Yellowstone River Fishing Report
Date: 03/18/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Yellowstone River has been a tougher option lately. Clarity is still good, and the wind has been strong enough to limit where you can fish effectively. When you can find some protection, there are still fish to be had.
Fish are holding in the deeper buckets, slower inside water, and along softer edges. The wide, open runs have been harder to fish with the wind, so it’s been more about picking apart shorter sections where you can control your drift.
Nymphing has been the most reliable approach. san juan worms paired with pheasant tails, baetis nymphs, or small perdigons have been producing fish. The bit of color has helped, but getting your flies down is still the most important part. If you’re not occasionally ticking bottom, add weight before changing flies.
Streamer fishing has been worth trying when the wind puts a little chop on the water. Olive buggers, sparkle minnows, and smaller baitfish patterns worked along deeper banks can move a few fish if you stay with it.
Dry fly fishing is still limited. You might see a few midges in calmer stretches, but it’s not something to plan around.
The Yellowstone can still produce fish if you’re willing to work around the wind and stay focused on the deeper water.
Additional Resources:
- Yellowstone River Fly Fishing In Spring
- Fly Fishing Bozeman In March
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Tan and Yellow Double Gonga
Prince Nymph
Brown Pat's Rubberleg
Olive Mini Dungeon
Olive Double Gonga
Coffee/Black Restless Stone
Tungsten Jigged Prince
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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