Yellowstone River Fishing Report
Date: 01/05/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Yellowstone River has been a great option around Bozeman and remains very accessible for this time of year. There’s no snow along the banks and only light ice showing up in a few spots, so getting around hasn’t been an issue. The biggest thing affecting the river right now has been the wind, which has made some days better than others. When the wind cooperates, fishing has come together best from late morning into the afternoon.
Subsurface fishing has been the most reliable way to catch fish. Stonefly-style nymphs and other attractor patterns have been good choices up front, with zebra midges, pheasant tails, and small perdigons working well behind them. A 9-foot fluorocarbon leader of 3X or 4X has been a solid setup. Making sure your flies are getting down has mattered more than changing patterns.
Fish have been holding in deeper water where they don’t have to work hard. Slowing down and spending time fishing those sections has paid off more than trying to cover a lot of water. Shallow stretches haven’t offered much lately.
Streamer fishing is still an option, but the wind has made it tougher to manage consistently. It’s been more of a secondary choice compared to nymphing.
Dry-fly activity has been limited. Midges are around, but surface action has been brief and inconsistent.
Overall, the Yellowstone River is in good shape for December. Plan around the wind, start later in the day, and keep things simple with nymphs for the best results.
Additional Resources:
- Yellowstone River Fly Fishing In Winter
- Fly Fishing Bozeman In Winter
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Tan and Yellow Double Gonga
Brown Pat's Rubberleg
Coffee/Black Restless Stone
Butano Lite Brite Perdigon
Tungsten Jigged Prince
Olive Double Gonga
Prince Nymph
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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