Stillwater River Fishing Report
This report is valid from July 7 through July.
The Stillwater is bigger than the Boulder and smaller than the Yellowstone and about splits the difference in terms of fishing tactics. It is currently at a good level upstream from Absarokee, but still a touch high downstream. The tributary that enters in Absarokee, the Rosebud, tends to carry a lot more dirty water than most tribs until fairly late in the summer. Look for flows to drop to under 1500cfs for the lower to fish well. We like it best when it gets really bony, around 500cfs.
Up higher, fish Chubby Chernobyls or similar with stonefly or attractor nymph droppers. Look for caddis and Yellow Sally hatches. If the fishing near the surface is slow, don’t hesitate to tie on the bobber.
If you do opt to float the lower river, streamers in the bankside pockets will be a good bet.
Keep an eye on water temps. They yo-yo hugely here, especially below Absarokee. Sometimes the water might be 58 first thing in the morning and over 70 at 5:00PM. If you’ve got that kind of temperature curve, stop fishing between 2:00 and 3:00. Hoot owls seem likely by August 1.
Learn more about fishing the Stillwater River.
Learn more about our float trips, including those on the Stillwater.
Stillwater River Streamflow Data
This gauge is located in Absarokee, downstream from the confluence with Rosebud Creek. Significant irrigation diversions occur between the gauge and the Yellowstone, and water temps rise. If water temps are exceeding 70 degrees at the gauge, we suggest quitting no later than 2:00PM downstream. The water upstream is generally colder.
Flows over 4000cfs get sketchy above Absarokee. Flows 4000-2000 are best floated above Absarokee. 2000-1200 are good everywhere. 1200-800 are best below Absarokee but doable above. 800-450 are doable downstream of Absarokee, with the precise cutoff between 500 and 450 depending on how much weight is in your raft and how willing you are to drag the boat through shallow areas.
Stillwater River – Flow
Stillwater River – Water Temperature
Stillwater River Fishing Report Links
Note: We update our general fishing report far more often than our fishery-specific reports like this one, especially between November and April.
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