Yellowstone River Fishing Report
Date: 01/12/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Yellowstone River has been fishing well and remains very accessible right now. There’s little snow on the ground and only minor ice along the banks, so getting around hasn’t been an issue. Wind has been the biggest factor lately, but on days when it eases up even a bit, the river has been fishing well from late morning into the afternoon.
Nymphing has been the most consistent way to catch fish. Stonefly-style nymphs and other attractor patterns have been good flies to start with, followed by smaller patterns like spanish bullet perdigons, rainbow warriors, zebra midges, or pheasant tails. A 9-foot fluorocarbon leader of 3X or 4X has been a solid setup for managing weight and keeping flies where fish are holding.
Streamer fishing has also been producing at times, especially during the afternoon when conditions line up. Medium-sized baitfish and sculpin patterns have been moving fish in deeper water. A shorter leader of 5–6 feet of heavier fluorocarbon makes these setups easier to handle, especially when the wind is a factor.
Dry fly fishing has been limited, but midges are still around. On calmer stretches, there have been a few fish rising, and a small midge dry or emerger can be worth having ready if you spot surface activity.
Overall, the Yellowstone River is in good shape for this time of year. Plan around the wind, focus on the warmer part of the day, and expect nymphing to be your most reliable option right now.
Additional Resources:
- Yellowstone River Fly Fishing In Winter
- Fly Fishing Bozeman In Winter
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Butano Lite Brite Perdigon
Tan and Yellow Double Gonga
Prince Nymph
Brown Pat's Rubberleg
Coffee/Black Restless Stone
Tungsten Jigged Prince
Olive Double Gonga
Olive Mini Dungeon
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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