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5 Prime Bozeman Fly Fishing Spots
Posted by: Toby Swank
Date: 08/28/2025
Bozeman offers quick access to a wide range of exceptional trout fishing, with several notable fisheries located within a short drive of town.
5 Great Fly Fishing Spots Near Bozeman
The Gallatin and East Gallatin rivers flow through varied terrain and provide productive freestone fishing throughout much of the year. Just to the south, Hyalite Creek offers a small-stream experience with striking mountain scenery and the chance to target cutthroat and rainbow trout. About 25 minutes west, the Lower Madison winds through open valleys and canyon stretches, offering both wade and float fishing options.
These rivers and creeks are among the most accessible waters in southwest Montana, each with its own seasonal rhythms and fishing opportunities. Whether you are just looking to get out for a couple of hours or hoping to spend a day exploring on your own, here are our top 5 Bozeman fly fishing spots that are close to town and perfect for some DIY fly fishing on foot.
1) Hyalite Creek
Hyalite Creek is a beautiful mountain stream that flows just 20 minutes south of Bozeman through the heart of Hyalite Canyon. With consistent flows and chilly water temperatures all summer, it offers reliable fishing even when lower-elevation rivers are running warm.
The creek holds wild rainbow and cutthroat trout, along with some brook trout in the upper reaches. While the fish tend to be smaller, they’re aggressive and are a lot of fun to target with a selection of your favorite dry flies.
Access is excellent, Hyalite Canyon Road parallels much of the creek, and the surrounding national forest provides walk-in options at nearly every pull-off. The water is narrow, clear, and fast-moving, with lots of riffles, pocket water, and plunge pools. It's a classic small-stream experience in a dramatic mountain setting.
2) East Gallatin River
The Cherry River Fishing Access Site sits right on the edge of Bozeman, just off Frontage Road near North 7th Avenue. It’s one of the more convenient in-town options for a quick outing, especially in the spring when flows are steady and water temps are cool.
The access takes anglers to a mellow stretch of the East Gallatin River with plenty of slow runs and undercut banks, ideal conditions for nymphing or tossing small dries during early-season hatches.
A well-maintained trail runs alongside the river, making it a popular spot not just for fishing, but also for walking dogs or squeezing in a short session before or after work. While it doesn’t offer the solitude of backcountry water, Cherry River is proof that you don’t need to go far to find good fishing.
3) Gallatin River, Mid-Valley
Cameron Bridge is a well-known public access point on the Gallatin River, located in the valley between Bozeman and Belgrade. It sits just off Jackrabbit Lane, about a 20-minute drive from downtown Bozeman, depending on traffic.
This section of the Gallatin offers classic valley river characteristics—broad runs, gravel bars, and deep cut banks. The water here tends to warm earlier in the season compared to the canyon stretches upstream, making spring and early summer especially productive.
There’s ample parking and plenty of room to spread out, with both wade access and spots that are well-suited for casting from the bank. While the proximity to town makes it a popular choice, the fishing can still be excellent, especially during early morning or evening windows.
4) Gallatin River, Upper-Valley
Williams Bridge Fishing Access lies along the Gallatin River, located 5-10 minutes northwest of Bozeman from Four Corners. Although the bridge was lost during the 2022 flood and hasn’t been replaced, the access site remains open and heavily used.
This section of the river features deep runs, classic riffle water, and strong insect activity throughout much of the season, offering consistently good fishing. It’s a popular access point, and for good reason.
The stretch also highlights how Montana’s Stream Access Law allows the public to legally fish through areas bordered by private land, so long as anglers stay below the high-water mark and enter through designated sites like this one. It's a good reminder that we should be grateful for and protect these laws, which set us apart from many of our neighboring states.
5) Lower Madison River
Warm Springs Fishing Access, located on the Lower Madison River, sits about 25 minutes west of Bozeman and marks one of the most popular and productive sections of this world-renowned wild trout fishery. Fed by bottom-release flows from Ennis Lake, the Lower Madison maintains stable water temperatures and clear flows throughout the early and late parts of the year, creating ideal conditions for trout and anglers alike during the shoulder seasons.
The stretch around Warm Springs is known for its long, sweeping runs, deep buckets, and abundant weed beds that provide excellent habitat for healthy populations of browns and rainbows. Access here is exceptional; anglers can wade, float, or hike the well-worn trails that follow the riverbank upstream into the Beartrap Canyon.
The surrounding landscape, with its rolling hills and expansive skies, provides a striking backdrop regardless of the season. Whether you're looking for a full-day float or just a few evening casts, this is a dependable and scenic starting point along the lower Madison River
Get Out There
The fly fishing in Bozeman is some of the best and most diverse that an angler will ever encounter from a central location. Head out in any direction for world-class fly fishing opportunities on everything from big western rivers like the Yellowstone to small, mountain streams. Wild, self-sustaining trout populations inhabit these legendary fly fishing waters, bringing opportunities and challenges to anglers of all skill levels.
Bozeman is surrounded by big-name rivers that can be daunting to area newcomers and novice anglers. However, there are plenty of prime fishing spots that are close to town and well-suited to the DIY wade-fishing angler as well. Start with a few of these recommendations from our Bozeman fly fishing guides and then branch out to explore more – there really is an endless amount of blue-ribbon trout water near Bozeman!
Fins and Feathers Guide Service has been outfitting Montana fly fishing trips on the rivers and streams near Bozeman for over 25 years. Learn more about fly fishing the area or improve your skills by booking a guided trip with one of our professional guides. Reservations can be placed online, via e-mail, or by calling us at 1-406-468-5019.
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