Yellowstone River Fishing Report
Date: 04/07/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Yellowstone River has been fishing very well and is worth spending time on right now, especially in the sections around and above Livingston. Conditions have stayed in a good place, and fish are feeding.
Fish are holding in the buckets, slower runs, and along the banks. They’re not as spread out, so it’s more about staying on that water and working through it than moving around.
Nymphing has been the most consistent approach. san juan worms paired with baetis nymphs, rainbow warriors, or perdigons have been producing. Keep everything down and in the right water. If you’re not occasionally ticking bottom, add weight before changing flies.
Streamer fishing has also been worth mixing in. With good clarity, fish are willing to move, especially on darker patterns fished through buckets and along the banks.
There have been fish looking up as well. BWOs and baetis are around, and you can find fish rising in softer water during the afternoons.
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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