Good morning anglers this is Artificial Lure with your Yellowstone River fishing report for Wednesday May 14 2025
The Yellowstone River is flowing strong right now as the spring runoff ramps up. Water levels have spiked with colder temps and fresh snow up in the Absarokas and the Park so clarity is down quite a bit especially through Paradise Valley and below. These higher flows are making the bite hit or miss and fishing conditions can be challenging but there are still opportunities for the persistent angler willing to adapt.
Weatherwise today is shaping up cool and cloudy with a high around 54 degrees in the Livingston area and a chance of passing showers on and off through the afternoon. Sunrise was at 546 AM and sunset will be at 850 PM giving you plenty of daylight hours to work the water. No tidal influence on these freestone Montana rivers so our timing is all about temperature and light today.
Recent catches have been mostly brown trout and rainbows with a few cutthroat showing up near Gardiner. Most fish being caught lately are between 12 and 18 inches with the occasional bruiser brown up to 22 inches reported near the confluence with the Gardner River in the upper stretches. Nymphing remains your best bet with the current flows. Productive patterns include beadhead pheasant tails size 16 to 20 copper johns size 16 to 20 rainbow warriors size 16 to 20 and zebra midges down to size 22. Worm-style flies and stoneflies are also pulling in some fish especially in those slower seams and deeper holes[1][3][4].
Streamer fishing can turn up big trout this time of year as well. Try smaller olive or black buggers as well as flashy streamers fished close to the bank. If you find a little pocket of softer water give it a couple drifts. Dry fly action is minimal right now with the runoff but keep an eye out for midges and the odd blue wing olive especially on overcast afternoons.
Anglers have found some success near Emigrant and the Carbella access points where side channels provide some relief from the heavy current. Yankee Jim Canyon is holding some fish in the eddies but be cautious wading here as flows are up. For those looking farther upstream the stretch near Gardiner and the mouth of the Gardner River is a solid bet.
Best baits and lures right now are nymphs and streamers as mentioned natural colors work best in the murky water. Adjust your weight and depth often to stay in the strike zone.
River conditions will remain a bit tough until the runoff tapers off but with some patience and flexibility there are still fish to be found. Stay safe out there and fish on.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
