Yellowstone River Fishing Report
Date: 12/17/2025
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Yellowstone River is still fishable right now. The river is a great choice at the moment for a few hours of wade fishing. The warmer weather has cleared all of the shelf ice off, and the river is very accessible.
Nymphing has been the most reliable option. Larger attractor-style nymphs have been easier for fish to find in the off-color water. Stonefly patterns, zebra midges, pheasant tails, and slim perdigons have all been working when fished close to the bottom. A 9-foot fluorocarbon leader of 3X or 4X is a good fit for the added water and depth.
Fish have been holding in deeper sections where the current isn’t pushing as hard. Spending time in those areas has been more effective than covering a lot of ground. Shallow water hasn’t produced much lately.
Streamer fishing can be worth a few casts while the river has color, especially during the warmest part of the day. It’s not something to build a full day around, but it can move a fish or two.
Dry-fly fishing has been very limited. Midges are around at times, but surface activity has been rare.
Overall, the Yellowstone River is still an option if you pick your timing carefully. Focus on the middle of the day, fish deep, and keep expectations realistic with winter conditions setting in.
Additional Resources:
- Yellowstone River Fly Fishing In Winter
- Fly Fishing Bozeman In Winter
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Coffee/Black Restless Stone
Olive Mini Dungeon
Tungsten Jigged Prince
Olive Double Gonga
Brown Pat's Rubberleg
Tan and Yellow Double Gonga
Butano Lite Brite Perdigon
Prince Nymph
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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