Yellowstone River
Lower Yellowstone · Livingston to Big Timber
SW Montana, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Brown and Rainbow.
Stream gauge: 06195600. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 05/29/26
At 248 cfs, the lower Yellowstone is surprisingly low for late May — well below typical pre-runoff levels. This creates a brief window before snowmelt hits. Water temp should be climbing toward the 50°F threshold needed for caddis emergence. With today's 85°F high followed by cooler, unsettled weather, expect midday BWO activity when overcast conditions arrive. Focus on deeper runs with nymph rigs and be ready for March Browns if water warms sufficiently — but this low-water opportunity won't last long.
- Flow: 248 cfs — unusually low for late May, creating unexpected opportunity before inevitable runoff spike
- Hatches: BWOs midday during overcast periods; March Browns possible if water hits 52°F threshold
- Water Temp: Warming toward 50°F caddis emergence threshold with today's heat, but cooling trend ahead
- Best Window: Midday during overcast conditions Friday-Saturday; morning nymphing before afternoon wind
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Freestone
- Best months: July–Oct; peak Aug (hoppers) & Oct (streamers)
Below Livingston the Yellowstone transitions from the tight mountain canyon of Paradise Valley into a wide braided valley river flowing through ranch country toward Big Timber. This stretch is warmer and slower than upstream, with deep undercut banks, gravel bars, and long runs that favor big brown trout. Montana's premier hopper-dropper water from late July through September.
Montana's premier hopper-dropper water — grasshopper populations along the agricultural banks are enormous, and brown trout attack foam hoppers with abandon from late July through September.
January Outlook
Limited winter fishing on the lower Yellowstone. Occasional mild days produce on midges and small nymphs near Livingston. Ice shelves form along banks.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge #22
- Pheasant Tail #18
- San Juan Worm #14
Tips
Fish the deeper runs near Livingston on mild afternoons. Midge clusters can bring fish up on warmer days. Short fishing windows — dress warm and fish 11 AM to 2 PM.
Water Notes
Low, cold flows. Water temps 32–38°F. Ice shelf fishing possible.
February Outlook
Similar to January. Short midge windows on warm afternoons. Browns concentrated in deeper runs near the Shields River confluence.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge #22
- Griffith's Gnat #18
- Pheasant Tail #16
Tips
Target the deeper pools and runs where fish concentrate in winter. The Shields River confluence area can be productive. Fish the warmest part of the day.
Water Notes
Flows still low. Water temps 33–40°F. Slow improvement late in month.
March Outlook
Early season stirs on the lower Yellowstone. Skwala stoneflies begin in sections near Livingston. Nymphing remains most productive. Water still cold.
Productive Patterns
- Skwala Dry #10
- Pat's Rubber Legs #8
- BWO Parachute #18
- Pheasant Tail #16
Tips
Skwala activity begins upstream near Livingston and works down. Nymph rigs are most productive but watch for occasional surface feeding on warm afternoons. Water is still cold — fish the warmest hours.
Water Notes
Flows rising slightly. Water temps 38–46°F. Pre-runoff conditions.
April Outlook
Pre-runoff window. BWOs on overcast days provide dry fly opportunities. Nymphing with Pat's Rubber Legs and Pheasant Tails. Flows rising but still fishable most years.
Productive Patterns
- BWO Sparkle Dun #18
- Pat's Rubber Legs #8
- Pheasant Tail #16
- Zebra Midge #20
Tips
Fish mornings before flows rise in the afternoon. BWOs on overcast days are the best dry fly opportunity. The lower section near Big Timber clears later than water near Livingston.
Water Notes
Flows increasing. Water temps 42–50°F. River beginning to color up.
May Outlook
Runoff begins on the lower Yellowstone. River blows out by mid-May most years. Limited to high-water nymphing with heavy weight and streamers. Not prime time.
Productive Patterns
- Woolly Bugger #4
- Pat's Rubber Legs #6
- San Juan Worm #14
- Sculpzilla #4
Tips
High, dirty water limits options. Heavy nymph rigs near the banks and streamers in the dirty water can produce. The lower sections near Big Timber blow out last. Consider other rivers during runoff.
Water Notes
Peak runoff approaching. Water high, turbid, and dangerous. Use caution wading.
June Outlook
Peak runoff through mid-June. River clears from the top down — sections near Big Timber clear last. Late June: Salmonfly hatch possible as it progresses downstream from Paradise Valley.
Productive Patterns
- Salmonfly Dry #4
- Chubby Chernobyl #8
- Elk Hair Caddis #14
- Pat's Rubber Legs #6
Tips
Watch for the Salmonfly front to push downstream from Paradise Valley in late June. The lower sections may still be high when the hatch arrives. Evening caddis begin as the river clears. Monitor flows daily.
Water Notes
Runoff peaking then receding. River dropping and clearing by late June.
July Outlook
The season starts on the lower Yellowstone. Post-runoff clarity returns. Caddis evenings begin. PMDs in the mornings. Water temps climbing — fish mornings and evenings. Hopper season starts late in the month.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis #14
- PMD Sparkle Dun #16
- Chubby Chernobyl #10
- Dave's Hopper #10
Tips
Evening caddis hatches are the highlight. PMDs provide morning dry fly fishing. Hoppers start producing along grassy banks by late July. Fish early and late — afternoon temps push trout off the feed.
Water Notes
Flows dropping to summer levels. Water temps 58–66°F. Fishable throughout.
August Outlook
Peak month on the lower Yellowstone. Hopper-dropper fishing from bank to bank — brown trout attack foam hoppers along cutbanks with abandon. Morning caddis and PMDs. Streamer fishing at dawn in deeper runs.
Productive Patterns
- Dave's Hopper #10
- Chubby Chernobyl #8
- Elk Hair Caddis #14
- Woolly Bugger #6
Tips
This is hopper heaven. Cast foam hoppers tight to cutbanks and grassy edges. Fish mornings and evenings — afternoon water temps can exceed 68°F. Dawn streamer sessions in the deep runs near Springdale produce the largest fish.
Water Notes
Low summer flows. Water temps 62–70°F. Fish early and late to protect fish.
September Outlook
Prime continues on the lower Yellowstone. Hoppers still strong early in the month. Fall BWOs start. Water temps cool and fish feed all day again. Brown trout becoming aggressive as pre-spawn behavior begins.
Productive Patterns
- Dave's Hopper #10
- BWO Sparkle Dun #18
- Woolly Bugger #6
- Elk Hair Caddis #14
Tips
September is outstanding — cooling temps mean all-day fishing returns. Hoppers still produce on warm afternoons. BWOs on overcast days. Streamer fishing improves steadily as browns become more aggressive. Significantly less crowded than August.
Water Notes
Flows stable. Water temps cooling to 54–64°F. Ideal conditions.
October Outlook
Fall brown trout run. Browns from the lower river and from the Shields River tributary staging in the main stem. Streamer fishing at its peak. Late-season BWOs on overcast days.
Productive Patterns
- Woolly Bugger #4
- Sculpzilla #4
- BWO Parachute #18
- Pheasant Tail #16
Tips
October is prime streamer season — swing big patterns through the deep runs at dawn and dusk for trophy browns. BWO dry fly fishing midday on overcast days. Cooler weather thins crowds dramatically. This is the lower Yellowstone at its finest for big fish.
Water Notes
Flows dropping. Water temps 46–56°F. Pre-spawn browns active.
November Outlook
Late season on the lower Yellowstone. Hardy anglers find excellent nymphing and occasional BWO activity on mild days. Post-spawn browns still present in deeper runs.
Productive Patterns
- BWO Parachute #18
- Pheasant Tail #16
- Zebra Midge #22
- Pat's Rubber Legs #8
Tips
Fish the deeper pools and runs on mild afternoons. BWOs still hatch on warmer overcast days. Nymph rigs are the most consistent producers. Dress warm — November in Montana means winter is arriving.
Water Notes
Flows low. Water temps 38–48°F. Cooling rapidly toward winter.
December Outlook
Winter conditions on the lower Yellowstone. Midge fishing on warm days near Livingston access points. Very short fishing windows.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge #22
- Griffith's Gnat #18
- Pheasant Tail #18
Tips
Limited to mild days. Target the deeper runs near Livingston where fish concentrate. Midge clusters on warm afternoons. Fish noon to 2 PM for the best window.
Water Notes
Winter flows. Water temps 32–38°F. Ice forming along margins.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis spp. |
Apr, Oct | Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov | #18–22 |
|
| March Brown Rhithrogena morrisoni |
May | Apr, May | #12–14 |
|
| Caddis (Mother's Day Grannom) Brachycentrus occidentalis |
May | Apr, May | #14–16 |
|
| Salmonfly Pteronarcys californica |
Jun | May, Jun | #4–6 |
|
| Pale Morning Dun Ephemerella inermis |
Jul | Jun, Jul | #16–18 |
|
| Caddis Hydropsyche spp. |
Jun, Jul | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | #14–16 |
|
| Skwala Stonefly Skwala americana |
Mar, Apr | Mar, Apr | #10–12 |
|
| Trico Tricorythodes spp. |
Aug | Jul, Aug, Sep | #20–24 |
|
| Grasshopper Melanoplus spp. |
Aug | Jul, Aug, Sep | #8–12 |
|
Access & Approach
Float access from Livingston to Springdale, Grey Cliff, and Big Timber. Wade access limited — floating is the most productive method on this wide, braided reach.
Nearby Fly Shops
- Fly Fish Montana
- Sweetwater Fly Shop
- Dan Bailey's
- Yellowstone Angler
- Montana Angler
- Bozeman Fly Supply
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
Yellowstone River 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.
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