FishCondishBighorn River, MT Fishing Report & Live Conditions
Bighorn River, MT fishing report
The Bighorn below Yellowtail Dam is tailwater fishing at its finest, with wild brown and rainbow trout thriving year-round in cold, clear, nutrient-rich flows. Spring brings active feeding as flows stabilize after snowmelt adjustments, summer rewards early-morning and evening sessions when surface temperatures climb, fall triggers aggressive pre-spawn behavior in browns, and winter fishing stays surprisingly productive given the dam-regulated temperature buffer.
Fish hold tight to the weed beds that blanket the Bighorn's flat limestone bottom — these are your primary feeding zones. Small scuds, sowbugs, and midges in natural olive, tan, and gray are essential here; match the hatch precisely because these trout are educated. Watch your flows: when releases increase, fish stack behind structure and gravel ledges. Nymphing under an indicator through seams adjacent to weed edges is consistently productive. Rising fish in fall often respond well to dry-dropper rigs targeting PMD and caddis hatches.
Bighorn River, MT river flow
The closest active USGS gauge to Bighorn River, MT is Big Horn Canal near St. Xavier MT (site 06286490), about 0.6 miles away. Flow is the single best predictor of where fish sit in moving water, so it is worth knowing what normal looks like before you read today's number.
In August, this gauge typically runs about 417 cfs.
| Month | Median flow |
|---|---|
| Jan | 0 cfs |
| Feb | 0 cfs |
| Mar | 0 cfs |
| Apr | 62 cfs |
| May | 228 cfs |
| Jun | 401 cfs |
| Jul | 439 cfs |
| Aug | 417 cfs |
| Sep | 261 cfs |
| Oct | 0 cfs |
| Nov | 0 cfs |
| Dec | 0 cfs |
Median flow from the USGS daily-statistics record. For the live flow, gage height, water temperature, and today's fishing score, open the Bighorn River, MT dashboard.
What's biting near Bighorn River, MT
The species most likely to be feeding the Bighorn River: wild brown and rainbow trout. FishCondish grades every hour of the day for Bighorn River, MT and gives each species its own bite forecast, so you can see which window is worth fishing before you load the truck.
Bighorn River, MT fishing FAQ
What fish can you catch at Bighorn River, MT?
The species bite forecast for Bighorn River, MT covers what's likely feeding there, including wild brown and rainbow trout — and updates with the live conditions.
What's the best time of day to fish Bighorn River, MT?
Dawn and dusk are usually the most productive windows on the Bighorn River, particularly when the barometric pressure is steady or falling. FishCondish grades every hour of the day so you can pick the best one.
When is the best season to fish Bighorn River, MT?
Spring and fall are typically strongest on the Bighorn River as water temperatures sit in the productive range, with summer fishing best early and late in the day. It varies year to year, so check the live conditions before you head out.
How do I know if it's a good day to fish Bighorn River, MT?
FishCondish combines wind, water level, water temperature, pressure trend, and moon phase into a single 1–10 fishing score for Bighorn River, MT, updated in real time — a quick go/no-go read before you make the trip.
Fishing tips for Bighorn River, MT
New to these waters? Start with these beginner-friendly guides: