As of January 24, 2025, the Yellowstone River in Montana is not in its prime fishing condition due to the cold temperatures. Here’s what you can expect:
The weather is chilly, with temperatures well below freezing, which has turned the river into a slushy mess in some areas. This cold spell has significantly slowed down the fishing.
Sunrise today is around 7:45 AM, and sunset is at about 4:45 PM, giving you a relatively short window for fishing.
Fish activity is sporadic at best. Trout are not feeding actively due to the lack of insect activity. However, guides have reported some success with dry fly fishing, particularly using beetle patterns like the Black Foam Beetle. Streamer fly fishing has also been productive, especially in the river sections near Livingston, where you can catch some nice brown trout in the long glides and tailouts.
Given the conditions, the best lures to use are streamers and dry flies. For streamers, consider the Brown/Yellow Barely Legal or the Tan and Yellow Double Gonga. For dry flies, the Golden Morrish Hopper and Black Foam Beetle are good choices.
As for the types of fish, you can expect to catch brown trout, rainbow trout, and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. However, the numbers are lower than usual due to the cold weather.
For hot spots, consider the Paradise Valley sections of the Yellowstone River, particularly around the Tom Miner Bridge just north of Gardiner, and the Emigrant Fishing Access just south of Emigrant. These areas are known for their large trout and scenic beauty.
Remember to check the current water clarity through local webcams before you head out, as it can vary significantly with the weather conditions.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
