Bighorn River Fishing Report
Date: 02/17/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Bighorn River has been fishing good and has been one of the more consistent winter options. Cold starts have been slow, but once the sun gets up the river has produced steady action. Wind has shown up some afternoons, but it hasn’t shut things down.
Late morning into mid-afternoon has been the best stretch. That’s when fish have been most active and willing to move a little for food.
Nymphing has been the primary focus. Sow bugs and scuds paired with a zebra midge or small baetis nymph have been producing. A pink or red worm has also had its days. Fish are holding in moderate depth with softer current. Staying near the bottom and fishing clean, controlled drifts has made the difference.
There have been baetis around on cloudier days. When it lines up, fish have come up in slower water and along softer edges. Small baetis dries and simple emergers have worked during those windows, but it has not been consistent every day.
Streamer fishing has been slower overall, though fishing low and deliberate through deeper runs can move a fish or two.
Overall, the Bighorn is fishing well for this time of year. Plan around the warmer part of the day and expect your best results nymphing, with the chance for a short dry fly window if conditions line up.
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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