The Livingston, Montana area is located in the heart of Montana’s trout country and is within a couple hours of hundreds of famous and not-so-famous Montana fly fishing destinations. These fisheries range from tiny mountain creeks we won’t name online (just look at a map and pick one!) to big names like the Yellowstone and Madison Rivers, as well as the riches within the northern and central parts of Yellowstone National Park.
Use the pages in this section of the site to plan your own fishing adventures for days you’re not going on guided fly fishing trips with us, or just to familiarize yourself with our waters to get excited for your guided trips.
You might also be interested in our fishing reports or in our guided trip destinations page. The latter covers similar ground as this page, but explicitly looks at our Montana fly fishing destinations from a guiding as opposed to fishing perspective.
Yellowstone River in MT: Almost 150 Miles of Trout Heaven
The Yellowstone River is one of the world’s most-famous fly fishing rivers, and Livingston is right at the dead-center of its trout water. Whether you’re interested in lots of native cutthroat trout, that one special brown trout, or just your first-ever fish on the fly, the Yellowstone is a great choice for just about anyone.
Boulder River: Smift, Rough, and Rugged, with Scenery and Trout to Match
The Boulder River is a continuous rapid full of giant, slippery rocks and lots of spunky rainbow and brown trout. For the right anglers, this Yellowstone River tributary southeast of Livingston is a far better fishery than the Yellowstone. For the wrong anglers, it’s at best unpleasant and at worst a deathtrap.
Madison River: Montana's Most-Popular River, a Snowmelt Season Specialty
The Madison River is even more famous than the Yellowstone, and sees pressure to match from both anglers and casual floaters. Since it’s protected by two dams and a natural lake, the Madison never gets too muddy to fish. For this reason, it’s our prime local river during and just after the spring runoff season. It can be a great sneaker bet in the fall, too.
Stillwater River: Anything but Still, and a Big Sister to the Boulder
The Stillwater River is the Boulder’s big sister to the east. Like many big sisters, the Stillwater isn’t quite as wild as its smaller sibling, but it still has a crazy streak that makes it unsuitable for beginners and for wade-fishers with limited mobility. Float anglers who might be getting a bit creaky can still enjoy the Stillwater.
Missouri River: Runoff Season Trout and Dog Day Carp
The Missouri River heads at Three Forks an hour west of Livingston. Its upper reaches hold a few big trout, plus walleye, pike, and especially carp. The latter make great quarry in late summer for skilled anglers who don’t like crowds. Further down, the famous tailwater reaches of the Missouri hold vast numbers of rainbow and brown trout and fish great in late spring and early summer.
Montana Small Streams: Ditch the Crowds!
Every famous Montana river has a bunch of non-famous creeks flowing into it. Most of these offer abundant public access and abundant small and midsize trout eager to take dry flies, but only a few of them get crowded. Especially when fishing without a guide, don’t hesitate to ditch the famous water for some little blue line on the map.
Montana Lakes & Reservoirs: Snowmelt Season Trout, Without the River Crowds
Low-elevation lakes and reservoirs near Livingston hold good numbers of trout and often other game fish and fish best in late spring and early summer when most rivers are muddy. Some also hold very large trout and can even produce well on dry flies. What’s not to love? Wind, for starters, plus the fact that the best lakes are private and require daily access fees.
Montana Spring Creeks: Private Water for Anglers Who Want to Fish Like Herons
Livingston is minutes from Montana’s famous Paradise Valley Spring Creeks: Armstrong, Nelson’s, and Depuy’s. These private creeks are perfect for skilled anglers who want to spot and stalk their quarry, matching wits with a few difficult, wary fish. On the other hand, these fisheries are terrible for beginners and experienced anglers who like fast action.
Yellowstone Park Waters: Infinite Options for Anglers Who Hike
Yellowstone Park offers unparalleled public access to a huge variety of wade fisheries, from tiny creeks full of jewel-like native cutthroat trout to the mighty Black Canyon of the Yellowstone and some of the region’s best destinations for trophy brown trout. Great public access comes with a cost, though: intense crowds near the roads. The solution? Hike!