Yellowstone River Fishing Report
Date: 05/15/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Yellowstone River is high and dirty right now and not a great option at the moment. Flows have continued to rise with the warmer weather, and most sections of the river are firmly in runoff conditions.
Fishing has become difficult, with fish pushed tight to the banks and into the slowest water available. Softer seams, flooded edges, and inside bends are really the only places worth spending time.
For anglers still looking to fish it, heavier nymph rigs with worm patterns, rubberlegs, and larger attractor-style flies are going to be the best option. Getting flies deep and slowing things down along the softer water is the only real way to move fish right now.
Dry fly fishing has pretty much shut down with the added color and rising water, and streamer fishing has been inconsistent at best.
The Yellowstone is changing quickly day to day and unless temperatures cool off significantly, expect runoff conditions to continue building.
Additional Resources:
- Yellowstone River Fly Fishing In Spring
- Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide To May
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Tan Razor Caddis
Peacock Elk Hair Caddis
X caddis
Tungsten Jigged Prince
Prince Nymph
Olive Double Gonga
Coffee/Black Restless Stone
Butano Lite Brite Perdigon
Yellowstone River Fishing
Read our "Yellowstone River Fishing Guide" for a detailed overview of fly fishing the Yellowstone River in Montana. This 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 on Yellowstone River fly fishing.
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