with cutthroat showing up as you move upstream toward Yankee Jim Canyon and the park boundary. Most catches have been in the 12-18 inch range, but persistent anglers are occasionally connecting with bigger browns, especially around those deeper, boulder-strewn stretches from Livingston up to the canyon. According to Montana Outdoor, anglers have been having “excellent” days when flows clear between storms, and the bite really picks up just as the river starts to drop after a spike.

For fly selection, it’s a classic June lineup. PMDs and caddis are still the workhorses, with dry fly action picking up in the middle of the day—Dan Bailey’s Fly Shop reports that PMDs, caddis, and big drakes are getting fish up on top, especially when there’s cloud cover. If you want steady numbers, prospect with large stonefly nymphs, rubber legs, and worms. For dry-dropper rigs, try a chubby Chernobyl up top with a beadhead dropper—pheasant tail, zebra midge, or a small caddis pupa. On the still-murky edges, don’t be afraid to swing a streamer or strip a woolly bugger—especially with some color in the water. Spin anglers are finding success with small spoons and in-line spinners, especially in deeper runs.

Best hot spots today? Focus on Paradise Valley from Emigrant to Livingston for steady, accessible action and the upper river from Gardiner through Yankee Jim Canyon for bigger wild fish and fewer crowds. If you’re looking for solitude, hit the side channels and gravel bars in the early morning, and move as other boats show up.

As a reminder, there’s currently no tidal influence on the Yellowstone—just classic Rocky Mountain runoff and river flows to monitor. No new fish consumption advisories outside of the usual: avoid eating shorthead redhorse suckers from Reed Point to Columbus, especially for young children and women of childbearing age, as per the latest Montana Department of Environmental Quality update.

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Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure bringing you today's fishing report from the mighty Yellowstone River in Montana.

The Stone is dropping fast with the cold weather, but the fishing prospects are looking up. We're still deep in runoff season, with conditions shifting daily. Water levels remain high and murky in spots, but windows of fishability are appearing as temperatures have cooled slightly since the start of the week.

Weather-wise, we're seeing cloudy skies early with a chance for afternoon sun and mild winds through Paradise Valley today. Sunrise was at 5:45 am and sunset will be about 8:45 pm—giving you plenty of daylight for working those gravel bars.

Fish activity has been picking up whenever the river settles. Anglers have been landing browns and rainbows with a few cutthroats mixed in, especially in stretches from Livingston through Yankee Jim Canyon. Most catches are running 12 to 18 inches, with occasional bigger browns lurking around deeper runs and boulders.

For tackle, big stonefly nymphs are your best bet right now—think Girdle Bugs, Minch Stones, or 20-Inchers in sizes 4-10. Try trailing these with #10-12 attractor nymphs like Princes or Bead, Hare, and Copper patterns. Streamers are working well too, with Woolly Buggers tied on jig hooks producing strikes. Keep your eyes peeled for stonefly hatches—we might see some dry fly action soon if conditions continue to improve.

If you're looking for alternatives while the Yellowstone settles, Dailey Lake has been fishing well in the early mornings before the wind kicks up—you can catch fish right from shore. Hyalite offers spectacular scenery and good fishing using lake midge larva imitations under an indicator.

Hot spots today include the Lower Gardner between Mammoth Hot Springs and Gardiner, which is running clearer than usual for early June. Fit anglers with strong wading skills can pull fish from bankside pockets where there's at least a foot of visibility.

Remember, spring flows can be dangerous even on smaller creeks, so exercise caution when wading. Current flow in Livingston was around 14,500 CFS last week but has been dropping with the cooler weather.

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Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River fishing report for Sunday, June 1, 2025.

The Yellowstone’s in classic runoff right now—flows are high, running about 16,000 CFS around Livingston after last week’s warm spell, and water’s got a good bit of color from all that snowmelt coming out of the high country. That means you’ll want to focus your efforts on those windows after any dips in the flow or when water starts to clear up a tick, and always keep an eye on the gauges before heading out. No tides here, just snowmelt and unpredictable currents, but if you hit that sweet spot after a flow drop, you could be in for some solid action.

Today’s weather is lining up for a mostly cloudy start with some clearing and mild wind by the afternoon, setting the stage for comfortable casting. Sunrise was at 5:45 am, with sunset not until 8:45 pm—plenty of time to cover water and explore a few new runs.

Even with tough runoff, fish have been active when the river settles. Anglers working the edges and slower seams are finding browns, rainbows, and cutthroats, especially up through Yankee Jim Canyon and the Paradise Valley stretch down to Livingston, as reported by Montana Angler and Dan Bailey’s Fly Shop. Most fish caught lately have been in the 12” to 18” range, with the occasional larger brown showing up near deeper holes and behind big rocks.

For flies and lures, think big and bright to match the “Montana dirty” water. Dead-drift stonefly nymphs—like Girdle Bugs or 20-Inchers—in size 4 to 10, trailed with a #10–12 Prince Nymph or Bead Hare’s Ear, are producing. If you’re fishing gear, try gold or black spinners near slow pockets. Woolly Buggers on a sink tip can move big fish when worked tight to the bank or in those deeper seams. No dry fly hatches of note yet with the cold, off-colored water, so keep your bugs under the surface.

Best bait for bait anglers will be nightcrawlers drifted right along the bottom, especially in those deeper, slower pockets and eddies.

A couple of hot spots you’ll want to check out: The stretch from Gardiner through Yankee Jim Canyon offers pockets and structure where trout tuck in to get out of the current, while Emigrant through Paradise Valley to Livingston is more forgiving for floating or bank fishing and has been producing consistently for those willing to cover water.

Yellowstone River’s running big and bold—pick your windows and work those banks and inside bends. Don’t forget, a local guide can help you dial in the safest and most productive stretches this time of year.

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Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River report for May 31, 2025.

We’re right in the thick of spring runoff here on the ‘Stone. The river has been all over the map the last few days—recent cool spells dropped the flows and cleared things up just enough for solid fishing, but with warmer weather on tap, expect those flows to spike and the water to get muddy again soon. Today, the river near Livingston sits just under 7,000 cfs. It’s fishable—and probably your last good shot for a couple weeks, so seize the day before true runoff shuts things down until later in June, according to Sweetwater Fly Shop and Gallatin River Guides.

Weather-wise, you’ll want to layer up. We’ve got cloudy skies this morning, mild winds, and a slight chance of afternoon sun. Sunrise hit at 5:45 am, and you’ve got daylight until about 8:45 pm, so there’s plenty of time to fish every corner and eddy. No tides here, just classic fast current—wade carefully and mind your footing, especially as flows run high and cold.

Fish activity has been steady when the river drops and clears. Anglers have been bringing in healthy browns, rainbows, and the occasional cutthroat, mainly between Livingston and Yankee Jim Canyon. Most fish are running 12 to 18 inches, with the possibility of hooking that bigger brown if you stick to the deeper seams and boulder runs. The bite has been best during those windows when the river is dropping and color gets that ideal “greenish” tint, as Montana Outdoor notes.

With no major bug hatches right now, you’ll want to focus on nymphs and streamers. Streamer fishing is the go-to—dead drifting or swinging darker patterns like black, olive, or brown leech imitations has been getting takes, especially on overcast days. For nymphing, dark rubberlegs and leech patterns paired with a smaller baetis or midge dropper will put fish in the net. If the sun pops out, don’t be afraid to throw a flashier, lighter streamer or nymph. Paradise Valley spring creeks are also fishing well if you crave technical dry fly work—good baetis and midge hatches have the trout looking up on those creeks.

Looking for hot spots? Target the stretch from Emigrant up through Paradise Valley for consistent action, or brave the pocketwater and deeper runs of Yankee Jim Canyon if you want solitude and the chance for a big brown in wild water. Don’t overlook the first few miles below Gardiner for great scenery and willing fish, just be cautious in the canyons—flows can be tricky.

As always, check local gauges before heading out, and keep an eye on rising water. That window is closing fast.

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# Yellowstone River Fishing Report - May 30, 2025

Howdy folks, Artificial Lure here with your Friday morning fishing report for the gorgeous Yellowstone River. It's shaping up to be a beautiful late spring day here in Montana.

## Current Conditions

The sun rose about an hour ago at 5:45 AM, giving us that golden morning light that makes the river shine. We're expecting a high of 72 degrees today with light winds from the southwest. Sunset will be at 9:05 PM, so you've got plenty of daylight left for after-work fishing.

The river is running clear in most sections with a slight stain after yesterday's brief shower. Water temperatures are holding steady at 54-56°F, which has the fish active and feeding.

## What's Biting

The Yellowstone cutthroat trout are absolutely on fire this week! These beautiful natives are the dominant species in the upper river and have been hitting consistently in the morning and evening hours. The westslope cutthroat population is smaller but anglers have reported good success in the Gallatin and Madison river drainages.

Mountain whitefish are also active, especially in deeper runs. Several anglers reported catching 15-20 inch specimens this past week. For those exploring the lower sections of the river, some lucky folks have been connecting with smallmouth bass below Laurel.

## Hot Spots

If you're after those prized Yellowstone cutthroats, head to the Blue Ribbon trout section in the upper river. The stretch between Gardiner and Livingston has been particularly productive this week.

For a more secluded experience, try the Lamar River and Slough Creek areas where longnose suckers and cutthroats are sharing the water. These spots are a bit less pressured than the main river.

## Tackle Tips

Dry flies are working magic in the morning - caddis patterns and small mayfly imitations in sizes 14-16 have been the ticket. As the day warms up, switch to nymphs like copper johns and prince nymphs, fished deep in the runs.

For those targeting smallmouth downstream, twin-spin lures and small crawfish imitations have been productive. Don't overlook homemade agate lures if you're feeling creative - they've been known to entice the local fish population, especially those gold eye that'll hit just about anything shiny.

Remember that Yellowstone has adopted a barbless hook rule to reduce handling time and injury to the fish. Also, footgear with absorbent felt is prohibited to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

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Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Yellowstone River fishing report for May 28, 2025.

We’re in the thick of spring runoff season on the Yellowstone River, and flows have been up and down lately after some recent rains. As of today, the river is at a fishable level with enough clarity to make a day on the water worthwhile, but conditions can change quickly so always check the latest gauges before you launch. This could be one of the last good windows to fish the river before flows get too high and muddy, so make the most of it while you can.

Sunrise today is around 5:45 am and sunset is about 8:45 pm, giving you a long day to chase fish up and down the river. No tides to worry about here, but keep an eye on the river current and be cautious if you’re wading—she can rise quickly during the runoff.

Weather is starting out cloudy with the chance for some afternoon sun and mild winds running through Paradise Valley. Bring your layers and a raincoat just in case, but it should be a pleasant, cool May day.

As for the fishing itself, nymphs and streamers are the top producers right now as there isn’t much of a hatch going on in the main river. Dark-colored rubber legs, leeches, and dead-drifted streamers are pulling in some nice browns and rainbows, with a few cutthroats in the mix. Most fish are running 12 to 18 inches, but there’s always the chance for a bigger brown if you stick with it around the deep runs and boulder pockets. On brighter days, go with lighter and flashier streamer patterns, but when it’s cloudy like today, tie on something dark and subtle for the best results. Not seeing much dry fly action in the river itself, but if you sneak over to the Paradise Valley spring creeks, you’ll find some midge and baetis hatches, especially in the afternoon and evening.

Hot spots this week have been the stretch from Livingston up through Yankee Jim Canyon and the slower edges below Carbella. Also, keep an eye on the spring creeks for some quality sight-fishing if the main river gets too muddy.

Best of luck out there anglers. Fish the dropping flows and target those soft edges for your best shot. Stay safe and tight lines.

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Good morning, this is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River fishing report for May 26, 2025.

We are deep into runoff season here in Paradise Valley, and the Yellowstone River’s flows have been bouncing around after the recent rains. Over the past week we’ve seen flows spike as high as 18,000 cfs but thanks to a cool spell, flows have now dropped to just over 8,000 cfs with about 18 to 24 inches of visibility. That means there are still windows of opportunity for anglers willing to watch the gauges and time their trip right. If you see the graph taking a steep drop, that’s your green light—just be careful, as the river is still pushing a lot of water and debris downstream and wading is challenging in places. Always scout for new hazards before you set out[3][1].

Expect weather to be cloudy in the morning with some pockets of afternoon sun and breezy conditions. Sunrise is at 5:45 am, sunset around 8:45 pm—plenty of daylight to find fishy water. No tides to worry about, just managing the spring flows. The river clarity can change quickly, so keep checking, but today it’s fishable on select stretches[1][3].

Fish have remained active in the clear water periods. Browns and rainbows have made up most of the catch, with a few cutthroat showing around Livingston clear into Yankee Jim Canyon. Most fish have been in the 12 to 18 inch range, but some bigger browns have been landed near deeper runs and boulders. There’s been no major hatch to speak of—nymphing and streamer fishing continues to be the name of the game[1][2].

Best lures and flies for today are dark-colored rubber legs, leeches, sculpin patterns, and small streamers like olive or black buggers. If the sky brightens, switch to lighter or flashier patterns. Dead drifting a streamer or slow-stripping leeches around tailouts and gravel bars has paid off. Nymphing with scuds, sowbugs, or baetis and midge nymphs under an indicator is also producing fish if you find a slower shelf or seam. Dry fly action is limited but if you’re on the spring creeks nearby, you’ll see midges in the morning and decent baetis in the afternoon and evening[2][5].

For hot spots, I’d focus on the stretch from Livingston to Emigrant, especially near Carter’s Bridge, or try the boulder-strewn runs above Yankee Jim Canyon. In higher water, fish push closer to the banks—target slower seams right off the current and near drop-offs[1][3].

To sum up, fish the dropping flows while they last, use dark nymphs or streamers, and work the softer water near the banks. Watch your footing, keep an eye out for rising water, and enjoy what’s shaping up to be some prime late spring fishing on the Yellowstone. Good luck and tight lines out there.

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Good morning, this is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River fishing report for May 25, 2025.

We’re deep in the heart of spring runoff season here along the Yellowstone. Recent rains and a fast warmup pushed river flows up close to 18000 cfs last week, but with cooler weather this weekend, we’re now seeing the river holding steady just over 8000 cfs. Water clarity has improved to about 18 to 24 inches—plenty for some decent fishing, though it remains on the high and off-color side. Make sure to check conditions day-of, since runoff flows can jump up after any rainfall[3][1].

Weather today is off to a cloudy start, with a good chance for some sunny breaks in the afternoon and a light breeze along Paradise Valley. Sunrise was right around 5:45 am, so most folks are already on the water, and sunset will be about 8:45 pm—giving you ample daylight for an evening hatch, if we get one[1]. No tides on the Yellowstone, so just pay attention to those river currents.

The fish have been active when the river settles, and this past week anglers caught a nice mix of brown and rainbow trout, with a few cutthroats showing up too. Most fish have been between 12 and 18 inches, and persistent anglers found some bigger browns tucked near deep boulder runs and cutbanks. Lately, the stretches from Livingston upstream through Yankee Jim Canyon have produced steady action, and the mouth of Mill Creek is another solid bet[1][3].

With nothing major hatching, the bite remains best on nymphs and streamers. Stonefly nymphs, big rubberlegs, and San Juan worms are moving plenty of fish, especially with a dropper of smaller beadhead nymphs in the softer seams. For streamer fans, black and olive patterns or big articulated flies fished on a sink-tip are getting good grabs, especially near banks and slower water pockets. Not much dry fly activity yet, but keep an eye out for sporadic caddis in the afternoons[2].

Hot spots right now include the Paradise Valley access points between Carter’s Bridge and Pine Creek, and up around Yankee Jim for those looking for some solitude and willing to hike. Be mindful of new debris and changing river channels after the recent high water—safety first, especially if floating[3][1].

That’s it for today from Artificial Lure. With flows dropping, clarity improving, and fish on the feed, it’s a great time to get after it before the next spike. Tight lines out there!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.