Bighorn River Fishing Report
Date: 12/15/2025
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Bighorn River has been solid and continues to be a great winter option. Being a tailwater, the river has stayed open and clear, and anglers are finding the most consistent fishing from late morning into the afternoon.
Nymphing has been the main focus. Scuds, sowbugs, zebra midges, and small perdigons have all been catching fish when fished near the bottom. A 9-foot fluorocarbon leader of 4X is a good setup for most situations. Making sure your flies are at the right depth has been more important than changing patterns.
Fish are holding in the deeper water where the current stays even. Spending time in those areas and fishing them thoroughly has paid off more than covering a lot of ground. Shallow water hasn’t offered much lately.
Streamer fishing is still an option, though it’s been more of a bonus than a plan. Smaller leech or sculpin-style patterns have moved some fish during the warmest part of the day.
Dry-fly activity has been limited. Midges are around, but rising fish have been inconsistent.
Overall, the Bighorn River remains a dependable winter fishery. Plan your day around the warmest hours, fish deep, and keep your setup simple for the most consistent results.
Additional Resources:
- Bighorn River Fly Fishing In Winter
- Bozeman Fly Fishing In Winter
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Tailwater Sowbug
Sparkle Minnow
Skiddish Smolt
Gray Gonga
Black Lite Brite Perdigon
Black Zebra Midge
Orange Scud
Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug
Bighorn River Fly Fishing
The Bighorn River, emerging from the base of Afterbay Dam near Fort Smith, Montana, is one of the state’s premier tailwater fisheries. Fed by cold, consistent flows from Yellowtail Dam, the river offers exceptional fly fishing opportunities across the first 35 miles—especially between the Afterbay and Bighorn Fishing Access Sites.
The most popular stretch is the 10-mile float from 3-Mile to Bighorn Access. Here, anglers find productive seams, riffles, and side channels that are ideal for both floating and wade fishing. Dry fly action peaks during PMD and BWO hatches, while nymphing remains effective year-round.
Crowds are common from spring through early fall, particularly in the first three miles below the dam and at the 3-Mile fishing access site. This easily wadeable section includes legendary runs like the Breakfast Hole and Hot-Dog Run, where trout stack up in knee-deep gravel-bottomed riffles.
Further downstream, fishing pressure decreases and trout numbers taper off, but float anglers willing to explore these more remote stretches will find reprieve from the crowds.. Late summer and fall can be tricky due to aquatic vegetation and irrigation returns.
Whether you're casting dries, drifting nymphs, or stripping streamers, the Bighorn delivers consistent action for wild brown and rainbow trout—making it a must-visit for serious fly anglers in Montana.
Additional Bighorn River Fly Fishing Resources
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