Yellowstone River Fishing Report

This Yellowstone River fishing report is valid from February 15 through early March, 2026

Because of the record-warm winter, the Yellowstone River is far more fishable than it usually is at this time. While some ice is present, most stretches are entirely floatable if you feel the itch on a warm day. Float a short stretch and do most of your fishing on foot in the big pools.

With water temps regularly exceeding 40 degrees and plenty of sunlight getting into the water, larger flies (including stonefly nymphs and streamers) and some dry fly fishing are possible almost any day. You should still carry your midge box, but I would not start there. Your big fish in particular are going to want meat, and this preference will only strengthen as we get firmly into prespawn season for the rainbows. If I was walking up to a favorite walking-speed run about chest-deep, I’d tie on a tan/black Jig Girdle Bug trailing a pale pink egg to start with, and I might never change.

• Hatches: Midges and BWO on warmer, calmer afternoons, especially when it’s cloudy. Look for the best emergences near warm water sources like the Gardner River. Midges might cluster up in the foamy eddies on the east (sunny and thus warmer) side of the river.
• Dry Flies: #18-20 Hazy Cripples (copper and purple are both working), #18 Parachute Adams, various #18-20 grayish Baetis patterns, Griffith’s Gnat, Parachute Midge Emergers.
• Nymphs & Wets: #4 to #10 Girdle Bugs and other stoneflies, big pink or tricolor San Juan Worms (most effective when the water gets slightly off-color), #16 pink egg flies, #18 Radiation Baetis, #18 PT Little Green Machine, #18 Sunkist Baetis, #18 WD-40.
• Streamers: Woolly Buggers and other generic, buggy flies that look good fished on a slow drag. It’s still a bit early for the big, slinky streamers to work, but I would have some olive and black Scleeches or Baby Gongas.

Learn more about fishing the Yellowstone River (in Montana).

Info about our float trips, a majority of which take place on the Yellowstone.

Info about our Montana walk & wade trips, which in winter and early spring take place on the Yellowstone.

Yellowstone River Streamflow Data

Sudden spikes on the Corwin Spring gauge suggest mud is on the way. Fish further downstream. Also check the gauges on the Yellowstone Park page for the Lamar River and Gardner River, as these also show mud coming into the Yellowstone. When water temps are peaking over 22 degrees Celsius (a bit over 70F), we suggest quitting by 2:00PM. Mandatory closures begin when flows are hitting 73F (22.75C).

The graphs are presented from upstream to down. For more granular data, check out the new USGS Montana Streamflow Data pages. It is not possible to embed this more in-depth information on external websites.

Also keep an eye on the following water temperature gauges. These areas are downstream of Livingston and are more prone to getting too warm in late summer. Flow data is not available at these sites, but there’s not a lot of change downstream of Livingston during fishing season, since all tributaries on this reach are pretty small.

Yellowstone River Webcam

This camera (courtesy Montana Whitewater) is prone to failure and may operate intermittently.

Yellowstone River Fishing Report – Links

• Lamar River, Gardner River, and Shields River streamflow data: Sudden flow spikes in these waters will bring mud into the Yellowstone, the Gardner first.
• Gardiner, Corwin Springs, Emigrant, Livingston, Big Timber, and Columbus weather forecasts. Watch the wind speeds and avoid floating Livingston-Columbus when east winds are forecast.
• Gardiner Webcam This raft company webcam gives a good sense of Yellowstone River level and clarity for the Upper River.

Note: We update our general fishing report far more often than our fishery-specific reports like this one, especially between November and April.