Gallatin River Fishing Report
Date: 01/30/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Gallatin River remains fishable, though winter conditions continue to make timing and location more important than covering a lot of water. Ice has been present along the banks at times, particularly in shaded areas and slower side channels, but most stretches of the river are still open. Fishing has improved as the day warms, with the most consistent window falling from late morning into the early afternoon once ice begins to clear and water temperatures stabilize.
Nymphing has been the most reliable way to catch fish. Heavier attractor or stonefly-style nymphs have worked well as lead flies, paired with smaller patterns like perdigons, pheasant tails, and zebra midges. A 9-foot fluorocarbon leader in the 3X to 4X range has been a solid setup for managing weight while keeping presentations clean in the clear, cold water.
Streamer fishing has been inconsistent, but it can still be worth mixing in when conditions allow. Smaller. A shorter leader of 5–6 feet of heavier fluorocarbon keeps streamer rigs simple and easier to manage in cold, variable conditions.
Dry fly activity has been limited. Midges are present, but surface feeding has been brief and sporadic. If you notice fish rising during a mild, calm window, a small midge dry or emerger can work, though subsurface fishing has been far more dependable overall.
Overall, the Gallatin River is still worth fishing if you pick your timing carefully. Waiting for ice to clear, focusing on mid-day windows, and fishing nymphs in slower water has been the most effective approach under current conditions.
Addtional Gallatin River Fly Fishing Resources:
- Gallatin River Fly Fishing In Winter
- Fly Fishing Bozeman In Winter
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Rainbow Spanish Bullet
Black Pat's Rubberleg
Purple Lite Brite Perdigon
Purple Psycho Prince
Pheasant Tail
Brown Pat's Rubberleg
Black Zebra Midge
Prince Nymph
Gallatin River Fishing
Read our "Gallatin River Fishing Guide" to learn more about fly fishing in Montana on the Gallatin River. It is a great resource for anglers fishing near Bozeman Montana and details the various river stretches and seasonal hatches with tips from our Bozeman fly fishing guides.
Additional Gallatin River Fly Fishing Resources
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