Winter fishing is here and trout are settled into their midwinter lies. Peak feeding activity is in the afternoon and coincides with the warmest water temperatures of the day between noon and 4pm. Look to find trout concentrated in deeper runs with slower currents.
Southwest Montana Fishing Reports Overview
- Good
Fishing on local waters is still following a fairly predictable winter pattern but as we slowly creep into spring we are definitely seeing signs of renewed life and the fishing is on the upswing. The trout are still in their winter lies and easy to locate. Some early season midge hatches have...
Yellowstone River Fishing Report
- Fair
Current Conditions: The Yellowstone River should start fishing well in the coming weeks. Most anglers will still be wade fishing and there will be significant ice to deal with for the foreseeable future. Nymph fishing will be the dominate source of action but dead drifting wooley buggers and small...
Upper Madison River Fishing Report
- Very Good
Current Conditions: The Upper Madison River is fishing well relative to early winter fishing. The mild early winter has kept ice at bay and most of the Upper river is fishable. Trout are in their winter holding water so don't expect to find fish in swift water. Focus on the larger runs with some...
Lower Madison River Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The mild early winter has resulted in some nice off season fishing on the Lower Madison River. Trout are most active in the afternoon and are heavily concentrated in a few deeper buckets with slower flows. Nymph fishing is most productive right now but swinging or slow stripping...
Gallatin River Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The Gallatin River is a great winter fishery. With mild winter weather there are very few ice shelves and the entire river is a great option. Nymphing is the way to go and make sure to focus your efforts in the big, slow runs where fish stack up in the cold season. Smaller mayfly...
Montana Spring Creeks Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The Spring Creeks remain a consistent choice for anglers seeking a challenge. The summer hatches have mostly wound down and fish are sporadically feeding throughout the day. Terrestrials like hoppers, ants and beetles are still worth fishing for the near future. Technical...
Stillwater River Fishing Report
- Fair
Current Conditions: The Stillwater River is a marginal winter fishery but on mild afternoons it can be productive when targetting the slower holding water. Slow things down with smaller nymphs and indicators such as yarn that help detect subtle strikes. During cold snaps beware of ice shelves. The...
Boulder River Fishing Report
- Fair
Current Conditions: The Boulder River isn't one of our go to winter fisheries but if you are in the area and we are enjoying some mild weather there are trout to be found. Expect fish to be stacked up in slower water an deeper runs. These conditions are more prevelant on the lower reaches near Big...
Jefferson River Fishing Report
- Fair
Current Conditions: The Jefferson River is a little sleepy mid winter. Often ice shelves can make fishing a challenge, but during mild weather stretches good fishing can be found. With lower trout counts than some other area rivers, it doesn't always produce to the same degree but if in the area its...
East Gallatin River Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The East Gallatin can be a nice wintertime option. Fish are most active in the afternoons and nymphing will generally outproduce other methods. Trout become highly concentrated in the winter so hunt for just the right water and then slow things down and focus your attention on...
Missouri River Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The Missouri River is one of the better winter fisheries in Montana. The high fish counts and tailwater effect can produce some nice mid winter days. This is one of the better "swinging rivers" for the trout spey crowd but nymphing and even some mid winter dry fly action on...
Ruby River Fishing Report
- Good
Current Conditions: The Ruby River is a nice mid winter option. Keep in mind that the lower river from Ruby Reservoir downstream is closed until April 1st. The river upstream of the lake is open and can be an option on mild days. The Month Ahead: As we move further into the winter midges will become...
Montana Lakes Fishing Report
- Fair
Current Conditions: Montana's Lakes and ranch ponds are iced up and best fished with an auger... The Month Ahead: Good times coming in the spring!
Small Streams Fishing Report
- Poor
Current Conditions: Smaller streams aren't a great winter option. The best smaller water fishing are the spring creeks near Livingston that are groudnwater fed. The Month Ahead: Best to focus your efforst on the larger waters in the winter.