It is late summer here in Montana and we are seeing a variety of conditions. Overall streamflows are lower than average, but with a few cold fronts that have moved through with just the right amount of moisture and cooler weather, our main rivers are fishing well and producing plenty of big fish. Mountain freestone rivers and creeks are fishing well, including the waters in the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park.
Our spring creeks and tailwaters like the Missouri River and DePuy's and Armstrong's spring creeks are still producing fish on hatches of PMDs but that is slowly changing to terrestrials and/or subsurface nymph rigs. The Missouri River is fishing a little more consistent than the spring creeks as by August the hatches on the spring creeks begin to dwindle. Morning and evening caddis on the Gallatin River is providing action and the spruce moths are primed to provide some great dry fly fishing. The Lamar, Slough Creek, Soda Butte, and the Yellowstone River in the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park are perhaps the best place right now for regularly consistent dry fly fishing for the walk-and-wade angler or the DIY angler. For floating rivers, our Montana Fly Fishing Guides are sticking to the Yellowstone or Upper Madison Rivers.
Southwest Montana Fishing Reports Overview
- Very Good
Our local rivers are hanging in there for our late summer final push before fall sets in. Sure, we are having a low-water summer but we've also had cold fronts with moisture move through regularly and our main fisheries are producing some great fish. On most of our rivers, the aquatic hatches are...
Yellowstone River Fishing Report
- Very Good
Even with the warm temps and low water, the mighty Yellowstone River is still a great option for fishing. The nights are cooling down enough that water temps are still providing a long window during the day for the trout to feed. The hopper bite is just starting and should improve in the coming...
Upper Madison River Fishing Report
- Very Good
Flows are just about normal and the water temps are staying nice and cool...so the fishing on the Upper Madison has been very consistent. The dry fly fishing has been hit or miss with PMDs, caddis, spruce moths, and the occasional hopper getting looks, but the nymphing has been consistent and the...
Lower Madison River Fishing Report
- Fair
Still warm water temps especially in the afternoon. Intrepid anglers could fish early in the morning and get in their fishing before Hoot Owl restrictions start.Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Madison River - from Hebgen Reservoir to upstream...
Gallatin River Fishing Report
- Very Good
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Gallatin River - from Amsterdam Road to the confluence with the Missouri River starting July 17. This is one of the better options for DIY anglers right now for anyone wanting some good walk and wade fishing. The...
Montana Spring Creeks Fishing Report
- Good
Things on the spring creeks are slowing down for sure as the PMD hatches are dwindling. Terrestrial fishing is OK with beetles and ants for those anglers willing to stick with it. Make sure to have patterns from size 18-24 and also imitations of the nymph, emerger, cripple, dun and spinner as the...
Stillwater River Fishing Report
- Good
Flows on the Stillwater River were dropping close to 600 CFS before we had some decent rain with the latest round of thunderstorms. At these lower flows, floating is still an option but it is a little more technical than it usually is. The fishing is most a mix of dry-dropper fishing along with some...
Boulder River Fishing Report
- Very Good
The Boulder River is low and gin clear right now flowing around 150 CFS and holding steady at 150 CFS. This is a near-impossible level for floating anything larger than a one person pontoon or kayak. However, this is a good level for walk-and-wade fishing. Quality boots and relatively good physical...
Jefferson River Fishing Report
- Fair
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the entire Jefferson River - from the confluence of the Big Hole River and Beaverhead rivers to the Missouri River. Temperatures were measured at the USGS gage (06026500) near Twin Bridges. Water temperatures exceeded...
East Gallatin River Fishing Report
- Fair
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the lower East Gallatin River - from Penwell Bridge Road to the confluence with the West Gallatin River at Nixon Bridge near Manhattan starting July 17. Temperatures were measured at DNRC gage 41H 08900 near Manhattan...
Missouri River Fishing Report
- Very Good
Flows on the MO have dropped to around 3500 CFS but that is still a great level. Weed growth is starting but that hasn't kept the big fish from feeding. There are still some caddis and PMDs that are bringing some pods of fish to the surface. but not like it was a month ago or during the peak of peak...
Ruby River Fishing Report
- Fair
Even with high flows on the Ruby River it still remains under Hoot Owl restrictions on the lower Ruby River - from the confluence with the Beaverhead River to Duncan District Road starting July 10. The Ruby can be a nice option in summer with lots of pale morning duns to keep trout well fed. The...
Montana Lakes Fishing Report
- Fair
Current Conditions: On the smaller private ranch lakes that we target trout have moved into the deeper, colder water. The larger lakes like Hebgen and Ennis can also be productive when the wind isn’t blowing too hard. The Month Ahead: The fishing may pick up in late July when the second brood of...
Small Streams Fishing Report
- Good
August can be one of the best months of year to fish many of our small streams...just be sure to pick streams that are in the mountains or in Yellowstone National Park. There are a lot of options near Big Sky and Bozeman and these are good options to get away from it all and find some off the beaten...