Gallatin River Fishing Report
Date: 01/19/2025
Posted by: Toby Swank
Still very cold on Montana’s Gallatin River with single digit temps right now and nothing higher than the low 30’s in the forecast. If you are willing to battle numb fingers and ice in the guides there is still some fishing to be had. Nymphing is your bread and butter right now. We are focusing on the slow deep runs.
Anglers are doing well fishing a tandem nymph rig with a red worm or small stonefly nymph as the top fly. Dropping a small Zebra Midge or Perdigon below is our go-to set up right now. During these cold months the fish get very lethargic and sit deep in the slow water. We add some split shot about a foot above the lead fly to make sure we are getting down to the fish.
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
245 CFS
On 2025-1-19
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.
