Runoff is officially over and just about everything across the state and inside Yellowstone Park is fishing pretty darn good. The lower elevation rivers are getting close to the end of their springtime run but are still holding on and fishing well. The mountain freestone rivers are a little high but dropping and fishing well. Spring creeks are and tailwaters like the Missouri are popping with PMDS. Salmonflies are on the Madison and should be showing up on the Yellowstone. Get out there now and enjoy the incredible variety of great fishing to be had. You simply can’t find a bad place to fish right now. The Smith River is low but still floating for another week and fishing great. The Yellowstone River is a little high but runoff is over and it is of course fishing awesome. The Missouri is in its abundance of mayfly hatch nirvana as a parade of PMDs grade the water each day. Damsel flies are popping on ranch lakes, the Firehole in the park is close to the end of its run BUT still awesome in the mornings. The Yellowstone inside the Park has just dropped to fishable levels and maybe only 85% awesome, but still not too shabby. Salmonflies are even popping on various waters.
Southwest Montana Fishing Reports Overview
- Good
We have reached the end of snowmelt runoff here in southwest Montana. Our freestone rivers have stabilized and it's game on for rivers such as the Yellowstone and Gallatin. The freestones are in their ideal post-runoff form, so get out there while the getting is good. Our tailwater rivers and...
Yellowstone River Fishing Report
- Very Good
Yellowstone has entered it's post run off golden window. Over the last week or so the water clarity has changed from brown to green, and "green is good"! Adult salmonflies have been spotted in the valley as high as Carbella and the surface bite should be getting better everyday. In addition to the...
Upper Madison River Fishing Report
- Very Good
The Upper Madison continues to be a consistent and productive fishery. Trout can be holding virtually anywhere in the river. If the banks don't produce, change your game plan and try fishing center river pockets and runs. Stonefly nymphs like a Pat's rubberlegs is a great option to get a handful of...
Lower Madison River Fishing Report
- Very Good
The Lower Madison is offering up some great dry fly opportunities. PMDs, caddis, drakes, and yellow sallies make up the buffet of of insects that the trout have to choose from. If you're going for numbers, you can't go wrong with a nymph rig sporting a zirdle paired with a simple scud, lil' spanker...
Gallatin River Fishing Report
- Very Good
The Gallatin River has stabilized and its flows are dropping just in time for salmonflies. Get the best of both worlds and fish a dry dropper rig. We recommend a flutter bug, chubby, or foam run caddis up top with a Pat's rubberlegs, FKA prince, or a perdigon dropped below it. We're seeing plenty of...
Montana Spring Creeks Fishing Report
- Very Good
This is very good time on the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks with the annual PMD emergence occurring right now. Expect the creeks to fish well for the week The two main creeks we fish are Armstrong's and DePuy's spring creeks near Livingston and Bozeman, Montana. These creeks are private and do...
Stillwater River Fishing Report
- Good
The Stillwater River has dropped to below average flows and is on the menu for expert boaters. Attractor dry fly fishing is picking up. As flows drop transition to smaller patterns. This is a great dry/dropper fishery. The Month Ahead: The fishing is doable but only for expert anglers and boaters...
Boulder River Fishing Report
- Very Good
The Boulder River has dropped over 1000 CFS in the last few days and is currently at about 1100 CFS. These flows are conducive to both wading and floating if you are an experienced rower. We are seeing some golden stones, yellow sallies, caddis, PMDs, and a few salmonflies. A Pat's rubberlegs, 20...
Jefferson River Fishing Report
- Good
The Jefferson River between Bozeman and Butte has dropped substantially and is now a good fishable option. Mornings are defintely better than afternoons as water temps get warm later in the day. The Jefferson isn't a great mid summer fishery once water temps warm too much. This is a low fish count...
East Gallatin River Fishing Report
- Good
The East Gallatin has fallen to 120 CFS and it is now a good wade fishing option for anglers looking for a place to fish near Bozeman. Nymphing worms, stoneflies, caddis, and PMDs is a great way to get some fish to the net. Dry fly fishing should start picking up as the water clears. Look out for...
Missouri River Fishing Report
- Very Good
With flows on the Mo hovering around 4,000 CFS right now and probably staying there, the Missouri River has been fishing quite well lately with hatches of PMDs and caddis. The entire river from Wolf Creek down to Cascade as been fishing well. Look for pods of fish in the usual areas during a PMD...
Ruby River Fishing Report
- Good
The Ruby River is still just a little big for the best wading but it is fishable and if you know it well can provide some great options. The Ruby is a unique option as it is kind of like a tailwater and kind of like a freestone. The water below the reservoir stays open all year and can produce some...
Montana Lakes Fishing Report
- Very Good
Current Conditions: The larger lakes are a little tougher this time of year but will turn back on later in the summer when the callibaetis and tricos emerge. The smaller private ranch lakes that we target like Burns and Sitz are still fishing well. Damsel flies are really popping right now and it is...
Small Streams Fishing Report
- Good
The small stream fishing options near Big Sky and Bozeman are quickly coming into shape. Some will rise and be high, but for most of these smaller waters, even during our snowmelt runoff, the smaller streams around Montana can be options. When fishing the small streams in Montana it is always...