Gallatin River Fishing Report
Date: 01/28/2025
Posted by: Toby Swank
Finally some great weather to get out and fish Montana’s Gallatin River! Nice and warm this week with temps in the high thirties and lots of sun. Snow is on its way this weekend but the temps don’t dip too low. Nymphing should be hot still focusing on the deep slow water.
We have been doing well fishing a red Worm or a small dark Pat's Rubber Leg dropping down to a black or purple Zebra Midge or a small Perdigon. Keep you focus on slow moving water, deeper the better. Inside bends make for great winter holding water.
With the temps climbing back up keep an eye out for some fishing coming to the surface for midges. Should be some flying around on the sunny days but fishing likely won't start feeding on them until later in the week when some cloud cover rolls in.
You can get an idea of the water conditions in the Big Sky area by viewing this webcam, hosted by our friends at Montana Whitewater.
Click to enlarge
Flows
295 CFS
On 2025-1-28
Red San Juan Worm
Brown/Black Pat's Rubberlegs
Rainbow Spanish Bullet
Black Zebra Midge
Montana fly fishing trips on the Gallatin River with the team at Fins and Feathers Guide Service focus on the lower stretches. Floating the lower Gallatin River offers access to blue-ribbon trout waters that receive much less angling pressure than the upper river. Hazardous obstructions in the river are constantly shifting, making floating here more challenging than other rivers near Bozeman.
Trophy Rainbow and Brown Trout are here for the experienced angler willing to streamer fly fish during early summer days. Novice anglers quickly improve their skills as our guides patiently coach them through the intricacies of reading water and fishing near structures on this wild stretch of river.
- $695 for 1 or 2 Anglers Per Guide
- Float Trips With Wading Opportunities
- Use of All Fishing Equipment Is Included
- Single And Multi-Day Trip Bookings Available
- Meet In Bozeman, Four-Corners, Belgrade, or Manhattan
- Book Online or Contact Us To Learn More
Gallatin River Fishing
The Gallatin River starts small in YNP and becomes a medium-sized western river below Big Sky, Montana. It flows through Gallatin Canyon with swift pockets and fast runs. The river is known for its clean, cold water and offers over 75 miles of blue-ribbon trout water accessible at turnouts along HWY 191 and throughout the Gallatin Valley. The Gallatin River joins the Jefferson and Madison Rivers to form the Missouri River near Three Forks, Montana.
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.
