Yellowstone River Fishing Report
Date: 04/20/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Yellowstone River is still a bit pushy right now, but it’s starting to come into shape in the right sections. Below Livingston has been the most consistent, where clarity is good enough and fish are settled into softer water.
Fish aren’t spread throughout the river. Most of them are holding along inside bends, slower banks, and any water that breaks up the main current. If it looks fast, it’s probably not worth spending much time on. The fishable water stands out.
Nymphing has been the most consistent approach. Worm patterns are still part of the deal with the added color, paired with baetis nymphs or pheasant tails underneath. It’s less about changing flies and more about putting them in the right spots and getting them down. If you’re not ticking bottom, add weight before changing anything else.
Streamer fishing has been worth the time. With the color in the river, fish are willing to move a bit, especially tight to the banks and along structure. Slower retrieves have been better than trying to cover too much water.
There’s not much for dry fly fishing right now. A few BWOs are around, but it’s not something to plan a day around yet.
The Yellowstone isn’t the easiest option at the moment, but if you stay on the softer water and fish it right, you can still put together a good day.
Additional Resources:
- Yellowstone River Fly Fishing In Spring
- Fly Fishing Bozeman In April
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Tan and Yellow Double Gonga
Tungsten Jigged Prince
Prince Nymph
Brown Pat's Rubberleg
Olive Mini Dungeon
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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