FishCondishYellowstone River, MT Fishing Report & Live Conditions
Yellowstone River, MT fishing report
The Yellowstone through Paradise Valley is primarily a blue-ribbon trout fishery, with wild brown and rainbow trout as the main draw across all seasons. Spring runoff pushes fish tight to banks and into slower side channels, while summer's clearer, lower flows concentrate trout in the deep glides and shaded undercuts. Fall is prime time — browns move aggressively pre-spawn, and big fish that stayed hidden all summer become catchable. Walleye appear in the lower reaches and deeper pools, especially after dark in warmer months. Catfish and panfish are occasional surprises in slower backwater eddies, and while bass and chain pickerel aren't the focus here, smallmouth occasionally show in warmer, rocky stretches downstream.
Watch water temperature closely — trout feed most actively between 50 and 65 degrees, and once temperatures push into the 70s, fish drop into the deepest, coldest slots and stop eating hard. During higher flows, dead-drift large stonefly nymphs and Pat's Rubber Legs along seam lines where fast water meets slow. In clear summer conditions, switch to smaller caddis and PMD patterns, fishing the head and tail of riffles at dawn and dusk. Streamer fishing the long undercut banks produces the largest browns, especially in low light. Always read the seams — that's where Yellowstone trout stack up and feed.
Yellowstone River, MT river flow
The closest active USGS gauge to Yellowstone River, MT is Yellowstone River near Livingston, MT (site 06192500), about 4.3 miles away. It drains roughly 3,551 square miles. 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 July, this gauge typically runs about 6,830 cfs.
| Month | Median flow |
|---|---|
| Jan | 1,200 cfs |
| Feb | 1,190 cfs |
| Mar | 1,280 cfs |
| Apr | 1,730 cfs |
| May | 6,450 cfs |
| Jun | 12,550 cfs |
| Jul | 6,830 cfs |
| Aug | 3,240 cfs |
| Sep | 2,230 cfs |
| Oct | 1,920 cfs |
| Nov | 1,635 cfs |
| Dec | 1,360 cfs |
Median flow from the USGS daily-statistics record. For the live flow, gage height, water temperature, and today's fishing score, open the Yellowstone River, MT dashboard.
What's biting near Yellowstone River, MT
The species most likely to be feeding the freestone runs, riffles, and long glides through Paradise Valley: largemouth and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, chain pickerel, catfish, and panfish. FishCondish grades every hour of the day for Yellowstone River, MT and gives each species its own bite forecast, so you can see which window is worth fishing before you load the truck.
Yellowstone River, MT fishing FAQ
What fish can you catch at Yellowstone River, MT?
The species bite forecast for Yellowstone River, MT covers what's likely feeding there, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, chain pickerel, catfish, and panfish — and updates with the live conditions.
What's the best time of day to fish Yellowstone River, MT?
Dawn and dusk are usually the most productive windows on the freestone runs, riffles, and long glides through Paradise Valley, 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 Yellowstone River, MT?
Spring and fall are typically strongest on the freestone runs, riffles, and long glides through Paradise Valley 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 Yellowstone River, MT?
FishCondish combines wind, water level, water temperature, pressure trend, and moon phase into a single 1–10 fishing score for Yellowstone River, MT, updated in real time — a quick go/no-go read before you make the trip.
Fishing tips for Yellowstone River, MT
New to these waters? Start with these beginner-friendly guides: