Hebgen Lake
Madison Arm · West Yellowstone
SW Montana, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Brown and Rainbow.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
Hebgen Lake is gaining nearly a foot per week and sitting just 0.7 feet from full pool — prime pre-peak conditions. Callibaetis mayflies are emerging with fish starting to key in, per Blue Ribbon Flies intel. Evening surface activity should be excellent 6-9pm on the calmer days, with protected north shore bays offering the most consistent action. Weekend looks promising despite Monday's wet forecast.
- Conditions: Lake rising fast — gained 0.7 feet in a week and just 0.7 feet from full pool. Excellent clarity with protected north shore bays most productive.
- Hatches: Callibaetis emergence underway with fish starting to look up. Evening prime time 6-9pm on calm days for surface action.
- Water Temp: Surface temps climbing into optimal 52-60°F range for multiple hatches. South-facing protected bays warming fastest.
- Best Window: Evening 6-9pm when wind dies and Callibaetis emerge. Saturday-Sunday ideal before Monday's wet weather arrives.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Lake
- Best months: May–Oct, peak July–Aug (gulper season)
Hebgen Lake just outside Yellowstone's western boundary in Montana is a still-water trout fishery famous for its 'gulper' fishing — surface-feeding rainbows and browns rising to large mayflies (Tricos, Callibaetis, and Mahogany Duns) through summer mornings. The lake is shallow enough for float-tube access and the fish reach trophy sizes feeding on the lake's exceptional aquatic insect productivity. The dam below Hebgen feeds the famous Madison River below — making Hebgen the literal source of the Madison's fertility.
Hebgen Lake's 'gulper' fishing — large rainbow and brown trout cruising the surface to feed on Trico spinners through summer mornings — is one of the most distinctive still-water dry-fly fisheries in the West, drawing anglers specifically for the visual rises.
January Outlook
Hebgen Lake is frozen and closed for winter. Ice forms in December and typically persists through March. The lake's famous surface fishing is completely dormant. The outlets and inlet streams provide some mid-winter feeding activity for those willing to snowshoe in, but the lake itself is not fishable.
Productive Patterns
- Not applicable — lake frozen
Tips
Hebgen is ice-free from May through November. January is best spent planning your July float tube visit for the famous 'gulper' season. The surrounding Yellowstone country is spectacular for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Water Notes
Lake frozen. Ice typically 12-24 inches thick in January. Access roads may require snowmobile.
February Outlook
Still frozen. Hebgen Lake remains locked under ice through February. Ice fishing is practiced by local anglers targeting rainbow and brown trout through drilled holes, but this is a specialized local pursuit.
Productive Patterns
- Ice fishing rigs (local practice)
- Not applicable for fly fishing
Tips
Ice fishing is possible for locals with the right gear. For fly fishing, plan your May through October trip. The ice typically breaks up in April or early May depending on the year.
Water Notes
Lake frozen. Ice fishing possible. Fly fishing not applicable.
March Outlook
March ice-out is beginning on Hebgen. The south-facing bays clear first. By late March, some open water appears near the inlet and the dam, and the first large rainbows begin staging.
Productive Patterns
- Midge Cluster
- Callibaetis Nymph
- Soft Hackle
- Leech
Tips
Watch for ice-out dates — Hebgen typically clears by mid-April in average years. Late March can produce excellent fishing in open water near the dam outlet as large browns and rainbows stage in the cold, clear water.
Water Notes
Partially frozen with open water near dam. Ice-out progressing. Water 38–46°F.
April Outlook
Ice-out on Hebgen Lake. The full lake opens during April in most years. The first hatch of Callibaetis appears on calm mornings. Large fish begin moving to the shallows. Float tube fishing becomes possible mid-to-late month.
Productive Patterns
- Callibaetis Nymph
- Midge Larva
- Woolly Bugger
- Damselfly Nymph
Tips
Ice-out timing varies — early April in mild years, late April in deep-snow years. The first Callibaetis hatch window in April is extraordinary — fish that have been under ice for months eat eagerly. A float tube or small pontoon is essential.
Water Notes
Ice-out typically complete by mid-April. Water 44–52°F. Windy April days can make float tube fishing difficult.
May Outlook
Ice clears — typically early May. Callibaetis hatch begins and large rainbows and browns cruise the shallows aggressively.
Productive Patterns
- Callibaetis Sparkle Dun
- Damselfly Nymph
- Soft Hackle
- Elk Hair Caddis
Tips
Fish weed beds and shallow bays early morning when fish are most visible. Float tube or small boat essential. Sight fishing to cruisers is the signature experience.
Water Notes
Lake cold 48–54°F in May. Ice-out typically complete by mid-May. Wind challenging — early mornings are calmest.
June Outlook
Excellent. Multiple hatches including Callibaetis, Caddis, and PMDs draw large fish to the surface. Extraordinary dry fly fishing on calm evenings.
Productive Patterns
- Callibaetis
- Elk Hair Caddis
- PMD
- Midge Cluster
Tips
Protected bays on the north shore produce most consistent hatch activity. Evening prime — fish rise freely 6–9pm on calm days. A float tube is ideal.
Water Notes
Water 52–60°F. Excellent clarity. South-facing bays protected from prevailing southwest wind are most productive.
July Outlook
Consistent callibaetis hatches and the famous Hebgen 'gulpers' rising in the evenings. Damselfly migration creates exciting dry fly opportunities.
Productive Patterns
- Callibaetis
- Damselfly
- Extended Body PMD
- Spruce Moth
Tips
The 'gulping' trout of Hebgen Lake are world-famous — fish sipping the surface film in long, predictable cruising lanes. Lead the fish and present the fly in its path.
Water Notes
Water 58–65°F. Afternoon winds common — plan morning and evening floats.
August Outlook
Peak of Hebgen's surface fishing. Spruce moths appear and produce frantic surface feeding. Evening 'gulper' activity draws anglers from around the world.
Productive Patterns
- Spruce Moth
- Callibaetis
- PMD
- Foam Beetle
Tips
The Spruce Moth fall in August is a signature event. Fish gorge on large land insects when they fall on the surface. Fish lee shorelines during moth fall.
Water Notes
Water 60–66°F. Float tube essential. Wind dies in evening — prime time begins around 7pm.
September Outlook
Continued surface activity and cooling water. Trico spinner falls on calm mornings. Less crowded than August.
Productive Patterns
- Trico Spinner
- Callibaetis
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Midge Cluster
Tips
Trico spinner falls on calm September mornings are spectacular. Fish rise in lanes across open water. Early morning key — the fall is typically over by 9am.
Water Notes
Water 55–62°F and cooling. Wind frequency decreases. Best month for calm, consistent surface activity.
October Outlook
End of surface season but streamer fishing for large browns becomes exceptional as they stage for spawning.
Productive Patterns
- Articulated Streamer
- Woolly Bugger
- Soft Hackle
- Leech
Tips
Work inlet areas and deep drop-offs adjacent to spawning tributaries. Browns stage before moving into streams. Large streamers stripped aggressively produce the biggest fish.
Water Notes
Water 50–56°F and cooling. Fish move to deeper water and stage near inlets. A boat or float tube is necessary.
November Outlook
November marks the final weeks of the Hebgen season as ice begins forming on the shallows. Streamer fishing for large browns continues until the lake ices over. Callibaetis and Trico activity is finished but the big-fish streamer season extends to first ice.
Productive Patterns
- Articulated Streamer
- Woolly Bugger
- Leech
- Soft Hackle
Tips
Fish the deeper water along the north shore on the last open-water days of November. Browns staging near inlet areas are the prime target. Check ice conditions before launching — the lake can ice quickly in cold snaps.
Water Notes
Lake cooling rapidly, 42–50°F. Ice begins forming in the shallows by mid-to-late November. Season ends with first freeze.
December Outlook
Hebgen Lake closes for winter as ice forms. The season is over by early December in most years. A well-earned rest for one of the West's finest stillwater fisheries.
Productive Patterns
- Not applicable — lake freezing
Tips
December on Hebgen is for winter recreation rather than fishing. The lake typically freezes fully by mid-December. Plan your float tube season for May through October.
Water Notes
Lake freezing. Full ice cover by mid-to-late December in most years. Season complete.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callibaetis Callibaetis spp. |
Jul, Aug | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | #14–18 |
|
| Trico Tricorythodes spp. |
Aug, Sep | Aug, Sep | #20–24 |
|
| Midge Chironomidae |
May, Jun | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | #16–22 |
|
| Damsel Coenagrionidae |
Jul | Jun, Jul, Aug | #10–12 |
|
| Hoppers Acrididae / Tettigoniidae |
Aug | Jul, Aug, Sep | #8–12 |
|
Access & Approach
West Yellowstone, MT is the primary base. Multiple boat launches around the lake. Montana fishing license required.
Nearby Fly Shops
- Big Sky Anglers
- Madison River Outfitters
- Blue Ribbon Flies
- The Tackle Shop
- TroutHunt
- Henry's Fork Anglers
Regulations & License
Fishing in Montana requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Montana fishing regulations & license →
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About Current
Hebgen Lake conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
Hebgen Lake is one of 245 hand-curated waters in Current. The app and web forecast also generate AI outlooks for any unlisted river, lake, or saltwater flat anywhere in the world — drop a pin or paste a name and Current produces a fresh seasonal outlook with weather, flow context, and recommended techniques.
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